PORTNOW PUSHES FOR RADIO PAYMENTS

Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow banged the drum for changes in radio royalty payments in an editorial posted at RadioInk.com, noting “the lack of a radio performance right is the only instance in our economy where one party can use another’s intellectual property without permission or compensation.”

Portnow was airing his opinion as the National Association of Broadcasters assemble in Austin. He noted “radio struggles to remain relevant to a younger generation” and at this year’s Grammys, “not a single winner on the telecast thanked radio.”

“Rather than putting its efforts into fighting artists in Washington, radio should work with us to resolve the performance right dispute,” Portnow wrote. “It’s the first step toward our industries working together to create a balanced and equitable future as partners. A future where music fans still turn to radio, advertisers deem radio relevant, and music makers are paid fairly for their work.”

You can read Neil’s piece here.