[BC] Problems with online radio restrictions

[Tom]

The SoundExchange royalties alone make it extremely expensive - and 
no guarantee that they won't dramatically increase in a few years... 
even using one of the Joint License Groups like Loud City or 
SWCast.  That's part of what's holding up getting RadioXTZ on-line... 
licensing issues, not technical ones.

Roll your own is beyond expensive...

Even with blanket ASCAP and BMI licenses (which DO cover internet 
simulcast of your main RF Out), radio stations must have a SEPARATE 
SESAC license, at the SAME rate as the broadcast one (effectively, 
paying twice for one broadcast of every SESAC-registered song); 
adding in the SoundExchange royalties makes it costly for even RF 
stations to stream.  The RIAA seems to be unaware that they're 
shooting themselves in the foot with the whole "performance royalty" 
issue.  I often think it'd be cheaper for stations, at least in many 
areas - or networks / syndicators - to hire a band / group, and pay 
'em a salary to perform the music LIVE; still have to pay the ASCAP/BMI/SESAC
royalties, but it cuts the RIAA completely out of the loop!



WBRadiolists at aol.com wrote:
>I've already investigated this quite extensively. It's a non-starter.
>Unfortunately, thanks to Congress, the RIAA, and their DMCA, my 
>format cannot work under those restrictions. Unless those insane, 
>draconian rules are changed, it just won't happen. Not with the 
>format I feel compelled to use.
>