Non-music formatted radio stations will get a pass under the proposed performance royalty agreement now under discussion by the NAB Radio Board and representatives of MusicFirst. That's one of the good provisions under a plan that is weeks and even months away from becoming a reality. If this were a baseball game, it's the top of the first inning of a game that could go into extra innings...
Under terms of the plan, stations with incidental music use - news, talk and sports radio would not pay for music. Additionally, religious services - not religious music - would be exempt from music fees. Under the proposed plan, music radio stations will have a tiered rate of 1% or less for all net revenue (roughly $100 million for the industry) which is permanent and can not be adjusted without changing statue or by mutual agreement. Depending on revenue generated by radio stations those fees could range from $100 to over $12,000 annually...
And how does this proposed deal sit with the NAB? "The NAB Radio Board had a full and productive exchange of ideas on the status of discussions with MusicFirst representatives" says NAB EVP Dennis Wharton. Dennis adds "The talks are part of an ongoing dialogue with the board and NAB membership on possible alternatives to pending legislation that would be devastating to the future of free and local radio. No votes were taken at today's board meeting. The board reiterated its strong opposition to the pending bill in Congress, while agreeing that it is appropriate for NAB representatives to continue discussions with MusicFirst. Interested parties will be updated quickly if and when new developments emerge." ...
The NAB will now poll radio for their take on the proposed terms of the royalties agreement and should expect a wide range of emotions from station owners. I hope they don't expect too many favorable comments from those stations that are already on the brink of going under...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1854] Where in the world is Walden?: Henry David Thoreau publishes "Walden" which describes his experiences of living near Walden Pond (MA)...
2.1930] Debuted on this date: Betty Boop flashes those peepers for the 1st time in "Dizzy Dishes", created by Max Fleischer...
3. 1945] Dropping another one: The U.S. drops another atomic bomb -- this time on Nagasaki, 3 days after Hiroshima. About 74,000 are killed and Japan will surrender on August 14th...
4.1969] L.A. blood bath: Sharon Tate and 4 others are found murdered at Tate's residence in Los Angeles. Charles Manson and several members of his cult are later convicted of the horrific murders...
5.1974] Nixon's the one: Richard Milhous Nixon waves goodbye to the White House. He is replaced as president by Gerald Ford...
6.1985] Guilty as charged: A federal judge finds retired Navy officer Anthony Walker guilty of seven counts of spying for the Soviet Union...
7.1995] Death of a musical legend: Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, dies of a heart attack at 53...
8.1997] Not New York's finest: Haitian immigrant Abner Louima is brutalized by NYPD officers after he's arrested following a brawl outside a Brooklyn nightclub. Eventually the city settles with Louima for $8.7 million in the largest police brutality settlement in New York City history...
9.2004] Caged forever: Terry Nichols is sentenced to 161 consecutive life sentences on state murder charges in the Oklahoma City bombing...
10.2008] The laughter ends: Comedian Bernie Mac passes away from complications due to pneumonia. Mac was just 50...
Music Memories:
•1965] #1 on this date: "I Got You Babe" - Sonny & Cher...1978] "Three Times A Lady" - Lionel Richie...
•1969] Released on this date: "Hot Fun In The Summertime" - Sly and Family Stone...1969] "Easy To Be Hard" - Three Dog Night...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Chris Cuomo (40), Gillian Anderson (42), Hoda Kotb (46), Whitney Houston (47), Melanie Griffith (53), Barbara Mason (63), Ken Norton (67), David Steinberg (68), Rod Laver (72) and Bob Cousy (82)...
Timeline Dateline: 28 days until Labor Day and 31 days until the NFL opener (Minnesota @ New Orleans)...
