Open Source Radio?

KYOURadio.com claims to be. It's not, exactly, but it's a big deal to move to a podcasting format no matter what else isn't right with the idea -- and there's plenty of time to work out the bugs.

Good roundup today by Jeff Jarvis.

Comments

[Michael M]

Podcasters should read the fine print before they submit a show to Infinity. As you might expect, it is very one-sided agreement. Infinity gets to do anything they want to with the material, and the submitter carries all of the risk. No compensation. Only amateurs and people desperate for publicity will agree to this . That's probably the same people who agree to be on degrading reality shows. What the agreement doesn't do is create any type of ongoing arrangement. So Infinity is leaving itself open to developing some "stars" who can then take their show elsewhere. However if they do discover any "stars", I suspect they will then lock them up with an equally one-sided agreement.

Isn't corporate broadcasting wonderful?

[Joe I.]

Well Michael for those that want to make it big economically/politically this might be an in. Why sit around and not try to get on if you want to podcast even if the agreement isn't perfect when you could reach a huge audience potentially and be "discovered?" I agree with Dan it isn't perfect but it is a start. Apple Corporation took a chance with the technology in the iPod and has locked it down but look at the stuff it has spawned in hardware and podcasting itself. Perhaps this company is doing the same. Take a chance. Kind of like my 31 year old HS classmate who can't understand how we all (friends) own homes in Seattle. Well I told him you've sat your ass into your 30's drinking coffee, trying to write a screen play, and have no career or accomplishments what so ever. The rest of us formed businesses from restaurants to consulting companies, have careers and contribute to society in many ways. Podcasting is something people can contribute no matter what the distribution method.

[tim]

I'm with Michael on this one. Infinity's business plan sounds like podcasting sharecropping. Except under Infinity's plan, the podcasters are getting NO compensation.

Great profit margins for Infinity I'm sure.

[Michael M.]

I'm not saying don't take a chance, but go in eyes wide open. Know that if you say anything on-air that remotely gives someone a reason to sue, Infinity is not obligated to spend a dime to defend you even if they reviewed the podcast before it went to air --even if they cut out stuff that would have prevented or mitigated a lawsuit -- you're still the one stuck with the lawyer's bill.

Remember you are not dealing with an idealistic company. Infinity is under huge pressure to turn its radio stations around. They will do anything to make a buck and that includes taking advantage of small media producers.

This is much like what happened to the early Rock 'n Roll musicians. They may have become famous, but they signed away most if not all of their rights. Corporations that invested very little reaped huge profits and continue to do so off of their back catalog today. Meanwhile the musicians or their estate see little or nothing.

By all means take a chance. Reach for the brass ring. But read the fine print and don't give up more than you should.

[craig]

My experience with those who use draconian contracts is that they typically have to operate with second tier people. You can't attract the top notch types because the same attention to detail that puts them at the top of their game prevents them from getting into situations that removes their control.

The TV show Saturday Night Live has this problem. They have draconian contracts for their performers, so they are not attracting the best of the best.

[opit]

It's going to be hard to lock up exclusive rights to anything when all the basics are freeware and/or common hardware. Don't give away the store quite yet. It won't be long before competition appears.