Is Radio Punishing Artists That Support Performance Royalties?
musicFIRST has filed a formal request with the Federal Communications
Commission, asking that they investigate reports of radio stations
refusing to air musicFIRST ads and withholding airplay from artists who
support the payment of broadcast radio performance royalties. No specific artists were named in the filing, but several sources suggest that U2 is one of those effected.
The bill supporting broadcast performance royalties is facing tough opposition on Congress and the National Association Of Broadcasters is calling musicFIRST's request to the FCC "an act
of desperation".
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I really can’t believe this has gotten so far. Really, the only folks that care are the same ones with their heads in the sand making a land grab for what’s left of the traditional “music industry.” Instead of wasting everyone’s time on something less than rewarding for more than 1% of the industry, spend that energy elsewhere. Radio is dead. If you need any evidence of this check the sale prices for a radio station today in most markets compared to 10 years ago. Clear Channel is having a fire sale yet can’t even give them away. All this ultimately does is hurt community oriented radio – who will probably be the only ones left standing. Who cares?
I agree. Losing revenue in other arenas is not a good enough reason to ask for more money from radio stations.
Artists like Billy Corgan (who testified before congress last year in an effort to support performance royalties) should be spending their time figuring out ways to make money that are based on actual VALUE.