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
Filed Under Radio Resources News
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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
Filed Under Radio Resources News
