WAMU Weighs In On CRB Ruling
The National Public Radio affiliate in the nation's capital is weighing in on last month's Copyright Royalty Board ruling on Internet radio. WAMU, like its parent organization, believes the higher Web royalties set by the three-judge panel will have a negative impact on programming.
WAMU is known for its news and talk format, but it also has a 40-year reputation as a source for bluegrass music. The station offers Bluegrass Country, an online program stream for bluegrass fans that could not be subsidized if the CRB ruling stands, spokeswoman Kay Summers said.
The station already subsidizes up to 40 percent of BluegrassCountry.org’s annual operating costs - costs that would immediately increase by an estimated 47 percent should the ruling remain unchallenged, Summers said. The larger concern is the decision's impact on the community of artists whose work doesn't get mainstream commercial media play, she added.
The CRB agreed to let parties from the proceeding who were unhappy with the outcome petition for reconsideration, and possibly a rehearing. Technology Daily's PM edition has latest details. But the big question is this: What are the chances that Chief Judge James Sledge, Stanley Wisniewski or William Roberts are big bluegrass fans?
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