While focusing on the many books now entering the public domain, the linked article also mentions that many songs and movies have also become part of the public domain.
While it is true that a boatload of material entered the Public Domain on January 1st, it doesn't do much for those seeking music. Previously songs written in 1922 and before were public domain. Now it includes songs to 1923. This doesn't do much for people looking for radio programming.
And remember too that that means the SONGS THEMSELVES not ANY recordings or performances of those songs. Basically this boils down to you can use the songs as long as you, or someone you hire, is performing them. It does NOT include any sound recordings of those songs.
However, an interesting quirk in this is that over the air radio still ONLY pays song WRITERS for the rights to broadcast music, so you CAN broadcast songs written up to 1923 by any artist paying no royalties! As the writers copyrights have expired and terrestrial radio pays no royalties to performers. However, you have to remember that if they make a change to the lyrics -- adding a verse -- changing a line, etc then that recorded version of the song is NOT Public Domain. e.g. "Take me Out To The Ball Game" is a PD song. IF you're using the original version. But different verses were added later and those are NOT PD. Bruce Springsteen's version is NOT PD. And to make matters more complicated, if you are STREAMING also then you cannot play PD songs without paying royalties to the PERFORMERS unless of course you're performing them yourself.
So, a baby step in the right direction.
TIB
A lighter look at the matter (and I think I probably posted this here before), On the "Late Late Show" Jamie Fox was a guest and he and Gordon were to sing some songs together, but they had unfortunately blown the budget and couldn't afford the royalties, so they opted to sing songs in the public domain.. here's a video of it:
And you could broadcast this on your station as long as you're not streaming. If you're also streaming you need to pay royalties to the performers. But for terrestrial radio you're covered.*
*At least as far as the song rights are concerned. You'd probably need rights/permission granted from the production company or network in this case. There's always something...
TIB