The Association of Streaming Media Companies (ASMeC) has been created to represent digital audiovisual companies not licensed by Ofcom. Initial members include internet stations like Totally Radio, Last FM, Samurai FM and Radio Magnetic. ASMeC intends to lobby on the issue of music copyright licenses offered by Phonographic Performance Limited, which internet radio stations argue are too expensive compared to traditional radio. Other issues ASMeC wants to address are bandwidth costs, marketing and sales opportunities.

1. NEWS: UK INTERNET RADIO
COMPANIES LAUNCH 'ASMEC'
TRADE ORGANISATION TO
TACKLE SECTOR ISSUES
by
GRANT GODDARD
www.grantgoddard.co.uk
April 2006

2. News: UK Internet Radio Companies Launch 'ASMEC' Trade Organisation To Tackle Sector Issues Page 2
©2006 Grant Goddard
The Association of Streaming Media Companies [ASMeC] is a new
organisation created to represent digital audiovisual companies that are not
licensed by Ofcom.
The initial membership, which includes internet stations such as 'Totally Radio',
'Last FM', 'Samurai FM' and 'Radio Magnetic', intends to lobby on the issue of
musiccopyright licences offered to online broadcasters by Phonographic
Performance Limited [PPL]. Internet radio stations argue that the royalty
payments imposed by PPL are onerous, being considerably higher than those
paid by existing AM/FM stations [see issue #730]. Other issues the Association
wants to address include bandwidth costs, marketing schemes and sales
opportunities. Further information is available at http://www.asmec.org
 In the US, recent research by Bridge Ratings concluded that “internet radio
could greatly benefit from pervasive Wi-Max or Wide Area Wireless Access
which will bring it to portable devices, including car radios, by 2008.” It
found that internet radio is “already the source of preference among young
Americans for supplemental audio entertainment and it will continue its
growth as more users are equipped with broadband technology”. The
report’s authors believe that “the entire spectrum of digital audio
alternatives, and especially internet radio and its wireless distribution,
continue to represent the biggest challenge to traditional radio.”
[First published in 'The Radio Magazine' as 'Internet Radio Launches Association', #731, 12 April 2006]
Grant Goddard is a media analyst / radio specialist / radio consultant with thirty years of
experience in the broadcasting industry, having held senior management and consultancy
roles within the commercial media sector in the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia. Details at
http://www.grantgoddard.co.uk