Record Companies Wringing Their Hands
This is just too funny. People are so fed up with traditional radio that podcasting has really taken off over the past year or so. New podcasts are springing up at an enormous rate, and with them a demand for music that can be legally included. Adam Curry coined the term “podsafe music” to describe music unencumbered by the choke-hold placed on artists who have signed with any of the big record companies. He’s made several bands famous by featuring their music on his Daily Source Code with the complete blessing of the artists.
Garageband.com has been around for a while and is one source of music that allows the artists to determine how and when their music may be used. The latest source is the Podsafe Music Network. Artists can sign on to upload their music and decide how others may use it. Podcasters can similarly sign on to find music that they can legally use on their shows. It’s a win-win for artists, podcasters, and listeners alike. Artists get free promotion of their material and can sell CDs or individual tracks to people who want more. Podcasters get free material to use on their shows. And listeners get to hear fresh new music from artists who otherwise would be heard only by their friends and neighbors.
What’s funny is to watch the hand wringing currently going on at the record companies as they try to decide how to handle this new phenomenon. USA Today has a story all about one radio station that is trying to make a go at podcasting some of their content, and the hassles they face trying to program music into their shows.
Just as cell phone subscribers now outnumber traditional land-line telephone subscribers, I await the day when podcast and satellite listeners outnumber those listening to big-company-controlled over-the-air radio.