16/07/2025
Troubling developments afoot for public radio, especially for local community stations: https://wapo.st/40PxaHJ
This article outlines the impacts that proposed cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting could have on public radio stations’ ability to license and play music – including global music programming like Radiostoyevsky, music by local artists, and other nonmainstream genres.
“The CPB funding typically covers all music licensing fees for public radio stations. Without the federal money that the CPB receives, those stations would have to negotiate licensing agreements individually beginning next year. (Licensing fees are paid to a handful of organizations that negotiate the rights to play songs on the air on behalf of musicians.) While larger stations like Philadelphia’s WXPN or Seattle’s KEXP might be able to fundraise for the rights to music, all stations — especially ones in small communities — would struggle without the blanket licensing agreement that CPB negotiates.”
If the rescission bill passes, $1.1 billion of funding will be cut from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, limiting public radio’s ability to license music.
