WXPN Won’t Be The Only One

When faced with over $1 million a year in royalties, WXPN will most likely end their online streams.

The big streamers will get a lot of attention when they close their “doors”, and the little ones will just fade away.  What will be left are the same generic products on Sirius and XM….and Clear Channels Kiss FMs.

Here comes the BOOM! Ready or not.

I can’t agree more with Mark Ramsey on his view of the future regarding streaming and wireless internet.

With wifi covering whole towns internet radio is like an LPFM….without the LP.  Community radio can be community again.  The independent streamers don’t need a tower or a license from the FCC….  The high school can have a station….and so can the elks club, and the donut shop and the bar on the corner.  Everyone has a voice.

Not everyone will want a voice…but those who do, won’t be silence by corporate america, or the FCC.

The Secret

No, I am not talking about the best selling book.  I am talking about THE Secret about streaming royalties to commercial stations…..  THE Secret about HD Radio…..

Sshhhh……

Hear2.com does it again.  This is good info from Mark Ramsey.

It Isn’t Just About NPR!!!

NPR picked up the torch and lead the charge on this issue, so they deserve credit for sure.

NPR is very self centered on this though.  They are protecting NPR.  That’s cool, but this is also about commercial broadcasters that aren’t Clear Channel, or CBS….AND independent Streamers who put out great stations!  90% of the independents will be gone if the RIAA wins this!  Where is the NAB?

Any business that benefits from the web should be very scared and, whether they are in radio or not, should jump in and fight this fight.  This is a battle for freedom on the internet.  This is a battle of David VS Goliath to keep big business from owning everything.  Where is Google when you need them!

RIAA Tries to Silence Radio as CD Sales Plunge

CD sales are in the crapper…..and the RIAA has a plan!

Kill internet radio!  They don’t need new music showcased for music fans who can buy the song AS THEY HEAR IT ONLINE….nah…shoot the messengers.

RIAA Fights Kids, Old Ladies, and Web Streamers

The KGB of the music industry is at it again.  They’ll huff and they’ll puff….

This is from AllAccess.com:

Continuing its efforts to address illegal downloading on college campuses, the RIAA today sent a second wave of 405 pre-litigation settlement letters to 23 universities. The RIAA launched the initiative last month (NET NEWS 2/28).

“This is not our preferred course, but we hope that students will understand the consequences of stealing music and that our partners in the college community will appreciate the proactive role they can play,” said RIAA Pres. CARY SHERMAN. “This is a program about defending our rights and providing the appropriate foundation for the legal marketplace to flourish. The pervasive theft of music on campus networks is nonetheless a shared problem for the industry and universities alike. The more that universities impart the right message to their students and protect the integrity of their computer networks, the less likely their students will be caught and sued for copyright theft.”

RIAA EVP/General Counsel STEVEN MARKS said, “We’re encouraged by the response of universities that are forwarding the pre-litigation settlement letters to students. Not every student will take advantage of this opportunity, but those that do get the benefit of a discounted settlement and no public mark on their record.”

As ALL ACCESS reported yesterday (NET NEWS 3/20), at least one school — the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON — is refusing to forward the settlement letters to its students.

So Much For Protecting the Artists

Turns out the Bay City Rollers are suing their label for unpaid royalties!

They might have been getting hosed for 25 years…..before streaming ever existed!

I am sure the RIAA and all the others got their dough…who knows.