RAJAR Q1 2016: All the main figures
BBC Radio 3 reached its highest audience in three years, in a quarter (ending April 3) that marks the first full year of controller Alan Davey in post, with 2.12 million tuning in (up from 2.05m last quarter and 2.08m last year). BBC Radio 6 Music also achieved another record weekly audience, with 2.24m listeners (up from 2.2m in Q4 15 and 2.06m in Q1 15. For the first time, all four daytime shows (Shaun Keaveny, Lauren Laverne, Radcliffe and Maconie, and Steve Lamacq) have over 900,000 listeners, with Lamacq retaining the biggest show on the network with 1.01m. BBC Radio 1 posted a reach of 9.91m listeners (from 10.33m last quarter and 9.67m last year). The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw attracted 5.44m listeners, compared to 5.87m last quarter and 5.5m last year. BBC Radio 2’s weekly audience was 15.51m (from 15.47m last quarter and 15.01m last year). The Chris Evans Breakfast Show attracted 9.73m listeners per week, compared to 9.44m last quarter and 9.46m last year. (Music Week)
US songwriters ask Congress for fairness
Songwriters members of US performance rights society ASCAP have presented yesterday (May 18) to policy makers in Washington, DC a petition signed by 1,500 of their peers urging them to update rules applicable to PROs that were initially adopted in 1941 and ensure that licensing laws provide fair remuneration for creators.
MoZella, Priscilla Renea, Brett James and Brian McKnight were among the ASCAP delegation participating in the society's "Stand With Songwriters" Advocacy Day. "We are in Washington to gather support from Congress and make [policy-makers] aware of the real issues that face us as songwriters," Savan Harish Kotecha tells Music Week.
FMC's Casey Rae to join Sirius/XM
Casey Rae, currently chief executive officer of the Future of Music Coalition, an advocacy group based in Washington, DC, is stepping down, effective June 6, 2016. He will be joining satellite radio service Sirius/XM as its Director of Music Licensing. At the FMC, a transition period will start until the position of CEO is filled. "FMC's board and staff will work together on the next steps for organisation," said Casey in a message to members. Casey added that hewould "remain in Washington and hope to serve the FMC in some capacity going forward."
Laura Whitmore and Chris Stark to present first televised Unsigned Music Awards
Laura Whitmore and Chris Stark have confirmed that they will be the faces of the new televised awards show designed to reward, surface and fund the current and future successes of independent artists. CEO Simon O'Kelly said: "The team and I are really excited for Chris and Laura to host the debut show for UMA. Together, they bring a blend of charm and glamour - with a sprinkling of cheekiness - which is perfectly suited to our vision for the show and above all else, it's going to be a lot of fun."
NMPA strikes deal with Dubset
National Music Publishers' Association EVP and General Counsel Danielle Aguirre today announced that NMPA and Dubset Media Holdings have negotiated a Rights Agreement for the benefit of NMPA's independent music publisher members. The Agreement will be made available to NMPA's publishers and songwriters and will enable those who participate to receive royalties each time their compositions are contained in mix content delivered by Dubset to some of the world's largest digital music services.
Festival No.6 partners with PRS for Music
Festival No.6 has partnered this year with PRS for Music to curate its Lost in the Woods stage between noon and 3pm each day. Festival No.6 is takes place over the weekend of the September 1-4, 2016 in the village of Portmeirion, Wales, where cts will perform across the entire village, which was constructed between 1925 and 1975 by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion as an interpretation of a Mediterranean villa.
Lionel Richie be presented with Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Award
Lionel Richie is to be presented with the Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Award. Joining him will be Olly Murs and André Rieu who will pick up the AEG Live Best Male Artist Award, and PPL Classical Award, respectively. The O2 Silver Clef Awards are the charity’s biggest event of the year, and will be taking place on July 1 at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. Richie stated: "I am so proud to be one of the few Americans to receive the O2 Silver Clef Award which supports such a wonderful charity. Nordoff Robbins dedicate themselves to changing lives through music, and to me that is something truly special."
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