Premature Obituary

[Chuck]

Despite my friends who predict the end of Internet radio, I’m pretty well convinced that it is here to stay, and will eventually be a force to be reckoned with. As I started writing this, I was sitting at Gate A-8 at the Seattle Airport. I was checking my email anyway, so I figured I might as well listen to my own radio station. It is easy, since we not only broadcast over the air, but we also stream on line. Sergio Mendez is playing at the moment. Because I already have wireless Internet access, and I was going on line anyway, a little music to drown out the loud people at the gate seems like an good idea. It’s a no extra cost option.

As it works out, some of those emails I was replying to were from listeners who are not only those in the USA, but overseas as well. I think that is miraculous, but not unexpected. Every day, a few people care enough to write and I make it a point to see that they get a reply.

Now some of you say the CRB and RIAA are out to kill Internet radio. Sound Exchange might be that stupid, but I don’t think so. Why would you shut down something that is generating income and has a potential to make a lot more? The new royalty rates will make Internet radio change. I’d bet on that. Some stations will have trouble making the leap to the next step. I regret that, but that’s the way most infant industries work out. That is not unique to broadcasting. How many of you have ever driven a Star, Little, Baker or Scripts-Booth? At one time those were popular cars. Even giants fall. In the land of autos, some notable examples are Packard, Studebaker, Nash and AMC. In broadcasting, even the mighty RCA is no longer with us.

Speaking for my own station, we’ve come to peace with Sound Exchange, at least for now. It is not the deal I’d like. It is not particularly convenient and I think it costs more than it should, but it is workable. We’ve figured out how to deal with it. I think others will too. That’s how things work…..

 

[RadioMan203]

In a way I have to respectfully disagree with you, Chuck. All the RIAA and ClownExchange (oops, SoundExchange) are interested in is growing their own bank account, PERIOD! They have a dismal record (no pun intended) on paying out the collected royalties, thanks to their overly abundant overhead. They have their own lobbyists who beat the drum to make it sound like internet radio is getting a free ride and they should be made to pay dearly for existing on the planet. I fully agree that music should be considered a valued resource, but they should look at the current business model and climate of internet radio and gauge the rates accordingly. They're only interested in raping these stations.

What about the very fact the RIAA claims they can collect royalties for ANY artist, and it's the artist's responsibility to join RIAA (by paying a fee) to collect the so-called collected royalties? I write and play music and I have never given the RIAA permission to collect music royalties on my behalf ... and I never will! I wish someone would present a legal challenge to that - how about an indie station that plays their own band's music - what happens when they get a bill from the RIAA/SoundExchange? I'm sure it's going to happen sooner or later.

At some future point, internet radio will eventually turn into the wasteland that terrestrial radio has become, with only the deep-pocketed big players programming these stations. If you think otherwise you're only fooling yourself. I bet the only stations that will make out are those not based in the US, as I bet their royalty collection agencies have more brains than the jokers of the RIAA. Why don't those idiots go back to their phonograph equalization curve and stop screwing with music! I've given up buying CDs and have gone back to vinyl. If I actually do buy a CD I'll make sure it's a used one - if these poor artists aren't getting their fair share from the RIAA it makes no difference if I buy it new or not.

I know I will give some serious consideration about pulling the plug on my webstream when all this royalty nonsense is said and done. While my station is more of a hobby venture than a full-fledged business, the morons at the RIAA have taken all the fun out of it.

Sorry about the rant, but these clowns really boil my oil!

 

[dbdigital]

Chuck laments what most all of us here lament, that internet radio has such tremendous potential and is just waiting to explode but is held back from doing so by greed, ignorance and government interference and/or inaction.

This is what happens when non-technical people, like politicians and those CRB judges, are forced to make decisions on technical issues. The danger of being influenced by biased data from special interest groups, like the NAB and RIAA, who are perceived as experts is indeed great.

Let's hope Congress makes the right choice on royalty rates for internet radio this year.

db

 

[vsa]

For anyone interested in the music royalty situation, media attorney David Oxenford shows how there can be long term relief for webcasters if there is a move toward a more playing field, which I predict will ultimately happen. Oxenford points out just how steep new music royalties would likely be if terrestrial AM/FM broadcasters get stuck paying music performance royaltes too - unless a more level playing field is established. Congress will re-write copyright law within the next 2 to 3 years. The new rates for satellite radio may serve as a template.

