Telephone industry offers valuable lesson for radio.

[dbdigital]

"However for ONE satellite company to be formed, it requires a change in the "competition" arena. A change in a law that affects radio that RADIO DOES NOT REALLY WANT. because of that, it is reasonable to look for some type of mitigation. Do I lke the mitigation chosen? Not particularly, but it is creative. remember the "NEW "Siriurs/XM will have no national compteitors."



Actually the satcasters have a very "Sirius" competitor and it isn't terrestrial radio. It's internet radio.

If you don't believe me check out the website for this new service:

http://www.flytunes.fm/

It's free software designed to turn an iPhone or iPod Touch into an internet radio. But what's interesting is that the presentation shows the XM and Sirius logos be dumped in the trash. The implication is clear. You don't need satellite's 100 channels at $12.00 a month when you can have internet radio with it's thousands of channels for nothing.

This is fear-inducing for the satcasters but it's great for terrestrial radio.

Broadcasters need to reach listeners where they "live." If it's with a radio receiver then they have that covered but if it's with a cell phone, a handheld or an office computer than that is where broadcasters need to be also. During the recent California fires KNX radio had it's greatest spurt of listener growth ever. But people were not tuning in on their AM receivers, they were listening by web.

Putting internet radio down is just so much pissing into the wind and denying that a growing segment of the population is listening to "radio" by that means. Terrestrial broadcasters can and should be on the web and give satellite radio a real run of its money.

db

 

[vsa]

However for ONE satellite company to be formed, it requires a change in the "competition" arena.  A change in a law that affects radio that RADIO DOES NOT REALLY WANT. because of that,  it is reasonable to look for some type of mitigation.  Do I lke the mitigation chosen?  Not particularly,  but it is creative.  remember the "NEW "Siriurs/XM will have no national compteitors.
Actually the satcasters have a very "Sirius" competitor and it isn't terrestrial radio.  It's internet radio.

If you don't believe me check out the website for this new service:

http://www.flytunes.fm/

It's free software designed to turn an iPhone or iPod Touch into an internet radio.  But what's interesting is that the presentation shows the XM and Sirius logos be dumped in the trash.  The implication is clear.  You don't need satellite's 100 channels at 12.00 a month when you can have internet radio with it's thousands of channels for nothing.

This is fear-inducing for the satcasters but it's great for terrestrial radio.

Broadcasters need to reach listeners where they "live."  If it's with a radio receiver then they have that covered but if it's with a cell phone, a handheld or an office computer than that is where broadcasters need to be also.  During the recent California fires KNX radio had it's greatest spurt of listener growth ever.  But people were not tuning in on their AM receivers, they were listening by web.

Putting internet radio down is just so much pissing into the wind and denying that a growing segment of the population is listening to "radio" by that means.  Terrestrial broadcasters can and should be on the web and give satellite radio a real run of its money.

db

Amen. Well put. Radio needs to be EVERYWHERE we can find listeners. Why limit yourself to a tower and transmitter? Why?

If you need another why not, click on the link below, let the flash video load up, and watch what else is coming this year.

http://www.xohm.com/xohm.swf

 

[Radioman100]

Amen. Well put. Radio needs to be EVERYWHERE we can find listeners. Why limit yourself to a tower and transmitter? Why?

If you need another why not, click on the link below, let the flash video load up, and watch what else is coming this year.

http://www.xohm.com/xohm.swf

And just think, you'll be able to listen to all the news you can find via that technology because nobody will be able to afford the CRB rates for music!

 

[dbdigital]

Amen. Well put. Radio needs to be EVERYWHERE we can find listeners. Why limit yourself to a tower and transmitter? Why?

If you need another why not, click on the link below, let the flash video load up, and watch what else is coming this year.

http://www.xohm.com/xohm.swf

And just think, you'll be able to listen to all the news you can find via that technology because nobody will be able to afford the CRB rates for music!

