The topic of Radio paying performance rights to recording artists has been tossed about like a hot potato for the past several months. And there are good arguments on both sides of the issue.
In today’s economy — what little of it remains — many stations are on the edge of bankruptcy. Will adding another revenue drain to their burden prove to be fatal? And if Radio stations go silent or switch to news/talk to avoid the performance fees, how does that help the artists sell more of their music?
The symbiotic relationship that has directly benefited artists by making them (in more than a few cases) millionaires has also helped Radio. If artists are to be paid for their music, perhaps Radio stations should be paid for the time required to air the artists’ songs.
Just to be fair about it.