Save Internet Radio!

ISN’T IT FUNNY that the first time in a loooong time that I’m able to jump onto my favorite NPR Internet stream, it’s the Internet National Day of Silence! The event is a protest against inflated music royalties that threaten to sink some Inet stations and severely hurt others. The new fees are due to come into effect on July 15.

For the occasion, NPR is streaming an hourly program featuring Internet radio gurus – Pandora, Yahoo!, NPR, 365 – Check into it HERE.

Listen through the NPR Web site or through iTunes.

A plug for Internet radio: I’m a big fan of Pandora (see previous blog entries). My favorite, lazy-butt thing, though, is simply opening iTunes and choosing whatever genre I’m in the mood for (usually KCRW’s simulcast or streaming music, which is eclectic ecstasy). It’s great as background music or as an instant party mix or to scope out new artists. The only drawbacks are wanting to hear specific artists or tunes at specific times and having spotty Inet connection.

If you haven’t been a frequent user or if you don’t stream music at all, give it a try. Let me know what you think!

HOW YOU CAN HELP SAVE INTERNET RADIO:

Contact your Congressional Reps and Senators in support of Internet Radio.
What to say: State your support for an emergency stay of the Copyright Royalty Board’s decision to raise rates so much that it will critically hurt online radio.

READ MORE:
Washingtonpost.com
Radio and Internet Newsletter