Low Power FM
The OneMusic Low Power FM broadcast licence gives Low Power FM radio stations access to a world-wide repertoire of music of over 5,000,000 songs from around the world.
Low Power FM broadcasters are broadcasting services whose reception is limited by transmission power (under 1 watt) and reception area. These services can be received on standard radio sets but according to MBIE specifications are available on guard band frequencies only. The Low Power FM licence is for non-commercial stations that use advertising for cost recovery purposes only. The licence allows for limited revenue collection by the broadcaster - up to $10,000 per year.
Download our Licence Guide for more information.
A non-commercial low power radio station (including any associated internet simulcast) with no Gross Advertising Revenue. $272.76 + GST per annum.
A low power radio station (including any associated internet simulcast) with less than $5,000 annual Gross Advertising Revenue. $414.60 + GST per annum.
A low power radio station (including any associated internet simulcast) with between $5,000 and $10,000 annual Gross Advertising Revenue. $611.00 + GST per annum.
The rates above apply for the period 1 July 2021 - 30 June 2022
It's important to note that the OneMusic Low Power FM licence does not include the permission to reproduce music, including production music.
Why does my Low Power FM radio station need a music licence?
I have paid for the music I play, so why do I need a licence?
Is holding a licence to play music a legal requirement?
Yes it is - the Copyright Act (1994) clearly establishes broadcast rights, protecting the rights of music creators. The Copyright Act also outlines the penalties for anyone in breach of the Act. You can access the Copyright Act (1994) here.
Who is OneMusic?
OneMusic is a joint licensing initiative between APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ.OneMusic licenses businesses that use music on behalf of APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ, who return the licence fees collected to music creators – songwriters, composers, music publishers, recording artists and record labels – as royalties.
Both are member organisations, which means that after administration costs all money collected is returned to music creators as royalties.
Where does the money go?
OneMusic is a joint licensing initiative between APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ. OneMusic pays all money collected to APRA and Recorded Music NZ to distribute to their members - songwriters, composers, music publishers, recording artists and record labels.
For background music, licence fees are distributed using a combination of distribution by analogy and direct distribution (for clients using Background Music Suppliers). Licence fees distributed by analogy are distributed using data from commercial radio stations, student, community and iwi radio stations, background music suppliers and television networks.
For live performances, licence fees are distributed based on performance reports APRA receive from live performers, who provide information regarding where they have played, and the songs they performed.
For DJ performances, licence fees are distributed by analogy using data from dance music radio stations, music television and data from collected from Music Recognition devices permanently installed in dance venues.
APRA and Recorded Music NZ are both member organisations, which means that after administration costs, all money collected is distributed to music creators as royalties.
Want to know more? Read the full FAQs here, or call us on 0800 800 663 - we're here to help.