by skyvalleyradio » Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:07 pm
I operate a 24/7 Live 365 hobby station with a VERY narrow-appeal format & a small but dedicated group of regular listners worldwide. Some of my monthly fees to Live 365 go toward paying royalties and supporting artist & labels in a fair manner. Since I stream on a US server I am bound by the rules of the DMCA and Live 365 submits royalty payments to the Sound Exchange which handles administration on behalf of ASCAP, BMI, SOCAN, SESAC etc. Fair is fair and I pay my share. However...the RIAA and Sound Exchange have a bill before the US regulators which will crank the fees for Internet broadcasters way up, which will, as you say, virtually wipe out hobby stations and all but the largest broadcasters such as Standard, Rogers, Bore-Us and in the US, Cheap Channel, Entercom, Infinity etc. who can still afford streaming royalty fees. Hobby stations fill a much needed void catering to small, disenfranchised groups of listeners fed up with what's on their terrestial airwaves and wanting something different - much different! I use pro automation/scheduling software & currently maintain a library of 13,000 legitamatly owned MP3 files. I am capable of having VTs, live studio airshifts on the fly, live DJs all over the planet doing shows, & sophisticated programming configuration. Many of the tracks I am playing are by indie artists and those who choose to bypass the big money machine of the RIAA, CRIA and others - instead offering their music to fans via website download purchases or shipped CDs. Most of them are HAPPY to have their music heard and since the RIAA/CRIA don't get a piece of the action, they look down their noses on this alternate/parellel "music industry" Like you, I am waiting for the axe to fall & then I am left trying to determine my next evolutionary step in the world of broadcasting/production/programming etc. I am NOT taking listeners away frrom ANYBODY & spend considerable time & money to operate my station. I cannot think of ANY reason why I am a threat to the Recording assns. or royalty societies & see this as a money grab & control of what is seen and heard on the Internet. Now...if you'll excuse me I have weekend syndicated shows to download, weekend playlists to construct, plus there are 1/2 dozen promo CDs that came in the mail this week that need auditioning! Good luck to ALL of us Internet broadcasters - we need support by those that LIKE what we do!