RIAA Wants Radio to Pay to Play
Radio broadcasters have always paid royalties for the music they play. Those nickels and dimes go to one of two major collections agencies to later be turned over to composers and publishers. Performers and labels did not get paid royalties because it was assumed that radio, rightfully so, provides promotion for an act and that promotion would sell albums. However, with their finances in free fall, the music industry is looking for whatever rock to squeeze blood from that it can. The latest from the LA Times reports the labels are petitioning congress. The hope to overturn the radio ‘promotion’ exception.
The battle pits the loathsome RIAA against nearly equally dubious media conglomerates like Clear Channel. While I can superficially state that I want the side who will best benefit the artists to win I have a hard time seeing this as anything other than a turf war between two corporate bullies.
