The dispute means that some nine million Australians no longer have access to local broadcasts via their computers, smartphones and tablets from nearly 200 regional radio stations, although one commercial network, Southern Cross Austereo, is currently streaming its metropolitan broadcasts regionally.
According to Commercial Radio Australia (CRA), the PPCA has demanded that radio stations make two payments per song played – one when a track is broadcast and a second payment for the same track when it is played via internet simulcast – effectively meaning that the same content will be levied twice.