Satellite Radio Music Royalty Reconsideration (urged by SoundExchange) Denied By Copyright Royalty Board - What a Difference A Standard Makes

http://www.broadcastlawblog.com/arc...board-what-a-difference-a-standard-makes.html

 

[Chuck]

In a way I have to respectfully disagree with you, Chuck. All the RIAA and ClownExchange (oops, SoundExchange) are interested in is growing their own bank account, PERIOD!

Most certainly, Sound Exchange / RIAA is in it for the money. I also doubt very seriously that many artists ever see a dime of that money. Still I think Internet radio will grow and eventually prosper. It just takes thinking about ways to work with it. There is still a lot of opportunity out there.

 

[Starbucks]

There is still a lot of opportunity out there.

>>>yes, as long as you don't give Sound Exchange the opportunity to collect from us.

 

[Chuck]

There is still a lot of opportunity out there.

>>>yes, as long as you don't give Sound Exchange the opportunity to collect from us.

Even if you have to pay Sound Excahnge a reasonable fee, there is opportunity. Admittedly, it may take a while for that to happen.

 

[vsa]

There is still a lot of opportunity out there.

>>>yes, as long as you don't give Sound Exchange the opportunity to collect from us.

Even if you have to pay Sound Excahnge a reasonable fee, there is opportunity.  Admittedly, it may take a while for that to happen. 

It may take awhile for that to happen ---- or it may not.

In Congress, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, Howard Berman, will likely be leaving to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee very soon - very unexpectedly. Berman is the congressman who's been strongly pro-RIAA and has also been pushing hard to expand music royalties to include traditional radio. The subcommittee he has chaired is key to the music royalty issue.
 
http://textpattern.kurthanson.com/a...rmance-royalties-may-leave-congressional-post

Next in line, if he takes the job, is Rick Boucher. He's a co-sponsor of the Internet Radio Equality Act!

 

[dbdigital]

There is still a lot of opportunity out there.

>>>yes, as long as you don't give Sound Exchange the opportunity to collect from us.

Even if you have to pay Sound Excahnge a reasonable fee, there is opportunity. Admittedly, it may take a while for that to happen.

It may take awhile for that to happen ---- or it may not.

In Congress, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, Howard Berman, will likely be leaving to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee very soon - very unexpectedly. Berman is the congressman who's been strongly pro-RIAA and has also been pushing hard to expand music royalties to include traditional radio. The subcommittee he has chaired is key to the music royalty issue.

http://textpattern.kurthanson.com/a...rmance-royalties-may-leave-congressional-post

Next in line, if he takes the job, is Rick Boucher. He's a co-sponsor of the Internet Radio Equality Act!

And contrary to popular opinion, Mr. Berman only passably resembles Doc Brown of "Back to the Future".

db

 

[murphmac]

I agree. I have two internet radio stations and can get them on my cellphone. I have a blue tooth device in which you can connect through the car speakers. I drove from Edgewater NJ to Rehobeth Beach Delaware on Monday listening to my stations in the car and there were only about 4 brief dropouts the whole 212 mile trip! I felt like I was listening to Satellite radio. The technology is getting there. A year or so ago, I never would have thought that this was possible!

Jim

Edgewater Radio/Constant Country KRS

 

[dbdigital]

I agree. I have two internet radio stations and can get them on my cellphone. I have a blue tooth device in which you can connect through the car speakers. I drove from Edgewater NJ to Rehobeth Beach Delaware on Monday listening to my stations in the car and there were only about 4 brief dropouts the whole 212 mile trip! I felt like I was listening to Satellite radio. The technology is getting there. A year or so ago, I never would have thought that this was possible!

Jim

Edgewater Radio/Constant Country KRS

This road trip by Fred Jackson is equally amazing. He drove from New York to Washington D.C. listening to internet radio all the way. His device of choice was a Samsung a920 music phone using Sprint's PowerVision 3G service.

