With the rise of Internet radio, The Wheel’s Still In Spin is introducing a new weekly feature. Every Monday, we list the recent online news articles about the future of Internet radio.
Obama, Congress to Legislate Net Neutrality, Copyright Rewrite in ‘09
Daily Tech reports on the upcoming President’s and Congressmembers’ media initiatives. “In the case of web radio, the Democratic congress may seek to reform copyright laws so as to encourage lower rates for small internet radio stations, who can't afford big licensing fees like offline radio stations. Michael Petricone, senior vice president for government affairs of the Consumer Electronics Association, says that the music industry, in its greed, is missing out on this possible abundant source of income. If it were to compromise and agree to lower rates, a boom of web casters would arise and be allowed to grow, leading to a lot of revenue. He states, ‘They will be the future of the industry if they're allowed to thrive. Let's not cook the golden goose.’”
Public Broadcasters Agree to Web Music Royalties
From the Associated Press: “Traditional AM and FM [public] broadcasters are currently exempt from copyright royalty rates for over-the-air radio play since — under the logic of the current law — 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.
“The National Association of Broadcasters, which represents those traditional stations, said it looks forward to sitting down with SoundExchange ‘to craft equitable streaming rates that enhance the online music experience and expose more artists to our listeners.’”
Is the Perfect Storm Approaching?
In an interesting commentary on the current state of radio, RadioWorld’s contributing editor Skip Pizzi makes some very valid points. “Programmers should listen to lots of Internet radio and see what's working there. Managers should be open to new ideas, and if none are forthcoming from current staff, be open to the hiring of new people. As we've said here before, ‘Manage Change or Change Managers.’
“Remember, the moves that originally made FM successful were taken reluctantly, as well. At the time, those new ideas flew in the face of common wisdom, but broadcasters' backs were against the wall, and some of them took some chances that ended up paying off big. The stakes may be even higher today, but the clock is moving faster, too.
“Clearly, change is needed if radio is to thrive in the years ahead. These changes need to take place on both the business and the programming fronts, with new content on traditional and emerging platforms driving new revenue opportunities. Improving bottom lines have a way of making the other clouds lurking overhead (like debt ceilings) seem less foreboding.”
Indie Radio Station Goes Internet-Only, Back to Roots
Following in the footsteps of WOXY (albeit for different reasons), LA’s Indie 103.1, which was named best radio station in the US by Rolling Stone, has “stop[ped] broadcasting over the radio and go[ne] Internet-only.”
TargetSpot Partners with Eight Radio Groups
FMQB reports, “TargetSpot, Inc. the nation’s largest Internet radio advertising company, announces partnerships with eight radio networks, including Air America Media, Millennium Radio, Access 1 Communications, Sandusky Radio, Stephens Media Group, Simmons Media Group, Ocala Broadcasting and BlogTalkRadio. The new additions include national talk radio networks and stations in regions throughout the country.”
New WiFi Radios/Devices:
Grace Digital
Sherwood
VTech
New iPhone apps:
BreakThru Radio “Live Studio”
Slacker
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Fri 1/30:
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’s first (of probably many under almost as many monikers) of the year. Here are The Wheel’s Still In Spin’s suggested new releases.
