Honestly, I deal with the silly web 2.0 stuff too much at work to talk about it here when I’m home but if there is one thing out of the whole web 2.0 bubble that I believe is truly amazing and worthwhile (aside from blogs), it would have to be the introduction of the new Internet radio. The Music Genome Project (now Pandora) and Last.FM are huge achievements for the music industry and serves as fantastic opportunities to market music directly to the individual’s tastes. The consumer also gets the chance to find music that they actually like and listen to it in full.
Of course this is too good to be true right? The music industry just has to kick and injure itself because they fail to see the opportunities. This time all Internet radio stations are being forced to pay royalties based on how often a song is played, something that does not happen in other kinds of “radio stations” and is not realistic whatsoever. I’m sure they (the music industry) did their typical SWOT analysis in their little strategic planning meet and greet, but they focused on the threats. Stan Schroeder of Frantic Industries makes some excellent points on what the RIAA and its pals are worried about and the downfalls of failing to see what consumers really want. It’s just like digital rights management all over again!
For me, unless satellite radio becomes free … I doubt I will be listening to it and radio stations are beginning to be rather bland as they have to pander to the many taste buds out there. What Internet radio provides is an excellent alternative for people like myself who want an easy way to find and discover new music or even older music that we may not have known about.
What should we do … what should we do? Well go on over to Savenetradio.org and tell those folks in the U.S. Congress what you think. I would help, but I’m Canadian so I’m just trying to help spread the word. Another reason to blog…
At least there is still Amie Street, an independent music seller.
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