NAB exec testifies in Senate as radio royalty argument grinds on

"The historic argument on the broadcast side is that radio play sells records. That legacy rationale loses currency in a world where recordings are streamed and largely monetized via subscriptions to streaming platforms. The news now is that Hinton will testify today before the Senate Judiciary Committee. A point of argument is the American Music Fairness Act, a longstanding piece of proposed legislation which would establish radio royalties similar to how streaming platforms pay for record use."

"Radio Ink also got hold of Hinton's prepared testimony, which will emphasize a long-running argument from the broadcast side - that radio offers promotional value to musicians, and furthermore is a lifeline during emergencies. That last argument has been used across many years of courtroom controversies around this issue, seemingly seeking to exempt radio from this royalty because of its unique importance as a national emergency system."

Henry Hinton, an NAB Board director and lifelong broadcaster, will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee arguing that terrestrial radio should remain exempt from paying performance royalties for song airplay. The American Music Fairness Act would impose radio royalties similar to streaming platforms, and opponents contend that modern streaming monetization undermines the historic "radio sells records" justification. Michael Huppe, CEO of SoundExchange, will oppose Hinton and supports collection of government-approved radio royalties. Hinton's prepared testimony emphasizes radio's promotional value for musicians and its role as a lifeline during emergencies, invoking the national emergency system rationale to resist royalty changes.

Read at RAIN News