RAIN: Radio And Internet Newsletter: RAIN 01/23: RAIN reader discount for Convergence '09; Pandora ads good for industry?

RAIN 01/23: RAIN reader discount for Convergence '09; Pandora ads good for industry?
·Jan 23, 12:43 PM
Posted by: Michael Schmitt

RAIN READERS ELIGIBLE FOR $100 DISCOUNT AT RADIO INK CONVERGENCE CONFERENCE

Radio Ink’s ConVergence digital media conference in San Jose, featuring keynote speakers Guy Kawasaki, Craig Newmark, and Joe Kennedy, is little more

than two weeks away, and to encourage RAIN readers to attend, the conference is offering RAIN readers a $100 discount from their current $595 registration price. In addition, RAIN publisher Kurt Hanson, who will be moderating a panel on “Interactive Strategies of Radio Companies,” is looking into organizing a dinner meet-up for RAIN readers on Monday night, Feb 10th. To take advantage of the discount offer, contact Radio Ink’s Tom Elmo (tomelmo@radioink.com). If you’re interested in the dinner meet-up, contact Kurt at kurt@kurthanson.com.

LANE: PANDORA ADS WILL BENEFIT INDUSTRY, MAY EVEN HELP ROYALTY DEBATE

While many listeners were reportedly not happy with Pandora’s recent addition of audio advertisements (RAIN coverage here), Jennifer Lane argues that such a move is positive for the Internet radio industry. “This will benefit the evolving Internet radio industry, as one of its

best known players gets serious about contributing to the development of a successful business model for commercial Internet radio,” she writes at her Audio4Cast blog (here). She also notes that it could help the debate of Internet radio royalties, as it helps strike down SoundExchange’s argument that webcasters are not trying to monetize.

REPS PEN LETTER ARGUING FOR RADIO ROYALTIES

Four U.S. Congressmen have sent House colleagues a letter attacking a potential broadcaster-supported

measure that would oppose a new performance royalty for over-the-air radio. Reps. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Howard Berman (pictured, D-CA), Darrell Issa, (R-CA) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), all proponents of a broadcast performance royalty, warned that broadcasters will seek to reintroduce the Local Radio Freedom Act (RAIN coverage here).

The letter from the representatives states that the Radio Freedom Act, “in effect denies performers payment for their work.” They also argue that it, “unjustifiably exaggerates hardship to small stations and public-service offerings.” They push for the “fair and balanced approach” of the Performance Rights Act.

The NAB was quick to respond. NAB executive VP Dennis Wharton stated Thursday, “It is implausible to suggest that a government-imposed bailout of foreign record labels estimated to cost up to $7 billion would not cause serious economic harm to U.S. radio stations.” For more, read R&R’s coverage here.

LAST.FM EXPANDS TO ANDROID

Last.fm announced its expansion to mobile devices running Google’s Android operating system today. Familiar features are included in the Android application, including streaming stations built around an artist or genre, band bios and tour information. A “Background Play” feature is also included, meaning Android users can continue listening to a Last.fm stream while using other applications. For more, read Last.fm’s press release here.

PURE DIGITAL ARGUES FOR DAB OVER INTERNET RADIO

Pure Digital, a DAB and

Internet radio manufacturer based in the UK, recently told Tech Radar that his company sees better short-term potential for DAB radio than Internet radio. “We aren’t really particularly interested in ‘internet only’ radios – radios which are only there for streaming – because we still see that as relatively niche [for] the foreseeable future,” said Pure Digital marketing director Colin Crawford told TechRadar. He notes that it costs more for broadcasters to stream to individual listeners over Wi-Fi than to broadcast digitally, and argues that people “will listen to pretty much the same stations that they do now.” For more, read Tech Radar’s coverage here.

SPACIAL AUDIO TO DONATE NET RADIO TOOLS TO LAID-OFF BROADCAST TALENT

Spacial Audio has announced they’ll provide online broadcasting tools to 50 randomly chosen broadcasters who’ve fallen victim to recent downsizing. Spacial Audio

will give the radio vets a package that includes the SAM Broadcaster v4 automation system, StreamAds ad-insertion software, and stream hosting for a peak audience of up to 500 listeners at 128 kbps for up to five years. (Spacial, however, retains rights to 30% of the station’s ad inventory.) Spacial CEO Bryan Payne said, “It was an easy decision…Internet radio offers a bright horizon for talented people in radio sales, management, and programming.” Details on the Spacial Audio website here.

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