CBAA and APRA AMCOS Revolutionise Airplay Reporting with MRT Rollout
We’re excited to announce a significant technological upgrade in partnership with APRA AMCOS. Music Recognition Technology (MRT) will soon be implemented at 100 community radio stations across Australia, ensuring that more Australian songwriters and music creators receive the recognition they deserve. APRA AMCOS grants music licenses and pays royalties to Australasian music creators.
Revolutionising Airplay Reporting
MRT will operate 24/7, vastly increasing the accuracy and detail of airplay reports. This technology will allow APRA AMCOS to track the songs played on-air more effectively and more accurately provide earnings data for Australasian music creators.
The implementation of MRT is a game-changer. It is expected to process nearly nine times more broadcast hours than before, reducing manual reporting requirements, allowing station staff and volunteers to focus on what they do best—creating outstanding programming and connecting with their audiences.
And with stations spanning rural, regional and metro areas and playing a range of genres, this will also benefit many music creators.
Jon Bisset, CEO of CBAA, stated, “Supporting our members is always our number one priority. Time and resources are valuable commodities at community radio stations, so we’re excited to roll out Music Recognition Technology. This will make reporting easier for our stations and provide music creators with more accurate earnings insights.”
APRA AMCOS CEO, Dean Ormston, added, “We are committed to providing the most accurate and transparent earnings insights to our members, and MRT reporting helps us achieve this with efficiency and the latest technology. It’s a win-win for music creators and the radio stations that support Australian music.”
Community Radio and Music
Community radio and Australian musos have a unique connection, with so many artists – including Geelong’s homegrown international success King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – getting their first spin on a local station or from a specialist programmer with a keen ear for unique voices.
Most stations easily exceed the 25 per cent Australian content requirement, with playlists generally featuring 35 per cent upwards, and capital city new music stalwarts Sydney’s FBi clocking in more than 40 per cent and Brisbane’s 4ZZZ greater than 50 per cent. amrap.org.au helps facilitate the valuable partnership of community radio and music by connecting Australian artists directly with community broadcasters. Radio presenters can discover and download new Australian music on the AMRAP platform to play on their programs that artists upload for free.
Will it cost my station more in royalty payments to APRA AMCOS?
No, it will not change the amount paid to APRA AMCOS but will help to streamline the reporting requirements to APRA AMCOS.
FAQs
What is Music Recognition Technology?
Music Recognition Technology (MRT) is an audio matching process whereby audio fingerprints taken from DJ performances are compared to a database of source recordings. APRA supplies promoters or event organisers with a device that connects to the mixing desk, picking up audio fingerprints from the songs played.
This data is processed by DJ Monitor who then provide a detailed report to APRA of song titles and artists played.
How accurate is the technology?
An audio fingerprint is a condensed digital summary of an audio signal used to quickly identify a song. DJ Monitor’s database is frequently updated with new releases by certain Digital Distributors (DSPs), record labels, and publishers. If your song is available for purchase and streaming worldwide, chances are your song’s fingerprint is in their system. However, songwriters can upload their tracks directly to DJ Monitor to ensure their metadata is in their database.
How does it free up time for stations?
The implementation of MRT will likely see an almost nine-fold increase in broadcast hours processed, which means station staff and volunteers will no longer need to manually report on music played.
Will it cost my station more in royalty payments to APRA AMCOS?
No, it will not change the amount paid to APRA AMCOS but will help to streamline the reporting requirements to APRA AMCOS.
What stations is it rolling out to and why?
As a member of the CBAA, MRT will roll out to all stations across Australia. Further details of those reports to be advised.
If my station isn’t on the list, how can we get this?
You will still be able to receive reports from the CBAA. The identified 100 stations is for initial tracking purposes.
Is this related to Code 5 of the Codes of Practice to track the percentage of Australian music at my station?
All stations must comply with the Australian music requirements as set out in the Codes of Practice.
If my station is participating, do I still need to upload track listings for my program?
Yes, you will still need to upload track listings, however, as we start to review MRT reporting and other technologies for your station, we may be able to refine and streamline manual uploads.
Do stations need to pay for this service?
No, this service is a benefit of being a CBAA member.
When is it rolling out?
MRT has already started rolling out. The next APRA AMCOS reporting phase will be run both manually and with MRT to ensure accuracy in the technology with the aim to have all reporting requirements automatic through MRT by the end of June 2025.