Radio To Senate: Fix 'Perform' Act

Twelve radio group owners have put their names on a letter to the Senate Judiciary committee's chairman and the ranking Democrat, asking that a bill offered by Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) be broadened to eliminate what the broadcasters say are "unintended consequences."

Sen. Feinstein's bill, S. 2644, is known as the Platform Equality and Remedies for Rights Holders in Music Act of 2006, or Perform. A House version (H.R. 5361) was introduced in May by Reps. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) and Mary Bono (R-Calif.). Both bills would require satellite, cable and Internet broadcasters to pay royalties based on the same standards and to pay at fair-market-value rates.

The July 21 broadcaster letter says that some of the unintended consequences of the PERFORM Act include "stifling technological innovation," along with "threatening consumer rights."

The 12 group heads represent some, but not all, of the industry's largest radio groups. Clear Channel, Cox Radio, Entercom and Cumulus are signatories, but CBS Radio and ABC Radio are not.

Greater Media, Bonneville, WBEB FM Radio, Beasley Broadcast Group, Salem, Emmis, Sheridan and ICBC Broadcast Holdings are also on board.