Will Internet Radio Really Be Saved?

There's a lot of activity going on on the webcasting world right now, thanks to the hoopla over the new royalty/performance rates.

Someone emailed me earlier this week wondering, basically, do those amounts, which look small on paper, really add up that quickly?

Well, I'm not good at doing math in my head, but I did get a calculator and do some figuring..and it looks like ultimately, a true webcaster would probably pay the equivalent of $1.28 per hour per listener. Hours add up quickly..and stations with hundreds of listeners per day will probably find the costs unsustainable.

Keep in mind..these rates are all about control. It is NOT about choices for the listener; it is NOT about money for the artists, as is the most prominent argument you hear; rather..

It IS about controlling what you hear. It IS about bombarding you with more of the same tired stuff that you, most likely, are getting away from by listening to Internet radio.

I believe it is about the big business boys taking away the Internet radio audience that I, and hundreds of others, have spent the past few years building.
Run us out and take over themselves - mark my words, that IS the plan.

Can this be stopped?

I really don't know. I do encourage all readers of this blog; listeners to ANY Internet radio; and other interested parties to visit SAVE NET RADIO
and take action. They have a number of things you can do. I've done all of them, and I sincerely encourage you to join me.

I've been listening to Internet radio since 2000. I would miss it...but even if it vanishes I won't go back to local stations, since the ones I liked are gone.

If the listening choice is dreck or dreck then maybe a rocking chair on the porch, listening to the birds sing, is a better choice.