Don Lichterman

There’s a sound war echoing through South Africa right now, and it has nothing to do with genre clashes or festival feuds. This is about music licensing—and it’s playing out not on stages, but in courtrooms. At the center? A high-stakes legal battle that could redefine how public spaces—from five-star hotels to your neighborhood café—pay […]

At Sunset, we’re all about the rhythm behind the scenes—and this week, the beat’s getting louder in the boardrooms. After months of behind-closed-doors talks, a new agreement between the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and SoundExchange is poised to reshape the way commercial radio stations pay for digital music streaming. Translation? The money flowing to

A new agreement between the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and SoundExchange has been reached, setting royalty rates for noninteractive streaming — including broadcast simulcasts — for the years 2026 through 2030. The key takeaway? Royalty rates are going up, especially for traditional radio broadcasters who stream their content online. 📻 What’s Covered in the

YouTube is once again expanding its suite of creator tools — and this time, it’s putting artificial intelligence in the spotlight. The platform has introduced a new AI Music Assistant within its Creator Music Beta program, aiming to make high-quality, affordable music more accessible for video creators. 🎵 A Smarter Way to Find the Perfect

In today’s digital music landscape, promoting your music on YouTube isn’t just an option — it’s essential. As one of the world’s largest search engines and the go-to platform for music discovery, YouTube gives artists a powerful way to connect with fans, grow their audience, and make a lasting impact. Whether you’re an independent artist

When country legend Garth Brooks made his highly anticipated return to music after a 14-year retirement, he didn’t find the Nashville he once knew. Instead, he found a music scene that felt “gutted” — stripped of the soul and authenticity that once defined it. In a recent interview, Brooks opened up about the emotional and

Time is running out for music creators to speak up about the future of their royalties. With just two weeks left before the April 11 deadline, ASCAP is urging songwriters, composers, and music publishers to submit their comments to the U.S. Copyright Office, which is currently reviewing the effectiveness of Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) like

Sunset Music is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Equinox Media, a leader in the digital fitness space. Equinox+ is a transformative at-home bike and fitness app that gives users access to exclusive fitness content from brands like SoulCycle, Precision Run, HeadStrong, and more. As Equinox Media continues to shape the future of

A new coalition of music licensees, supported by their lobbyists in Washington, is attempting to disrupt the performing rights licensing system that organizations like ASCAP have put in place to ensure music creators are compensated fairly. This group, which includes a small yet vocal number of restaurants, bars, and other live music venues, has expressed

Sunset Music’s Partners for In-Store Play: A Powerful Broadcast Opportunity for Your Music Landing your music on in-store playlists is an incredible way to elevate your music career. In-store broadcasts provide an alternative yet highly effective avenue for music promotion, offering an opportunity for exposure to a wide and diverse audience. As part of Sunset