Instructions for Completing the Web Version of
ASCAP's Blanket Annual Report

The first section of the report to be completed is for the name and title of the person filing the report, account number and choice of document format. Adobe Portable Document Format viewed with plugin is the default.

Account Number. A 7 digit number beginning with a 2 letter state code. (i.e., AL -12345-6-7). The account number must be completed. You can locate your account number on your statements, or call your ASCAP representative (800) 99-ASCAP.

Returned Document Format. Adobe PDF "Form Data File" (FDF) saved to disk. When opened, this file will load your data into an online version of the PDF form that can then be printed or saved. Must be opened with Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher.

Reporting Period. Reports must be on a calendar year basis. If you are reporting a full year choose the year (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003). If the report covers less than a full calendar year, insert the exact period covered, using four digits for the year, in the applicable boxes (i.e., format must be mm/dd/yyyy).

Type of Station. Indicate whether the report is for AM or FM station.

Call Letters and Address Block. Please insert the call letters, licensee name and address in the spaces provided.

Accounting Method. Indicate the accounting method used. Cash basis of reporting may only be used if (1) the station's books have been kept on a cash basis; (2) the station had a license agreement with ASCAP for the period ending February 28, 1977 and (3) the station had reported to ASCAP on a cash basis during the entire term of that license agreement and continuously thereafter. If the report is on a cash basis, deductions for bad debts, rate card discounts and advertising commissions do not apply and must be not taken.

Brokered. If station is brokered by another station, enter call letters. Check box if all revenue is to be reported by the broker.

IF YOU HAVE CHECKED THE BOX,
click SUBMIT FORM now.

Other Stations Covered by Report. If the report covers other stations under common ownership with the station (AM/FM stations in the same city with combined gross revenue less than $75,000, or stations that simulcast the reporting station at least 80% of the time they are on the air concurrently), indicate the call letters in the column ("Co-owned stations"). If the report includes revenue (all or part) for other stations for which the station acts as a time broker, indicate the call letters in the column ("Time Broker for").

The rest of the report form is for computation of your license fee. Please note that an 11% standard deduction is incorporated in the fee. Itemized deductions may be taken over and above 11% of Adjusted Gross Revenue, if timely submitted in accordance with Paragraph 9.F. of the license. The line numbers refer directly to the report form. Line numbers not in sequence relate to those calculations automatically made online. The final report contains the complete form.

Line 1 and Line 3. GROSS REVENUE (Par.5.J.) If your Gross Revenue is $150,000 or less, complete line 1. If your gross revenue is over $150,000, complete line 3.
Be sure to include all of the following: all cash billings to sponsors, and all cash amounts paid by or on behalf of sponsors, for the use of your broadcasting facilities whether paid directly to you or to anyone else in your direction; all cash amounts that are received for programs that are simulcast on other stations that have blanket license agreements with ASCAP which are under common ownership with your station of for which your station acts as a time broker; all cash amounts received from donors or contributors; all cash payments received from wholly independent time brokers who each provide programs for less than 10% of your broadcast time, and independent companies that deal with radio and televisions stations generally for the resale of broadcasting facilities (known as "barter" companies); all cash amounts received from networks and other program suppliers that are wholly independent of your station whether licensed by ASCAP or not; all cash amounts received from third parties (other than for programs or commercial announcements) for the direct or indirect promotion of their business by your station less those out-of-the-ordinary costs that would not have been incurred without the promotional activity ("net promotional revenue"). If your station operates or is under the same or substantially the same ownership, management or control as a sports or other occasional network, you must include all amounts paid by or on behalf of the network's sponsors. If your station acts as a time broker for one or more other stations you must include all cash amounts you receive for such other station(s) that have blanket licenses with ASCAP. If such other stations have ASCAP per program licenses, you must apportion any simulcast or combination revenue between the stations provided in the "Time Brokerage Amendment Letter." If your station is sold in combination with any station that does not have this form of blanket license you must apportion the combination revenue between the stations as provided in Par. 9.H. Do not include merchandise or services received from sponsors in lieu of cash.

Line 4. ADVERTISING AGENCY COMMISSION (Par. 5.I.(1)). Total advertising agency commission is not to exceed 15% actually allowed to agencies that are wholly unrelated to the station.

Line 5. POLITICAL REVENUE (Par. 5.I.(2)). Enter the cash amounts received for candidates and issues appearing on election ballots.

Line 6. LESS: AGCY. COMM. INCLUDED IN ADVERTISING AGENCY COMMISSIONS. Enter any advertising agency commissions on political revenue that are included in the amount reported on line 5.

Line 8. BAD DEBTS. (Par. 5.I.(3)). Enter bad debts actually written off. Do not deduct any reserve or provision for bad debts.

Line 9. LESS: BAD DEBT RECOVERIES. Enter all bad debt recoveries.

Line 11. RATE CARD DISCOUNTS (Par. 5.I.(4)). These may only be deducted if actually allowed and if the gross amounts before discount are included in Gross Revenue in Line 3.

IF YOU DO NOT ITEMIZE DEDUCTIONS,
click SUBMIT FORM now.

IF YOU ITEMIZE DEDUCTIONS:

Line 22. NEWS SERVICES (Par. 5.J.(2)). Enter the actual costs paid by the station to independent suppliers of general news services (such as AP or UPI) and specialized news services (such as weather, traffic, business or agricultural reports).

Line 23. REMOTE PICK-UPS (Par. 5.J.(3) (a)). Enter the amounts paid to the telephone company or like transmission utility for the remote pick-up necessary to broadcast a local program from a point outside the studio.

Line 24. BROADCAST RIGHTS (Par. 5.J.(3) (b)). Enter the amount paid for broadcast rights for a sports or special event.

Line 25. OTHER. Enter, and specify as "Unlicensed Network Payments" the following amounts actually paid to a wholly independent network not licensed by ASCAP for a specific local program (Par. 5.J.(4)): the full amount paid if the network is owned by a College or University; only the amounts paid for talent, right and lines (not to exceed the amounts actually paid to the original rights holder or transmission utility) if the network is not owned by a College or University.

If your station operates or is under the same or substantially the same ownership, management or control as a sports or other occasional network not licensed by ASCAP, and if you have included in Line 3 all payments made by or on behalf of sponsors of the network as set forth in the instructions for Line 3, you may deduct payments made by the network to its affiliated stations, and payment for talent, right and lines, but not to exceed the amounts actually paid to the talent, the original rights holder or transmission utility (Par. 5.J. (5)).

DEDUCTIBLE COMPENSATION (Par. 5.J.(1)) Enter the Names of Personnel and the total compensation paid to personnel whose duties primarily are acting as (a) master of ceremonies or disc jockey on musical programs, (b) vocalists or instrumentalists engaged for a specific program, (c) featured newscaster and news commentator, (d) featured sportscaster, (e) master of ceremonies on an entertainment program, or (f) announcer.

If you need additional space, click on the ADD ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL button.

Click SUBMIT FORM

ASCAP Radio Licensing