Should Radio Stations Have to Pay Performers for Airing Songs?
That's the question soon to be in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. On August 4, a hearing will be held on a bill that would mandate that radio stations pay performers when their songs are aired on the radio.According to variety.com: "The House Judiciary Committee passed a similar bill to levy a royalty on radio stations on a 21-9 vote in May. That bill includes a tiered system based on the revenue of stations and whether it is a commercial or public broadcaster. AM and FM stations pay songwriters and publishers when their music is played, but not performers."
Radio stations already pay royalties to organizations like ASCAP and BMI which collect money and distribute it to composers, songwriters, lyricists, and music publishers. Stations have often argued that the exposure on radio is payment enough to artists who benefit from increased CD and digital sales.
But, now some performers are suggesting it's never been adequate and the system needs to be changed so they are dealt a fairer hand.
What is clear during this economic downturn is this: radio stations are already struggling with decreased advertising revenue and any further pressure on their bottom line will surely be detrimental and possibly lethal to some operations.
Posted on July 27, 2009
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Should Radio Stations Have to Pay Performers for Airing Songs?
That's the question soon to be in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. On August 4, a hearing will be held on a bill that would mandate that radio stations pay performers when their songs are aired on the radio.According to variety.com: "The House Judiciary Committee passed a similar bill to levy a royalty on radio stations on a 21-9 vote in May. That bill includes a tiered system based on the revenue of stations and whether it is a commercial or public broadcaster. AM and FM stations pay songwriters and publishers when their music is played, but not performers."
Radio stations already pay royalties to organizations like ASCAP and BMI which collect money and distribute it to composers, songwriters, lyricists, and music publishers. Stations have often argued that the exposure on radio is payment enough to artists who benefit from increased CD and digital sales.
But, now some performers are suggesting it's never been adequate and the system needs to be changed so they are dealt a fairer hand.
What is clear during this economic downturn is this: radio stations are already struggling with decreased advertising revenue and any further pressure on their bottom line will surely be detrimental and possibly lethal to some operations.
Posted on July 27, 2009
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Satellite Radio Deemed ‘Tech Flop’ by CNET Reviews
CNET Reviews has published a slideshow called "The decade's 25 biggest tech flops" and Satellite Radio comes in at #7.According to CNET Reviews "The concept was great, but the business model was suspect: Even with commercial-free music stations and coast-to-coast coverage, how many people are willing to pay for radio after getting it free for so long?"
You can see the rest of CNET Reviews' flops by visiting reviews.cnet.com.
Posted on July 21, 2009
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NYC’s WQXR-FM to Change Owners not Format
At least that's the story as reported by the online version of The Wall Street Journal.The New York Times, which owns the classically-formatted WQXR-FM, has agreed to sell it to Univision Communications' radio division for $45 million dollars.
According to The Wall Street Journal: "WQXR was founded in 1936 as the U.S.'s first commercial classical station. The FM station signed on in 1939 and both were sold to New York Times in 1944."
Fan of the Longhairs? Classical Music Online and Beyond
Posted on July 16, 2009
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Sarah Palin Visits ‘Firearms Friday’ Radio Show
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin appeared on a radio gun show called "Firearms Friday" which airs on KFAR, Fairbanks.The soon-to-leave-office Palin was in Fairbanks to sign a gun rights bill and joined other guests to talk guns including avid 2nd Amendment advocate, hunter, and rocker, Ted Nugent.
KFAR is at 660 AM and features conservative talk programming like Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and Dennis Miller. You can listen online at www.kfar660.com.
"Firearms Friday" is hosted by Michael Dukes. You can learn more by visiting his blog firearmsfriday.blogspot.com.
