A selection of your
comments on the PPL issue

Again, another shot in the foot for recorders' rights. I will be stopping my listening of legal radio stations who pay royalties, and go to internet-only streaming sites who most of them, I am sure, pay nothing.

Ehud, Qiryat Shemona, Israel

So somebody found a way to try and make more money by charging radio stations more to broadcast on the web outside the UK. Now, they have no extra money as all the radio stations have stopped broadcasting [abroad], and have made thousands of Brits living outside the UK angry and bitter. I do not believe the artists and musicians are behind this, but some money-grabbing yuppy. People outside the country listen not only for the music but to keep up to date with local issues not found elsewhere on the net. Let's get this sorted and get these stations back online.

John, New Brunswick, Canada

This idea that the PPL have about limiting international streaming is utterly ridiculous. I used to live in Aberdeen and very much enjoy listening to Northsound 1 occasionally to hear what is going on over there and hear the new music, as I am a big fan of British artists. I would be willing to pay a nominal subscription fee for the ability to stream from Canada, but that will most likely not happen, so for now I will continue to listen to Canadian radio which is not near as good as the British versions.

Michelle, Alberta, Canada

This policy is ridiculous. As a UK architect who works abroad, being able to listen to radio from home is the one thing that keeps me sane and in touch with what's happening in my home country. Foreign media such as tabloid press does not give good coverage on music, news and trends occuring in the UK (the music in Australia is way behind!). I've been listening from Sydney for the last two years. The internet is about connectivity, not radio segregation. I'm shocked!

Matthew, New South Wales, Australia

We can't access Magic 105.4. It is a disaster! We have spent many hours listening to a great mix of music. Please give those of us living in Australia our radio listening pleasure back.

Ann, Western Australia, Australia

I think restricting the stations to the UK is like going backwards in time. I am a listener in the US; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and have enjoyed listening to several of the UK radio stations over the Internet. I was first introduced to them when I went highspeed, and then with my wireless Soundbridge that has some of the UK stations pre-programmed. I was stationed in Europe in the 80's and my wife is from The Netherlands. We thought streaming radio was an excellent way to connect the world and bring a little more diversity to our listening. Because over here it's no picnic either. Clear Channel and some of the major players have taken over commercial radio and it's one big generic, watered-down mess, playing the same 40 songs forever!!!!! Or else, you can always pay to listen!!!!!!!!! Too bad. It's like the Internet itself, once the genie's out of the bottle...... Hopefully, we'll be hearing you again in the near future.

Patrick, Colorado, USA

I had no idea this was going to happen until I walked into work on Monday morning to find I couldn't access my favorite Scottish radio station. This is so disappointing! I discovered this station about 8 months ago and have found myself listening to artists I never knew existed before (Goldfrapp, KT Tunstall, Kaiser Chiefs, Hard Fi). Without Americans hearing these artists abroad, how are they to get airplay in the states? If the UK wants to restrict then why not at least allow a subscription? What is the point behind cutting the rest of the world off???

Christine, California, USA

If there is to be a restriction for overseas listeners, then this is highly discriminatory. As a presenter on a Community Radio Station here in Australia, I am glad that we are on the verge of streaming. Such streaming and licensing will be carried out at our cost (we are all volunteers) and many other Oz Community Stations will be doing the same, or are already doing so. By blocking any streaming, record companies will be cutting off their noses to spite their faces. A lot of independent artists will come to the forefront and their 'tasters' will result in sales. I am already playing a myriad of independent releases/artists whose albums/singles/EPs I have found via the net/streaming. Streaming is the way forward, does it have to be tattooed on legislators' bodily parts? By giving airtime to independent artists, the record companies will no longer be in charge; is this their real grievance?

Tony, Victoria, Australia

I'm sorry to hear about this issue - I have been listening to Wave 105 at work for a few years and love it. I have friends in the south and have visited the UK several times and it's great hearing the news, etc. I really miss my station. I hope the situation will change one day and I can enjoy Wave 105 again.

Diana, British Columbia, Canada

The restriction of live stream access to overseas listeners stinks. It all boils down to corporate greed, pure and simple. As a British guy living in Buenos Aires, I'm really going to miss listening to the latest music and news from the UK. Cheers, PPL(!)

Paul, Buenos Aires, Argentina

It's silly to restrict radio broadcasts to a geographical area. I know this was the issue in America a couple years ago: $0.02/song if no streaming, $0.05 if streaming and radio simulcasting. They figured it out here and streaming is back.

Bret, USA/Ireland