April 19, 2007
The explosion in niche internet-only radio stations may be under threat following a decision by the Copyright Royalty Board in the USA to substantially raise the royalty payments due to the music industry from such broadcasters and to make that increase retrospective to 2006.
The likelihood is that this will see many smaller internet radio stations simply cease broadcasting, at least until the decision is confirmed.
Internet broadcasters' hopes now rest on Congress and the courts who may yet overturn the ruling.