New Ways To Distribute Your Work on PRX

Around the world, online, and for purchase. The world is your oyster.

PRX has introduced a new feature that helps producers offer their programs to other buyers, services, and distribution channels beyond public radio.

Public and noncommercial radio stations in the United States remain the primary users of pieces on PRX, but we have started adding national shows, podcasts, Internet radio, and other organizations who come to PRX and want access to the wonderful work you have put on the site.

We don't just assume you want to offer your work to everyone, so we've created a way for you to opt-in for each new opportunity, after giving you a chance to check out the terms, conditions and amount you'll get paid.

Who Can License My Work?

A growing list of distributors, services and shows, including digital download services like Audible, national shows like Hearing Voices and WBUR's Here and Now, and podcasts like YouthCast, the Nature Podcast, the NPR Station Showcase, and The Economist.

PRX decides which new shows and distributors to add, and only includes ones that offer a good opportunity for producers. And remember: no one can license your work without getting your permission first.

How Do I Give Permission?

When you add a piece to PRX, you'll notice some new options below licensing.

Just click the name of the distributor if you'd like to read about how they would use your work (if they licensed it), and click the box next to any you'd like to give permission to use your piece. Then save as usual.

To manage pieces you've already created, simply log in to PRX and go to the "My PRX" tab, then click the "My Pieces" link on the left to see Distribution Options.

Feeling overwhelmed or simply don't want to bother with all the check boxes? If you're comfortable offering your work to all new distributors (ones currently listed and new ones as PRX adds them), then check the box at the top of the page to default to allowing any distributor to license and use your work. You can override this for any pieces or distributors, so that it's "all pieces except Piece X" or "all distributors except Distributor X. Overall, you can be as picky as you like: allow all your pieces to be licensed by certain distributors, none by others, or on a piece-by-piece basis for any.

What If I Do Nothing?

Or do nothing. If a new distributor is interested in your piece, you'll receive an email asking for you to opt-in to their license terms for that piece. Just click the link in the email to say yes or no.

Of course, it's easier if you've agreed in advance, so that the distributor can access your piece quickly and easily, and so that you are not peppered (hey, we hope) with license request emails.

How Do Distributors License Material On the Site?

If you have a licensing account on PRX, but you are not with a US public radio station, you can browse, listen, and download audition versions of programs on PRX just like stations.

When you're ready to license a piece, just click the license/download link. If the producer has already opted in to your license terms, you can immediately license, download, and use the piece. If they have not opted in to your terms yet, send a request! You can add a personal note if you like, explaining what your group does or how you hope to use their audio.

When the producer responds to your request, we'll send you an email: if they opted in, we'll include a link to immediately license and download the piece.

Wait, What?

Have some questions about how this works? Send us an email at help@prx.org.