A2IM: Radio Still Ignores Indie Music, Demands Law For Airplay Quota

Give Me Airplay ... Or Give Me A Quota!

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSIC (A2IM) and the FUTURE OF MUSIC COALITION have released a study on independent product getting commercial radio airplay -- 18 months after corporate radio agreed to play more indie product ... and they aren't happy. The groups' study essentially asserts that terrestrial radio welched on their agreement with the FCC on opening their airwaves up to more indie music, and because of that, Congress should pass a Canadian-content-type of law for indie labels.

"An A2IM survey of ...independent labels found that more than 90% believe their relationship with commercial radio has not changed since the FCC Consent Decree and the Rules of Engagement were signed," the story claimed, " and nearly 80% said major broadcasters are no more willing to play independent music."

The poll found that 5.8% of indie labels said their relationship with radio is better than before, over 92% say it's the same, and about 2% say it's worse than it was before. A tad less than 8% think radio is playing more indie music, 78% say about the same amount and 13.7% say less indie music.

The remedy to fix this alleged problem? "The A2IM believe Congress and the FCC should look at instituting guidelines that will bring a diversity of music to the commercial airwaves ... The Canadian Content Rules ensure Canadians are exposed to a range of talented, homegrown artists. Similar legislation for independent, local and regional acts could open commercial airwaves here."

The A2IM even said this would be a win-win for terrestrial radio, in that it'll "restore" some of radio's audience and "ease radio's financial woes by drawing new advertisers who want to reach a different listener segment."

Read the entire report here.

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