Warner/Chappell Signs Multi-Year Licensing Agreement with Pandora

Pandora has signed its third direct deal with a music publisher in recent weeks. Today’s announcement (Dec. 15) of Warner/Chappell Music’s multi-year licensing agreement follows last week’s (Dec. 8) deal with SONGS Music Publishing and last month’s (Nov. 5) deal with Sony/ATV.

Warner/Chappell Music’s direct publishing deal will make available its catalog of musical works, creating business benefits for Pandora, while modernizing compensation for Warner/Chappell Music and its songwriters in the U.S.

“It is Warner/Chappell’s top priority to make sure our songwriters are prospering both creatively and commercially, and that the value of their music is properly recognized,” said Jon Platt, chief executive officer, Warner/Chappell Music. “We look forward to seeing our songwriters benefit from this new agreement with Pandora.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Warner/Chappell Music, which has represented many of the most talented songwriters for over 200 years,” said Brian McAndrews, chief executive officer, Pandora. “Pandora is proud to be part of their tradition of maximizing the value of music publishing and talent.”

Specific terms of the multi-year agreement are confidential. The royalties paid by Pandora to sound recording owners are not affected by this agreement.

A ruling is expected tomorrow (Dec. 16) affecting the royalty rates Pandora will pay for record label sound recordings over the next five years.