This afternoon, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) introduced legislation that would ensure terrestrial radio compensates artists when their performances are broadcast over the air.

This proposed legislation would make sure all radio platforms are treated equally, and pay a performance royalty to artists. Currently satellite radio, cable radio channels, and Internet radio all pay a royalty for the use of music... AM and FM radio receives the only exemption.

"It's just plain wrong for (terrestrial) radio to be allowed to build profitable businesses with growing revenues on the backs of artists and musicians without paying them fairly for it," said singer-songwriter Tom Waits.

"The bottom line here is that radio plays music to attract listeners and bring in advertising dollars," he said.

We all like lists when it comes to sifting through legislature, especially when it involves royalties, so here's a breakdown:

• Small commercial stations would pay $5,000 per year
• Non-commercial stations such as NPR and college radio stations would pay only $1,000 per year
• Stations that make only incidental uses of music, such as “talk radio” stations, would not pay for that music
• Religious services that are broadcast on radio would be completely exempt.

Over 75% of all commercial radio stations and over 80% of all religious stations would be covered through these accommodations.

Of course, the NAB isn't happy, and quickly issued the following statement... complete with colorful holiday references:

"After decades of Ebenezer Scrooge-like exploitation of countless artists, RIAA and the foreign-owned record labels are singing a new holiday jingle to offset their failing business model," said NAB Executive VP Dennis Wharton.

"NAB will aggressively oppose this brazen attempt to force America's hometown radio stations to subsidized companies that have profited enormously through the free promotion provided by radio airplay," he added.

[via Reuters]
Thanks MUSCLE13!

Peter Ferrera and Bob Struble are probably high-fiving each other and pumping their fists in celebration right now, because HD Radio has finally received the recognition it deserves.

The ground breaking technology has received the accolade of being the #1 Digital Media Loser in 2007. Wow, that's simply amazing. Congrats guys!

Struble, of course, is president of the government sanctioned monopoly company iBiquity Digital which supplies the brains behind HD Radio. Ferrara is the president and CEO of the HD Digital Radio Alliance. And I bet they're both stoked when they read beaming recommendations like this one:

"The makers of the radio units themselves cheaped out on the tuners, which have such poor sensitivity, both a beat-up $20 Sony shower radio and a vintage 1941 Zenith kitchen radio bettered them. What good is an HD receiver when you can barely tune into either analog or HD signals? A perfect example of where $200-$600 buys you inferior quality."

Watch the video below where three HD Radios were pitted against an old 1940's Zenith kitchen radio. This is why the technology did so well:

The article does point to Ford's deal with HD Radio though, saying that "HD Radio may get a reprieve as Ford offered to put it in all 2008 vehicles." But that ignores the issue that if your Ford vehicle comes with the SYNC option installed (as it does standard on many of the top-line models), then HD Radio is not available to you.

That's right, consumers would have to remove their Ford SYNC system in order to get HD Radio installed. Pure brilliance.

It still doesn't mean that these badboys won't be flying off the shelves this holiday season though, so naysayers beware! Afterall, the much ballyhooed QVC event reportedly sold an estimated 200 units.

"HD radio risks going the way of 8-track tapes and Quadraphonic Sound records."

Hey... don't forget AM Stereo.

[MP3 Newswire]