Pandora Will Fall Silent In Europe
I blogged on KilkennyMusic.com a while ago about the saving of internet radio, mentioning Pandora in particular as a site that I love to have open in the office. The selection of music is incredible and I’ve been introduced to so many great artists over the last year or so. Alas, in reading Techcrunch before I’ve checked my emails it looks like the curtain is falling on Pandora for users outside the US.
With DMCA laws in place, Pandora are fine to continue in the US due to the rights deals agreed to date but as the DMCA doesn’t extend past the US, Pandora need to negotiate direct deals with the labels, publishers and acts to continue using the music – something they’ve been working on for over two years and hope in the hope of being able to resume service in the UK and Canada while gradually restoring transmission through Europe.
Reading the comments as well, the news has hit Pandora pretty hard, this comment coming from Tom Conrad (CTO)
I can’t even begin to say what a disappointing outcome this is for us. We’ll continue to work with music rights holders with the goal of making Pandora a truly global service.
To those that have listened from outside the US, we thank you for your support and we’ll look forward to the day when we can restore access — we’ll take good care of your stations in the meantime.
Going to miss my Incubus Station, Zero 7 station, Alanis Morissette, Cary Brothers station and all the other stations I’ve built up of late.
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That’s less than impressive news, although I don’t think Pandora are completely alone – it seems to affect most internet radio stations.
I personally think they should go for unsigned acts and give a platform to bands that are struggling for recognition.
If there was an unsigned alternative available it would be something alright. Perhaps now is the time we’ll see MySpace radio or something similar come along, profile bands with ‘unsigned’ tags?
Mind you, the unsigned scene (while I love it) isn’t everyone’s cup of tea at all, Pandora’s ability to playlist mainstream music to the masses, while also unearthing a few gems for the seasoned listeners, will be missed.
Always a proxy workaround if you’re up for it, but you’re right – most internet radio stations will feel the impact due to the new licensing fees being introduced. Satellite radio paying 25% of that and they’re fine, Pandora and co paying 4 times the satellite fees is a bit outlandish wouldn’t you think?
Aye, I take your point about unsigned not being to everyone’s tastes – I’m just trying to find music I’ve never heard before at the moment.
The fees Internet Radio stations are expected to pay right now are ludicrous – where’s the public outcry though? There’s just never enough public support to whip the major labels into behaving fairly.
Ah, I so hoped Pandora’s campaign to stay live would work out in Europe as well. Too bad it didn’t. However, I’m sure some day the record companies will see how wrong they are to deny their artists exposure to Internet Radio listeners and make it easier for their work to be enjoyed, discovered and recognized over the Internet. 4 times the satellite fees is outrageous.
Quite true, certainly a pity, then again an proxy workaround isn’t too bad if you can get it going.
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