For years, the big record companies have been trying to impose a performance fee on local radio stations. When a station’s content is provided over digital platforms, they pay both the songwriters and performers. However, for music played on traditional free over-the-air radio, stations pay songwriters, not the performers. In return, stations provide performers with more than $2.4 billion in publicity, thereby helping record sales and concert attendance. Moreover, the music is provided to the public for free.
Despite this arrangement, the recording industry insists on pushing legislation that would impose a performance fee on radio stations. As a result, for the past decade, we have lobbied for the Local Radio Freedom Act. This legislation is not an “act” per se. Rather, it is a legislative vehicle to register Congress’s intent not to pass legislation imposing a performance fee on local radio stations.
So far, in the House of Representatives, the Local Radio Freedom Act (H. Con. Res. 12) has 148 co-sponsors.
This bipartisan support includes the following members of the NY Congressional delegation.
Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]
Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]
Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]
Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1]
Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]
As we go to press, the Senate version of the bill, S. Con. Res. 8, has 22 co-sponsors. We are working to increase support for this bill.
In addition, NYSBA, along with all state broadcasting associations, has signed a joint letter urging Congress to pass the Local Radio Freedom Act. You can see the letter here.