Internet Radio In Danger?

For those of us who have become… ahem… frustrated with the trend towards consolidation and conservative playlists at regular, over-the-air “terrestrial” radio, the internet has been a life-saver. Whether it’s random amateur stations, AOL’s XM-assisted collection of channels, or ghosts of once-terrestrial frequencies like WOXY, internet radio has offered a whole world of musical choices. But all that could be in jeopardy. Music blog Idolator has pointed out that new royalty rates just decided on by the Copyright Royalty Board would put most internet broadcasters out of business.

Full disclosure: I’m an employee of LIVE 105 (CBS Radio), and we, like all stations, pay fees to the record labels for broadcasting their music. The fee structure is such that (most) stations can continue to be profitable businesses. But as Business Week points out, the new rates for internet stations could add up to over 100% of revenue. That doesn't sound very profitable. The kind of unfortunatetly-titled website Save Our Streams has been set up in anticipation of the coming internet radio silence (perhaps they could also double as a prostate-health awareness site?) and has links to a variety of news stories on the issue.

So, what’s a new music junkie to do? Allow me to suggest the apparently unregulated world of podcasts! It seems nuts, but there’s a whole section on iTunes full of free – and great -- new music, and if you’re like me, the promise of listening to a new DJ mix on the iPod is the only thing getting you to the gym in the morning. Check these out:

And Did We Mention Our Disco?
Currently featuring electro DJ sets from the excellent Simian Mobile Disco and Rory Philips

Stones Throw
The LA hip-hop label’s got a short-but-sweet tribute to J Dilla

Mad Decent
Diplo’s eclectic selections from Baltimore House to Baile Funk

Erol Alkan / Club Trash
The world’s premier electro-skronk DJ and remixer features recent sets from himself and guests at his ground-breaking london club night

Beatport Burners
The online dance music store features the biggest tracks of the moment

See if those don't give you an extra jolt of energy on the treadmill...

Comments

You missed something - original content would not be subject to all these royalties in most cases.

Posted by: Mr. Bill on 03/09/07 at 11:11 AM Respond

Here's another good podcast:

Stuck in the 80s:
http://www.stuckinthe80s.net
or

https://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZFinance.woa/wa/subscribePodcast?id=81501666

Posted by: Dr. Bob on 03/10/07 at 2:52 PM Respond

Regarding original content, well, sure, as with anything, if you're just making it up, then there's no royalties. So, my internet station featuring me strumming a harpsichord 24 hours a day will not be subjected to the new fee structure. Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief!

Posted by: Party Ben on 03/12/07 at 1:11 PM Respond

Leave it to an employee of LIVE 105 to make that oversight. Actually, you might hafta more fully explain what is "original" content to anyone who thinks VILE 105 or WOXY sounds like some kinda breath of fresh air.

Posted by: Rick Ele on 03/16/07 at 11:12 AM Respond

Hey now. No need to make this a referendum on my place of employ. We all got jobs, unless we ain't got jobs. And as far as "original content" goes, cute joke, but the point is that those of us who like to listen to actual music online might be interested in how the new fees might affect our favorite internet stations, I think, whether or not someone else thinks our choices are "fresh air."

Posted by: Party Ben on 03/22/07 at 6:59 PM Respond