ADDITIONAL FACILITIES FOR SMALL RADIO AND TV BROADCASTERS

14. November 2019.

The Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SCC) and the Organization of Music Authors (OMA) signed an agreement that provides for an additional discount on the minimum rates that local radio and TV stations pay to that association for broadcasting musical works. It is estimated that, thanks to this facility, small broadcasters will save millions of dinars per year.

The OMA welcomed the proposal of the Broadcasting Committee of the SCC’s Creative Industry Association and the RAB Radio Association and introduced additional discounts on the so-called minimum fee. A more detailed billing scale has been established, which is proportionate with the population where radio and TV programs are broadcast, so that local stations in small towns will pay significantly less, said Mirko Prlja, Secretary of the SCC’s Creative Industry Association.

According to the permanent parameter for determining the amount of the minimum fee, the discount for broadcasters in Vojvodina is 10 percent, for the region of Central and Western Serbia 20, and for Eastern and Southern Serbia - 30 percent

The OMA and the SCC agreed on additional discounts on the minimum fee, depending on the number of residents at the beneficiary's seat. Local radio and TV stations broadcasting the program in a place with a maximum population of 10,000 will receive an additional 20 percent discount on the prescribed minimum fees, 15 percent in larger cities, which have between 10 and 30 thousand inhabitants, and a 5 percent discount in the municipalities with up to 100 thousand inhabitants.

The monthly fee to be paid by the radio stations for music broadcasting will be reduced by the agreed percentage, including the existing incentive discount of 50 percent on regular payments, Mr. Prlja said.

Each radio or television station that has grounds for the application of the minimum fee will be granted a 50 percent discount, provided that it has a contract with the OMA, pays the reduced fee within the deadline and submits the lists of broadcasted music works within the prescribed deadlines and form, through the OMA portal.

The OMA’s repertoire consists of music works by local and foreign authors, copyright holders, members of the Association, regulated by the Law on Copyright and Related Rights.

The group of radio and TV stations of the Association of Creative Industries of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce consists of all radio and TV stations in Serbia, which makes it representative.

Source: Business Morning and Coordination Body