56% of music on Internet Radio is from Indie artists

Started by Sarge · 2 posts · 624 views

  1. #1
    Some interesting research supporting the fact that internet radio supports independent artists much more than terrestrial radio does.

    I checked the labels that I play on GR2 and found that out of 199 songs only 4 are on a major label. So I'm playing 98% indie artists 😀


    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    July 25, 2007

    CONTACT:
    Rod Hsiao
    650-345-7400 x122
    [email protected]

    Webcasters Amp Up Independent Musicians

    Foster City, CA—Live365 Inc. recently completed a study of its 2006 Internet radio broadcasts which revealed that nearly 56% of its broadcast music comes from independent artists and labels and not major record labels. This statistic underscores how Internet radio helps promote new, emerging artists while also expanding musical diversity as the AM/FM radio industry consolidates station ownership and play formats.

    Mark Lam, CEO of Live365 pointed out: “Only 10-13% of AM/FM music is from independent artists and labels so we spin FIVE times as much Indie music as AM/FM. Our 10,000 DJ’s are opening up the diverse spectrum of musical genres and artists while AM/FM program formats narrow it. I see this statistic as a genuine reflection of what music DJ’s will play when the choice is driven by what people like rather than profits.”

    (Source: Nielsen BDS; based on 1 week sample of broadcasts from 1,450 U.S. stations)

    The Live365 study further showed that well over 70% of all the unique songs played were from independent artists and labels versus the four major music labels.

    “Clearly, Internet radio clears away a major hurdle for musicians to be heard. With the continued double-digit growth in Internet radio listenership, hopefully more and more songwriters and musicians will be able to use Internet radio to promote their creative works and generate income. That is what Internet radio is all about: bringing together artists and fans using a ubiquitous radio medium.”

    Background on Live365

    Established in 1997, Live365 (www.live365.com) is the world’s largest Internet radio network that hosts nearly 10,000 stations and streams music to more than 5 million listeners a month. Its mission is to make it affordable and easy for individuals to start their own radio stations and share their love for music to listeners around the world. Live365 has gone to great lengths to provide a legal and equitable means to stream music to listeners while paying royalties for the right to do so.

    On March 2nd, 2007 the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) increased sound recording royalty rates which now threaten to bankrupt Internet radio stations. Live365 has joined other Internet radio companies to protest the high and inequitable royalty rates which are significantly higher than the rates levied on other radio media such as satellite or AM/FM radio. Live365 has always paid royalties to songwriters, copyright holders, and musicians and adheres to all applicable laws.
    _________________
    Monty
    Marketing Manager, Live365

  2. #2
    And that folks is the real reason the RIAA wants to make Internet Radio so cost prohibitive that only major radio outlets will even consider broadcasting.

    Don't fool yourself, they know exactly what they are trying to do and why.....