Music Rights for Public Television: What Filmmakers Should Know (Through 2027)
If your film or series is headed for public broadcasting, you might be wondering whether you need to license the music you’ve used. The answer? In most cases, no—not if it’s airing on public television. Here's why.
A Brief History: Why Music Licensing Was Covered
Thanks to President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) was established to support educational and cultural programming across platforms like PBS and NPR. One of CPB’s mandates was to cover music licensing fees—both publishing and master rights—so that filmmakers and producers wouldn't bear that burden when airing content on public media.
For decades, this system allowed public TV to thrive without additional licensing costs falling on individual creators.
What’s Happening Now?
Though recent political shifts have threatened CPB funding, music rights for public broadcasting are still covered—at least for now. According to the latest updates, CPB will continue to pay for music licensing on public television through the end of 2027.
That means:
If your film airs on PBS, your music rights are covered
Both publishing and master rights are included
No separate music clearance fees need to be paid by you (the filmmaker)
What About 2028 and Beyond?
That’s still to be determined. The landscape of public broadcasting funding is always subject to change, especially with political turnover. But for now, you’re in the clear through 2027.
Bottom Line
If you’re producing for PBS or another CPB-backed public broadcaster, you can breathe easy when it comes to music licensing—for now. Just be sure to stay informed as 2027 approaches.
Need guidance on licensing for other platforms or distribution paths? I offer project assessments and consulting to help filmmakers navigate rights with confidence.