Music Publishing News Weekly Roundup 8.15.14: Top 10 Publishers, Comments To DoJ, ASCAP Showcase
The Top 10 Music Publishing companies have been announced for the 2nd quarter of 2014. Leading the way with a 32.2% share of the top 100 songs is Sony/ATV. This is an increase from their 31.9% share in the 1st quarter of 2014. The quarterly success of Sony/ATV is partially due to their control of the the EMI Music Publishing catalog as well as country cuts like Miranda Lambert’s “Automatic”. Universal Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell ranked No. 2 and 3 with 15.2% and 14.3%. The 7 companies that followed ranked for the most part the same as the 1st quarter of 2014 with the exception of SONGS and BMG Chrysalis who switched places. Round Hill also entered the list for the first time at No. 7 largely due to their 3x Platinum hit “Best Day Of My Life” by American Authors.
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ASCAP and BMI have submitted Comments to the Department of Justice to review the consent decrees currently in place. In their comments, the PRO’s request that their members gain the ability to withdraw digital rights. This will allow music publishers to negotiate direct deals with music services. They have also requested the ability to collect not only performances rights, but any other rights a member may need (ie. mechanical or synchronization). Lastly, both organizations called for the removal of rate courts from the process, claiming it will be faster and more efficient without them involved. With these comments in place, the PRO’s hope to modernize the system to better serve their songwriters and music publisher affiliates.
ASCAP held a private showcase in Nashville on Tuesday, August 12th to promote their members for CMA Awards voting consideration. The “P.R.O.mote The Vote” invite only event featured performances by Lady Antebellum, Eric Pasley, Dan + Shay and many others. The final votes for this years awards show will commence Friday, August 22nd and the show will air this November.
