Local Radio Freedom Act

[Jibguy@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/3/2009 10:21:56 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
madprof@ix.netcom.com writes:

Is this Act going to help stations like WJIB who have been 
required to pay ridiculously fees for music played?
It says "any NEW ...fees",  can this remove fees such have been charged?

No, it won't help WJIB on its existing fees.  However, it will prevent WJIB 
from having to pay new fees along with massive reporting (of all songs 
played) requirements.  The Bill, HR 848, did get amended 3 weeks ago to say that 
stations billing $100k to $500k would have to pay only $2,500.00 in new 
fees.... HOWEVER, things like that could be changed by big-money broadcast 
interests by the time it would have become law.   
 
Record companies were seeking about $3-BILLION from radio..... divide that 
by 14,500 radio stations, and each station pays about $270,000.00 yearly.  
So if small stations were to pay only $2500. or less, then the big FM's would 
have to pay millions.
 
However, at the last minute an attachment to the bill might say.... "small 
stations in small markets would have to pay only $2500. but if its a small 
station in a big market (WJIB), then it is treated like a big FM.  You KNOW 
the NAB will try to do that.
 
Other items in this bill.....  stations billing less than $100k annually, 
would have to pay $1000.  Talk stations would pay nothing for use of song 
bumpers, and non-comm stations have their own rate too.... forget what it was, 
but it was not too much.
 
And one sympathizes for the performers, the way they've been getting 
screwed by the labels over the past 80 years..... but this Bill would only make 
the big artists richer, and the one-hit wonder would still be without any 
significant $$.
 
We in radio can;t claim victory yet.... things could change, but it sure 
looks good. If radio gets lets say 240 House votes, then it will not go to an 
actual vote on the House Floor. Even now, with 220 House member promises 
(non-binding), it still looks pretty good.
 
WJIB and WJTO will present a one hour debate on this in the future..... 
Will be announced on JIB/JTO and also on radio-info.com.  It'll be a real good 
meaty program with arguments from all sides.
 
All the best,
   Bob Bittner
 
 
 
 
**************Limited Time Offers: Save big on popular laptops at Dell 
(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221354145x1201369495/aol?redir=http:%2F
%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B215221161%3B37268813%3By)