RADIO STILL SELLS MUSIC, SAYS CAB
By Adnews Staff
Forty-five per cent of people said radio is the primary influence on their decision about what music to buy, in a poll conducted by the Angus Reid Group in early May. Researchers questioned 1,002 Canadians aged 16 or older. Almost 60% said radio played a role in their purchase decisions. The study also found that more people first learn about new music on radio than from all other sources combined. For these reasons the Canadian Association of Broadcasters wants local radio stations to be exempted from having to pay royalties to artists and record companies for music they play on-air. The federal government is currently considering legislation that would require the stations to pay such royalties under a "neighboring rights" provision. The CAB presented its study to Parliament to bolster its argument that stations shouldn't have to pay royalties because radio play promotes the music. The CAB was countering claims from music associations that radio no longer influences music sales the way it used to. Sixteen per cent of respondents in the study said music videos on TV were the primary influence on their music buying decisions, while 10% said word of mouth told them what to buy.