XM Radio needs Your Help: Don’t Let Congress Hurt Satellite Radio

As we posted early last week, the Music Industry is trying to force Congress into to pass a legislation, that would prevent XM listeners from being able to use the new XM radios, unless XM pays much, much higher royalty fees.

XM Satellite radio is already pays tens of millions of dollars in royalties to artists, songwriters and record labels, more than any other company, while free FM pays nothing.

XM Satellite Radio sent out an email to subscribers tonight, and is asking for your help. Click here to locate and write to your Senators and Representative in support of satellite radio.

Here is the email that went out to XM subscribers from the CEO Of XM Radio, Hugh Panero.

Dear XM Subscriber,

I’m emailing you personally because XM Satellite Radio needs your help.

The big record companies are pressuring Congress to pass legislation that would prevent XM listeners like you from having access to more music choices and new technologies. If these powerful special interests get their way, it will be much tougher for satellite radio to keep bringing you the unique and innovative artists you find on XM.

Let me explain: With 69 commercial-free digital music channels, XM provides an outlet for recording artists of virtually every musical style and genre.

XM has been a good friend to the music industry and, more importantly, to artists and songwriters. XM helps listeners discover new artists and rediscover forgotten favorites, stimulating CD and concert ticket sales.

We make sure artists and songwriters are fairly compensated for their music: XM pays a portion of your subscription fee to them and their record labels for the music you hear. Satellite radio has already paid tens of millions of dollars in royalties — and over the coming years it could pay hundreds of millions more. By contrast, conventional AM and FM radio stations pay nothing to recording artists or their record labels.
In fact, satellite radio, including XM, is now the largest payer of digital performance royalties to artists and record labels in the country.
But the big record labels want more — a lot more — and are trying to use Congress to stand in the way of the future. They are pressuring Congress to pass legislation that would prevent XM listeners like you from being able to use our new radios. These radios allow XM subscribers to record music they hear on XM for personal use so you can listen later - in the same way TiVo allows you to record TV shows for later viewing.

This could mean fewer music choices and less new technology for you in years to come. Those who stand in the way of progress never prevail and they won’t this time, if you and the other 6.5 million members of the XM Nation act today.

I hope you will click here to contact Congress and learn more about this issue.

Thank you for being a part of the XM Nation. With your support, XM Satellite Radio will continue to bring you the highest quality music, talk, sports, news and innovation.

Best Wishes,

Hugh Panero
CEO of XM Satellite Radio