Well, you've said more than once that terrestrial broadcasters can compensate for any additional fees charged (such as the upcoming performance royalty) by simply adjusting ad rates. So, whatever additional fees broadcasters are charged for webcasting should be covered in the same way (along with internet advertising). After all, the satcasters pay some of the highest royalty fees for music ever charged and they're still here, albeit just barely.

Besides, the issues surrounding the CRB rates for web radio are far from settled as bills are being pushed through the House and Senate. 2008 should be a very interesting year for webcasters.

db

 

[vsa]

Amen. Well put. Radio needs to be EVERYWHERE we can find listeners. Why limit yourself to a tower and transmitter? Why?

If you need another why not, click on the link below, let the flash video load up, and watch what else is coming this year.

http://www.xohm.com/xohm.swf

And just think, you'll be able to listen to all the news you can find via that technology because nobody will be able to afford the CRB rates for music!

Well, you've said more than once that terrestrial broadcasters can compensate for any additional fees charged (such as the upcoming performance royalty) by simply adjusting ad rates. So, whatever additional fees broadcasters are charged for webcasting should be covered in the same way (along with internet advertising). After all, the satcasters pay some of the highest royalty fees for music ever charged and they're still here, albeit just barely.

Besides, the issues surrounding the CRB rates for web radio are far from settled as bills are being pushed through the House and Senate. 2008 should be a very interesting year for webcasters.

db

The Associated Press reported last month that XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio will pay a performance license rate of 6 percent of certain revenue for 2007 for sound recordings played over its network, according to a Copyright Royalty Board decision. The decision sets the rates for the next six years (2007-2012). Under the terms of the new deal, the companies will pay a performance license rate of 6% of specific gross revenues that are subject to fees for 2007 and 2008, 6.5% for 2009, 7% for 2010, 7.5% for 2011 and 8% for 2012.

The new satellite radio rates are something Internet radio streamers can live with. The Internet Radio Equality Act calls for a 7.5% of revenue rate. So politically and practically, the stage has been set for a workable solution. An upcoming re-write of copyright law is likely to unify all "radio" services under a similar standard or umbrella.

So Radioman100's dream that Internet radio will die someday due to unworkable CRB rates is just that. A dream.

 

[Radioman100]

No vsa, that's reality. Every time the webcasters battle the RIAA, they lose.

As far as Congress intervening is concerned, please keep in mind all the really important issues they've failed to act on. Outrageous prescription drug costs that force our seniors to choose between drugs and food is but one of them.

Congress won't even offer relief when the issue is literally life and death. What makes you think they're going to rescue webcasters?

 

[vsa]

...Congress...What makes you think they're going to rescue webcasters?

(1) Because all of the major radio groups, including your employers, are webcasters.

(2) There has already been movement on the issue behind-the-scenes. Remember, as you've said, I've been talking with well-placed members of Congress.

For the rest, look up and read reply #24 again.

 

[Radioman100]

I'll believe it when I see it. Until then, it's idle speculation.

If AARP, the biggest lobbying organization can't do anything about prescription drug costs in America, a few behind the scenes webcasters have little hope.

 

[vsa]

"However for ONE satellite company to be formed, it requires a change in the "competition" arena.  A change in a law that affects radio that RADIO DOES NOT REALLY WANT. because of that,  it is reasonable to look for some type of mitigation.  Do I lke the mitigation chosen?  Not particularly,  but it is creative.  remember the "NEW "Siriurs/XM will have no national compteitors."



Actually the satcasters have a very "Sirius" competitor and it isn't terrestrial radio.  It's internet radio.

If you don't believe me check out the website for this new service:

http://www.flytunes.fm/

It's free software designed to turn an iPhone or iPod Touch into an internet radio.  But what's interesting is that the presentation shows the XM and Sirius logos be dumped in the trash.  The implication is clear.  You don't need satellite's 100 channels at $12.00 a month when you can have internet radio with it's thousands of channels for nothing.

This is fear-inducing for the satcasters but it's great for terrestrial radio.

