Archive for Tuesday, September, 23, 2008

Pandora Fans Keep Hopes Alive…

Tuesday, September, 23, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

To be sure, Pandora is not the only Internet radio station.  It just seems that way because they’ve made the biggest stink about rising royalty rates.  Their fans number 16 million and that number continues to grow thanks in great part to developing a version of their free service for Apple’s 3G iPhone.  Pandora now ranks as the 10th most popular free application on Apple’s App Store.  Despite its popularity, Pandora faces extinction.  In July, Pandora chief executive Joe Kennedy, testifying at a Senate Judiciary said that “based on the dramatic rate increases established by the Copyright Royalty Board, we are facing the prospect of paying $18 million in sound recording royalties in 2008, over 70% of our anticipated $25 million in revenue.” …

Two bills have been proposed, including one that seeks to nullify the Copyright Royalty Board ruling but that bill is on hold while the Digital Media Association tries to negotiate with the RIAA’s SoundExchange.  The likelihood of anything stopping the rise in royalty rates is not good but survival for Pandora is possible if either Apple or Amazon buy the company.  So far little interest is being shown by either…

Fans of Pandora may be kvelling and quivering in hopes of keeping their free music service alive but don’t look for support from terrestrial radio.  It’s survival of the fittest and with radio trying to stay alive itself - Pandora - you’re on your own.  And that’s the way it should be… 

10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1642] A time for joy, a time for tears: Harvard holds its first commencement. A grand total of 9 men graduate with degrees…
  2. 1952] Your move Mr. Nixon: When questioned about his integrity, VP candidate Richard Nixon gives his famous “Checkers”  speech. Checkers was the name of a dog given as a gift to 6-year old daughter Tricia that he was going to keep…
  3. 1952] The winner and new champ: Rocky Marciano wins his biggest fight, winning the heavyweight crown by knocking out previous champ Jersey Joe Walcott in the 13th round. When Rocky went down in that small plane he was 49-0. He never lost a fight…
  4. 1956] Circus Boy: Mickey Braddock begins his career as “Corky”, a 12-year old adopted by the circus in NBC-TV’s “Circus Boy“. Mickey Braddock will change his name to Micky Dolenz…
  5. 1962] Maury Wills it so: Dodger Maury Wills breaks Ty Cobb’s 47-year old stolen base record when he swipes #97 on the way to 104…
  6. 1962] The Name Game: The New York Philharmonic Hall opens as the first unit in Lincoln Center. The hall will later be renamed Avery Fisher Hall…
  7. 1969] Paul is dead: The London Daily Mirror reports that Paul McCartney is dead in one of the greatest hoaxes of all-time…
  8. 1977] Musical Angels: Cheryl Ladd replaces Farrah Fawcett on “Charlie’s Angels“…
  9. 1988] 40-40 Club: Jose Canseco is baseball’s 1st player to steal 40 bases, hit 40 home runs while dating Madonna…
  10. 1991] Going to Hall: Islanders’ Mike Bossy and Denis Potvin are inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame…

Music Memories:

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:

Harry Connick Jr. (41), Chi McBride (47), Jason Alexander (49), Bruce Springsteen (59), Paul Petersen (63), Julio Iglesias (65) and Mickey Rooney (88)…

Timeline Countdown: 5 days until the MLB regular season ends, 7 days before the playoffs and 30 days before the World Series opener…

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