7-25-13
As soon as Watt made the announcement he'd be introducing a new tax, NAB Executive Vice President of Communications Dennis Wharton responded, "NAB strongly opposes a new performance tax that would kill jobs at America's hometown radio stations while diverting millions of dollars to offshore record labels. We continue to support private, company-by-company negotiations that are driven by the free market, as is reflected by recent deals between broadcast radio stations and independent music labels." 154 members of Congress have signed on to the Local Radio Freedom Act which is designed to thwart an attempt like Watt's, although there is no timetable for when, or if, that bill will ever come up for a vote.
(7/26/2013 7:07:04 AM)
Mr. Wharton, while I appreciate the quick response, and the fact that a great many on the Hill, at least on the surface, "got our back" out here in small-town radio land.
I don't know how an increase of almost 400% on BMI and ASCAP fees can be considered "fair or free market"...
There was little to no input from stations like ours, but yet we are the ones that get to support the ultimate outcomes on passing of bills, etc.
Sorry, this all smells to me.
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