Commercial Radio Reproduction Tariff 2027–2029

Summary#

The Commercial Radio Reproduction Tariff (2027-2029) is a new tariff published by the Copyright Board on July 11, 2026. It sets monthly royalty rates and reporting rules that commercial radio stations in Canada must follow when they reproduce music, sound recordings or performers’ performances, including when they simulcast their over‑the‑air signal online.

What it does#

• Sets who must pay and what the tariff covers:
  • Applies to commercial radio stations for reproducing music in the repertoires of CMRRA, SOCAN, CONNECT/Panorama and performers represented by Artisti. It also covers simulcasts for certain rights.
• Defines how royalties are calculated:
  • Uses a station’s “gross income” (income tied to the station’s broadcasting activities) and splits income into three brackets: the first $625,000, the next $625,000, and the rest.
  • Different percentage rates apply depending on whether a station is a “low‑use” station and whether it is a French‑language station.
• Low‑use stations — rates if the station is NOT a French‑language station:
  • On first $625,000: CMRRA 0.0882%, SOCAN 0.0018%, CONNECT/Panorama 0.089%, Artisti 0.002%.
  • On next $625,000: CMRRA 0.1695%, SOCAN 0.0035%, CONNECT/Panorama 0.171%, Artisti 0.003%.
  • On the rest: CMRRA 0.2832%, SOCAN 0.0058%, CONNECT/Panorama 0.287%, Artisti 0.006%.
• Low‑use stations — rates if the station IS a French‑language station:
  • On first $625,000: CMRRA 0.0495%, SOCAN 0.0405%, CONNECT/Panorama 0.089%, Artisti 0.002%.
  • On next $625,000: CMRRA 0.0952%, SOCAN 0.0778%, CONNECT/Panorama 0.171%, Artisti 0.003%.
  • On the rest: CMRRA 0.1590%, SOCAN 0.1300%, CONNECT/Panorama 0.287%, Artisti 0.006%.
• Regular (not low‑use) stations — rates if the station is NOT a French‑language station:
  • On first $625,000: CMRRA 0.1989%, SOCAN 0.0041%, CONNECT/Panorama 0.201%, Artisti 0.005%.
  • On next $625,000: CMRRA 0.3900%, SOCAN 0.0080%, CONNECT/Panorama 0.396%, Artisti 0.008%.
  • On the rest: CMRRA 0.8095%, SOCAN 0.0165%, CONNECT/Panorama 0.822%, Artisti 0.017%.
• Regular stations — rates if the station IS a French‑language station:
  • On first $625,000: CMRRA 0.1117%, SOCAN 0.0913%, CONNECT/Panorama 0.201%, Artisti 0.005%.
  • On next $625,000: CMRRA 0.2189%, SOCAN 0.1791%, CONNECT/Panorama 0.396%, Artisti 0.008%.
  • On the rest: CMRRA 0.4543%, SOCAN 0.3717%, CONNECT/Panorama 0.822%, Artisti 0.017%.
• Reporting and payments:
  • Stations must pay royalties and report each month — no later than the first day of each month.
  • Reports must include gross income for the “reference month,” simulcast figures (listeners and listening hours if available), and a sequential list of every music use for each day (full daily music logs, covering 365 days per year).
• Records, audits and penalties:
  • Keep repertoire records for six months and gross‑income records for six years.
  • Collective societies can audit records; if royalties were understated by more than 10%, the station must pay audit costs within 30 days.
• Other rules:
  • Late payments incur interest calculated daily at 1% above the Bank Rate (Bank of Canada), non‑compounding.
  • Confidentiality rules allow sharing of station information among the collectives, Re:Sound, service providers (with confidentiality agreements), and the Copyright Board where appropriate.

Who's affected#

• Commercial radio stations in Canada — especially those that:
  • Broadcast music and sound recordings over the air.
  • Stream their over‑the‑air signal online (simulcast).
  • Are subject to the low‑use test or the regular rate tables (the tariff defines how to classify them).
• Rights holders and their organizations: CMRRA, SOCAN, CONNECT/Panorama, Artisti, and Re:Sound — they will receive reporting and royalty payments.
• It is not explicitly aimed at non‑commercial community stations in the text; the tariff language refers to commercial radio stations.

Why it matters#

• Financial impact: Stations will pay monthly royalties based on income brackets. The exact bill depends on station size, language, and how much music they play.
• Administrative impact: Stations must keep detailed daily music logs and submit monthly reports. That increases record‑keeping and reporting work, especially for smaller stations.
• Online simulcasting: Stations that stream their broadcast online must report simulcast use and may owe additional royalties.
• For artists and rights holders: The tariff clarifies how royalties are calculated and distributed, which can affect how much rights owners receive.