Many radio services now broadcast online, whether as a simulcast of an AM/FM, DAB broadcast or as an online-only service, and require a PPL licence in order to include commercial sound recordings in their broadcast.
The PPL licensing scheme for non-interactive online radio services is based on a rate-per-track-per-stream model whereby every time one user streams one sound recording broadcast in the service, the rate is applied and the licence fees accumulate.
The 2009 rate-per-track-per-stream for non-interactive online radio services is £0.00058 sterling (0.058 pence)
The licensee is required to pay an advance upon commencement of the licence (and each subsequent licence year) that is then applied against the cumulative licence fees.
There are two PPL online radio licences available – the PPL Small Webcaster Licence for small-scale services (hobbyists etc.), and the PPL Standard Webcaster Licence. Both licences are based on the same rate-per-track-per-stream licence model as outlined above, but the level of advance and reporting requirements differ slightly between agreements.