Only a couple of dropouts around the Newark airport but the rest of the drive offered dropout-free sound. Fewer dropouts than his XM radio and better audio.

The satcasters and HD Radio crowd now have something new to worry about. Internet radio in the car is definitely a practical reality.

http://tuner2.blogspot.com/2008/01/success-new-york-to-washington-dc.html

db

 

[vsa]

I agree. I have two internet radio stations and can get them on my cellphone. I have a blue tooth device in which you can connect through the car speakers. I drove from Edgewater NJ to Rehobeth Beach Delaware on Monday listening to my stations in the car and there were only about 4 brief dropouts the whole 212 mile trip! I felt like I was listening to Satellite radio. The technology is getting there. A year or so ago, I never would have thought that this was possible!

Jim

Edgewater Radio/Constant Country KRS

This road trip by Fred Jackson is equally amazing. He drove from New York to Washington D.C. listening to internet radio all the way. His device of choice was a Samsung a920 music phone using Sprint's PowerVision 3G service.

Only a couple of dropouts around the Newark airport but the rest of the drive offered dropout-free sound. Fewer dropouts than his XM radio and better audio.

The satcasters and HD Radio crowd now have something new to worry about. Internet radio in the car is definitely a practical reality.

http://tuner2.blogspot.com/2008/01/success-new-york-to-washington-dc.html

db

The satcasters and HD Radio crowd also now have something else that is new to worry about. Internet radio through your HD-TV is definitely a practical reality. Now available at Best Buy.

HP's new MediaSmart TV has Internet radio - no XM, Sirius, AM, FM or HD Radio.

http://h71036.www7.hp.com/hho/cache/366142-0-0-225-121.html?jumpid=ex_R602_go/mediasmart

 

[dbdigital]

I agree. I have two internet radio stations and can get them on my cellphone. I have a blue tooth device in which you can connect through the car speakers. I drove from Edgewater NJ to Rehobeth Beach Delaware on Monday listening to my stations in the car and there were only about 4 brief dropouts the whole 212 mile trip! I felt like I was listening to Satellite radio. The technology is getting there. A year or so ago, I never would have thought that this was possible!

Jim

Edgewater Radio/Constant Country KRS

This road trip by Fred Jackson is equally amazing. He drove from New York to Washington D.C. listening to internet radio all the way. His device of choice was a Samsung a920 music phone using Sprint's PowerVision 3G service.

Only a couple of dropouts around the Newark airport but the rest of the drive offered dropout-free sound. Fewer dropouts than his XM radio and better audio.

The satcasters and HD Radio crowd now have something new to worry about. Internet radio in the car is definitely a practical reality.

http://tuner2.blogspot.com/2008/01/success-new-york-to-washington-dc.html

db

The satcasters and HD Radio crowd also now have something else that is new to worry about. Internet radio through your HD-TV is definitely a practical reality. Now available at Best Buy.

HP's new MediaSmart TV has Internet radio - no XM, Sirius, AM, FM or HD Radio.

http://h71036.www7.hp.com/hho/cache/366142-0-0-225-121.html?jumpid=ex_R602_go/mediasmart

Very nice system.

To a lesser extent, the new Apple TV "take two" offers something similar. Among other features, it can act as an interface between the internet and a HDTV. Basically, anything (audio, video, internet, a PC or content from its internal drive) can be streamed through it to a home entertainment center.

db

 

[dbdigital]

And in a declaration sure to piss off the HD Radio crowd but please those who are into internet radio, Mark Ramsey declared:

"...once you break radio away from radio towers and the stations that serve them, almost anybody can build a "station" and almost anybody can be a radio industry competitor - especially if music is primarily what you're about.

...and, of course, involves not a single terrestrial radio station."


He's referring to FlyTunes a software for iPod Touch and iPhone that allows these devices to tune in and customize web stations. Apparently, FlyTunes will be available for other wireless devices in the future.

http://www.flytunes.fm/FlyTunesDefault.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Ramsey also says,

"What's also interesting about FlyTunes is that it is presented as a "satellite radio-killer." And here you thought that would be HD, right?"

The HD Radio crowd may be blinded by their hatred and fear of web radio but they're powerless to stop it.

db