Broadcasters need to reach listeners where they "live."  If it's with a radio receiver then they have that covered but if it's with a cell phone, a handheld or an office computer than that is where broadcasters need to be also.  During the recent California fires KNX radio had it's greatest spurt of listener growth ever.  But people were not tuning in on their AM receivers, they were listening by web.

Putting internet radio down is just so much pissing into the wind and denying that a growing segment of the population is listening to "radio" by that means.  Terrestrial broadcasters can and should be on the web and give satellite radio a real run of its money.

db

Here's another item with photos at CES that the folks at Orbitcast are worried about. AM/FM/Internet Radio/Slacker that will list for as little as $99.

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/ces-rca-infinite-radio-internet-radios-with-slacker.html

Our friend Mark Ramsey is also talking about it.

http://www.hear2.com/2008/01/radios-next-evo.html

By the way, Slacker is one of a growing number of services that have signed private direct deals with record companies, bypassing the CRB royalty rates.

HD radio is completely missing from this and similar radios.

 

[scanman1]

"However for ONE satellite company to be formed, it requires a change in the "competition" arena. A change in a law that affects radio that RADIO DOES NOT REALLY WANT. because of that, it is reasonable to look for some type of mitigation. Do I lke the mitigation chosen? Not particularly, but it is creative. remember the "NEW "Siriurs/XM will have no national compteitors."



Actually the satcasters have a very "Sirius" competitor and it isn't terrestrial radio. It's internet radio.

If you don't believe me check out the website for this new service:

http://www.flytunes.fm/

It's free software designed to turn an iPhone or iPod Touch into an internet radio. But what's interesting is that the presentation shows the XM and Sirius logos be dumped in the trash. The implication is clear. You don't need satellite's 100 channels at $12.00 a month when you can have internet radio with it's thousands of channels for nothing.

This is fear-inducing for the satcasters but it's great for terrestrial radio.

Broadcasters need to reach listeners where they "live." If it's with a radio receiver then they have that covered but if it's with a cell phone, a handheld or an office computer than that is where broadcasters need to be also. During the recent California fires KNX radio had it's greatest spurt of listener growth ever. But people were not tuning in on their AM receivers, they were listening by web.

Putting internet radio down is just so much pissing into the wind and denying that a growing segment of the population is listening to "radio" by that means. Terrestrial broadcasters can and should be on the web and give satellite radio a real run of its money.

db

Here's another item with photos at CES that the folks at Orbitcast are worried about. AM/FM/Internet Radio/Slacker that will list for as little as $99.

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/ces-rca-infinite-radio-internet-radios-with-slacker.html

Our friend Mark Ramsey is also talking about it.

http://www.hear2.com/2008/01/radios-next-evo.html

By the way, Slacker is one of a growing number of services that have signed private direct deals with record companies, bypassing the CRB royalty rates.

HD radio is completely missing from this and similar radios.

That radio looks pretty cool. And, being a fan of Slacker and streaming radio in general, would be a great addition to my already big collection of radios (Analog, HD Radio and other internet radios).

The portable HD radios being unveiled look pretty cool as well. 8)

 

[vsa]

That radio looks pretty cool. And, being a fan of Slacker and streaming radio in general, would be a great addition to my already big collection of radios (Analog, HD Radio and other internet radios).

The portable HD radios being unveiled look pretty cool as well. 8)

Here's a YouTube video of Audiovox President Tom Malone describing the first RCA Infinite Radio - the first of multiple models:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1Mk7EU9goY

 

[vsa]

[On Congress ammending the Copyright Royalty Board's Internet radio rates...]

I'll believe it when I see it.  Until then, it's idle speculation. 

If AARP, the biggest lobbying organization can't do anything about prescription drug costs in America, a few behind the scenes webcasters have little hope.

Breaking news...

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!

 

[vsa]

When CBS purchased Last.fm in May, 2007, they signalled that they do not plan to make a Western Union style mistake.

Well, you're right about that. They signalled they're making a dot com boom/bust style mistake instead.

You will not want to read about the "mistake" you say CBS is making with Last.fm.

http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,90895.0.html