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UPDATE: Proposed radio fees could mean less music, fewer stations

Radio Station Fees (Added: May 28, 2009)

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UPDATE: Proposed radio fees could mean less music, fewer stations

A resolution (H.R. 848) working through the House of Representatives could affect the music on your favorite radio station.

By Larry Collins
Published: May 28, 2009

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A resolution working through the House of Representatives has many in the radio industry worried and it could affect how much music you hear on the radio and possibly force some stations out of business.

House Resolution 848 (H.R. 848) would charge stations higher fees or royalties to play music. It could cause such a financial burden that some stations could have to cut back on the number of songs played.

Chris Johnson, General Manager of Apex Broadcasting on Daniel Island, says the effects could be felt locally in the Lowcountry as well.

Apex is preparing to launch a new radio station, more fees could affect how many new employees they could hire.

For smaller local stations, the fear is that the resolution, if passed, would drive them out of business.

The fees would go to the recording industry. Recording companies say the money would trickle down to the artists who perform the songs as well as backup singers.

Radio stations already pay fees to organizations who represent songwriters and composers.

LINK: Response from Rep. John Conyers who sponsored The Performance Rights Act.