Important Notice: Effective January 15, 2019, the U.S. Music Royalty Fee has increased from 19.1% to 21.4% of the price of those plans.

Details about the U.S Music Royalty Fee are provided below.

1. Why does SiriusXM Radio pay music royalties?

Music royalty rights were established by Congress and are the product of the Copyright Act. Unlike terrestrial radio, SiriusXM is required to pay copyright music royalties to recording artists, musicians and recording labels that hold copyrights in sound recordings (the actual recording of a work). Like terrestrial radio, SiriusXM must also pay music publishers who hold copyrights in musical compositions (or the lyrics and music) through their collective organizations such as ASCAP and BMI. The U.S. Music Royalty Fee offsets royalties payable by SiriusXM to composers, publishers, recording artists, musicians and record labels that hold copyrights in musical works and recordings.

2. Why did the U.S. Music Royalty Fee Change in 2019?

This fee changed in large part as a result of Congress' decision to pass the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act. That law, effective January 15, 2019, sponsored by the music industry, increased again the royalties payable by SiriusXM to composers, publishers, recording artists, musicians and record labels.

3. How much is the U.S. Music Royalty Fee?

Your fee may vary depending on the package and billing plan you have chosen and the number of subscriptions on your account. We may adjust the U.S. Music Royalty Fee from time to time to reflect changes in our royalty costs. In addition, since the U.S. Music Royalty Fee is a factor calculated upon the price of your subscription package, in the event that the price changes, the U.S. Music Royalty Fee will change accordingly. For our current U.S. Music Royalty Fees, click here.

4. Who benefits from the U.S. Music Royalty Fee?

The U.S.Music Royalty Fee funds existing and anticipated royalty payments to the music industry, which includes writers and artists.

5. How is the U.S. Music Royalty Fee calculated?

The U.S. Music Royalty Fee was 19.1% of the subscription price for plans that include musical performances and is based on the entire subscription price of the plan you purchase. Starting January 15, 2019, the U.S. Music Royalty Fee increased from 19.1% to 21.4% of the price of most audio plans* which include music channels.

6. Do all SiriusXM subscribers pay the same U.S. Music Royalty Fee?

The fee for your specific subscription will vary based on the package and billing plan you have chosen and number of subscriptions on your account.

7. When will I pay the U.S. Music Royalty Fee?

If applicable, the U.S. Music Royalty Fee is automatically added to the cost of your subscription, along with any state and local taxes we are required to collect based upon your address.

8. Is the U.S. Music Royalty Fee applied to activations and other fees?

No.

 

*The fee did not increase on Streaming Platinum and Latino y Mas plans. Plans that are not charged the U.S. Music Royalty Fee include News, Sports, & Talk, Traffic, Travel Link, Weather, Marine Weather, and Aviation Weather.