TVMLC began measuring music performances in local television in 2005 and has continued these surveys periodically through 2016. These surveys are based on a statistical sampling of local station programs to determine the size and changes in audience weighted minutes of music and are critical for our negotiations and any required litigation with the PROs.

These studies use a randomly selected station sample as the basis for calculating the value of performances in local television. Your cooperation in helping us gather data for this survey is greatly appreciated.

TVMLC is responsible for allocating the industry-wide ASCAP, BMI and SESAC blanket license fees negotiated by TVMLC.  The allocation methodology, which is subject to a Federal Court’s review, is based on a combination of television market size and individual audience ratings within each market. THESE MONTHLY CHARGES ARE GENERALLY CALCULATED ON A CALENDAR YEAR BASIS.

IN ADDITION TO THE ANNUAL MONTHLY ALLOCATION OF THESE FEES, THE TVMLC CALCULATES AN ASCAP ADJUSTMENT APPLICABLE TO DECEMBER OF EACH YEAR.  THAT ADJUSTMENT REWARDS STATIONS THAT FULLY SUPPORT THE COMMITTEE THROUGH CONTRIBUTIONS.  THIS COURT APPROVED ADJUSTMENT IS DESIGNED TO EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTE THE COST OF OPERATING THE COMMITTEE AMONG ALL OF THE STATIONS THAT QUALIFY FOR THE INDUSTRY WIDE LICENSES NEGOTIATED BY THE TVMLC.  CHARGING ADDITIONAL FEES TO THOSE STATIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE LESS THAN THE INDUSTRY AVERAGE FUNDS THE ASCAP CREDITS TO THOSE STATIONS THAT EXCEED INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTION AVERAGES.