The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (NASCAM) has started with its annual royalty payments to its members on Monday. This was revealed to NBC News by NASCAM chief executive officer (CEO) John Max. “A total royalties collection for music used on NBC Radio and TV in 2018 was over N$ 1,7 million. For this year NASCAM has received about N$900 000 from NBC in order to pay the royalties to local members,” said Max. He added the amount received from NBC this year is lower compared to the one received last year. The NASCAM CEO further explained that he is cognizant of the fact that NBC is going through financial difficulties and says that he is expecting a further drop for the year 2020 royalty pay-outs. The low payment by NBC, which has the biggest broadcast footprint in Namibia, is attributed to the austerity measures implemented by the national broadcaster in September. NASCAM will pay out royalties to 2 187 members and the highest-paid artist has received N$30 000 and the lowest paid artist to receive about N$1. The total royalties amount for the Namibian artists is N$923 305.66 and the remaining amount, which is slightly over N$800 000 will be distributed to artists in South Africa, the United Kingdom and the USA. NASCAM will have its annual general meeting (AGM) this weekend at NASCAM office in Windhoek.