NJBA Weekly Newsletter Friday, March 16, 2007

Dick Taylor Keeps His Record

The New Market Manager for Clear Channel Tri-State, is Dick Taylor, who has the title of General Manager of the most stations in New Jersey. Dick has worked as General Manager for more New Jersey radio stations than anyone else. As market manager of Tri-State, he returns to New Jersey from Lancaster, PA where he managed two Clear Channel stations.  Dick will be in charge of all four stations in the cluster.  Welcome back, Dick! 

AM Stations, Don’t Change

The FCC released new hours for daytime stations effective, last Monday but then realized that the computer program the changes were based on, was a buggy program and the commission would not be able to fix until at least September. So, it’s back to the original hours, before the new hours were announced. All AM stations need only change for the time difference, not any other reason.  

Oops

QuickNews erred when it announced all analog TV would go dark in February 2008. The correct date is February 2009. We appreciate hearing from New York State’s Joe Reilly and Oregon’s Bill Johnstone for noting this error. 

Payments for Radio Streaming to Increase

The Copyright Royalty Board announced new rates for streaming music via the Internet. These rates are a dramatic increase from the last rate schedule. The last schedule was based on a flat fee; this schedule is based on the number of songs transmitted to the number of listeners. For example, if you have 500 listeners, it is considered one song, broadcast 500 times. Over a five year period, 2006-2010, the rate will increase more than 100%. Congressman Edward Markey, Chairman of the House Telecommunications Sub Committee, called the increase outrageous. The only appeal broadcasters have is to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. These royalty payments are in addition to the payments broadcasters make to ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. The payments are to be made to SoundExchange who have the right and authority to come into individual stations and conduct audits to be sure they are receiving payments  they are entitled to under this royalty scheme. The Royalty Board that sets the rates is an arm of the Library of Congress.  

Save the date….The Mid-Atlantic States Conference is June 4 and 5, 2007 at Caesars Atlantic City. 

Win a Royal Caribbean Cruise:  Do you love the warm weather in November? Well then, join us at the Closing Reception, Club Boombox for a chance to win a nine day Cruise, compliments of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.  That’s right, a Royal Caribbean nine day cruise for two, valued at $1,249.00/person. Sail date: 11/16/07; Destination: Caribbean.  Must be present to win.