More: Montreal DJs Prank-Call Governor Sarah Palin
Posted on July 13, 2009
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Former Radio Talk Show Host Russ Martin Given Probation
That's according to Emily Tsao at the Dallas News' Crime Blog. "It's two years probation for former radio talk show host Russ Martin who pleaded no contest to assaulting his 27-year-old fiancee..."Some of the comments being posted:
"He nearly kills his fiancee and all this violent animal gets is probation?" - Keith
"he didn't lose his radio show due to the criminal charges. he lost his radio show because all of the "Free" stations owned by CBS radio across the U.S. changed format to sports radio." - doubts
"Even with the ratings Martin had prior to this no one wanted to be associated with his show. Strip bars, booze stores, and divorce lawyers were his main advertisers." - SeeYa
"Probation? Wow. Where does this clown live? He needs to be taught a lesson." - Joey
"CBS canceled the show, but is so afraid of Russ that they would rather pay him out his contract than risk him destroying them in the ratings!" - MTC
Posted on July 11, 2009
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Is HD Radio a Farce?
That's the opinion of "PocketRadio" who posted in the radio.about.com forum and said in part:"In authorizing HD Radio, the FCC ignored the disastrous interference potential of HD Radio/IBOC, and also tried to cover-up the interference from BPL to amateur radio! HD Radio is a farce!"
What say you? Have you listened to HD Radio? Have you purchased an HD Radio receiver? Is it overblown or over-criticized? Weigh in now...
Posted on July 9, 2009
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Internet Radio Saved - for the Moment
According to a story from the Associated Press: "The future of Internet radio appears more secure after a handful of online stations reached an agreement Tuesday to head off a potentially crippling increase in copyright royalty rates."Negotiations over the past two years between owners of Internet radio stations and music copyright holders has provided a framework which will allow webcasters to provide streaming audio and still adhere to royalty demands.
The AP article points out: "Traditional AM and FM broadcasters are exempt from copyright royalty rates for over-the-air radio play, because that airplay is thought to provide free promotion for artists and labels. But the broadcasters are subject to the new rates for any songs streamed over radio station Web sites."
Background: New Royalty Rates Announced for Webcasters
Posted on July 8, 2009
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Internet Radio Saved - for the Moment
According to a story from the Associated Press: "The future of Internet radio appears more secure after a handful of online stations reached an agreement Tuesday to head off a potentially crippling increase in copyright royalty rates."Negotiations over the past two years between owners of Internet radio stations and music copyright holders has provided a framework which will allow webcasters to provide streaming audio and still adhere to royalty demands.
The AP article points out: "Traditional AM and FM broadcasters are exempt from copyright royalty rates for over-the-air radio play, because that airplay is thought to provide free promotion for artists and labels. But the broadcasters are subject to the new rates for any songs streamed over radio station Web sites."
Background: New Royalty Rates Announced for Webcasters
Posted on July 8, 2009
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Casey Kasem Leaves ‘American Top 20′
This past weekend one of Radio's most famous deejays, Casey Kasem, now 77, informed his listeners of "American Top 20" that it would be his last program.Kasem originated "American Top 40" on July 4, 1970 and hosted the show until it was taken over by Ryan Seacrest in 2004.
Kasem went on to host two spinoffs, "American Top 20" and "American Top 10".
In a statement Kasem said, "...this decision will free up time I need to focus on myriad other projects."
Of course, he may be as famous for the The Casey Kasem "Dog Dedication" Outtake. (NSFW)
Posted on July 7, 2009
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Casey Kasem Leaves ‘American Top 20′
This past weekend one of Radio's most famous deejays, Casey Kasem, now 77, informed his listeners of "American Top 20" that it would be his last program.Kasem originated "American Top 40" on July 4, 1970 and hosted the show until it was taken over by Ryan Seacrest in 2004.
Kasem went on to host two spinoffs, "American Top 20" and "American Top 10".
In a statement Kasem said, "...this decision will free up time I need to focus on myriad other projects."
Of course, he may be as famous for the The Casey Kasem "Dog Dedication" Outtake. (NSFW)
Posted on July 7, 2009
Filed Under Radio Resources News | Comments Off
