Pandora Needs Our Help!
Posted on: September 27, 2008Author: Cali Lewis
22 comments so far (is that a lot?)
Geek Briefers thank me more often for introducing them to Pandora than just about anything else. Pandora is in trouble due to oppressive copyright laws, but founder, Tim Westergren says there’s hope. If you’re a Pandora user in the U.S., read Tim’s memo and consider contacting your congressional representative.
CONGRESSIONAL EMERGENCY!!!
Listeners we need your help… NOW!
After a yearlong negotiation, Pandora, artists and record companies are finally optimistic about reaching an agreement on royalties that would save Pandora and Internet radio. But just as we’ve gotten close, large traditional broadcast radio companies have launched a covert lobbying campaign to sabotage our progress.
Yesterday, Congressman Jay Inslee, and several co-sponsors, introduced legislation to give us the extra time we need but the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), which represents radio broadcasters such as Clear Channel, has begun intensively pressuring lawmakers to kill the bill. We have just a day or two to keep this from collapsing.
This is a blatant attempt by large radio companies to suffocate the webcasting industry that is just beginning to offer an alternative to their monopoly of the airwaves.
Please call your Congressperson right now and ask them to support H.R. 7084, the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008 – and to not capitulate to pressure from the NAB. Congress is currently working extended hours, so even calls this evening and over the weekend should get answered.
The central congressional switchboard number is: (202) 225 3121
Or to look up your representative, visit: https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml
If the phone is busy, please try again until you get through. These calls really do make a difference.
This is a fork in the road. Only massive grassroots opposition will keep us from another 50 years of top 40 radio. It’s time to take a stand and break the stranglehold of broadcast media on radio.
Thanks so much for you ongoing support.
Tim
Founder, Pandora
September 27th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Just contacted my congress person! Thanks for the announcment…jcpizer
September 27th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I called my Rep!
You should do the same!
~Dan
September 27th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Pandora and the other venues that offer streaming music online are a very important part of the digital lifestyle. I was unable to contact my congressman directly, but did leave a message for him to be able to contact me in the future, as well as give him a detailed overview on why I was calling. I’m proud to be a supporter of digital broadcasting, and hope that working to have this bill passed is the first step towards recognizing New Media as a true broadcasting platform.
September 27th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Just contacted my rep. Save Pandora!
September 27th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I contacted my congressman. I’m a big Pandora fan. Radio in the Dallas area sucks. (Except KERA) :)
September 27th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I totally support, but dont know what to say exactly when I call them.
September 27th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I have contacted my congressman Thaddeus McCotter asking him to support this!
September 27th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Cali has to be the most annoying Person EVER! SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!
Jesus man. How much prozac do you need a DAY!?!?!?!?
September 27th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Jason, you don’t have to watch the show. Why spend time on something you don’t like?
September 27th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Actually, I met Cali and Neal at the Chicago meetup and found them both to be quite personable. I had a great time talking with both of them and the restaurant was amazing, too.
Keep up the great work. I never miss an episode.
September 27th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Jason- you obviously have some issues …please keep them and your insults to yourself or make a comment on the topic addressed above.
September 27th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I wasn’t even going to comment here, cause I’m in Australia and Pandora isn’t available to us anyway. But that Jason guy’s comment really annoyed me.
What a ridiculous thing to do! It’s like driving over to someone’s house to tell them you hate driving to their house!
You do an awesome job, Cali, and I never miss a GB.TV podcast, and I love iCali too!
Even though I’m sure you know you have lots of fans, people like that can still bring you down a bit, so people like Dave and I need to try and help you back up ;)
September 27th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
You guys are sweet, thank you. While, yes, it’s an odd thing to do to spend valuable time telling someone you hate them, people still do it. In this case, no biggie. I either annoy someone or I don’t. Can’t do anything about that! :)
September 27th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Troll, thy name is Jason Oblivion. Cali, of course, is a sweety.
September 27th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Jason,
As a person who frequently suffers from acute depression, I must admit, I love our bright, shiny, exuberant overlord Cali Lewis.
Maybe you should consult your doctor for your own medication adjustment.
Then again, maybe just tune into Pandora and call up some Moody Blues and chill out.
September 27th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Jason, jealouy is ugly. Don’t hate on Cali. Go Cali Go!
October 1st, 2008 at 6:22 am
Guys im from britian and i can’t get pandora but have found a viable alternative which is jango its kinda social networking linked around the radio too which is kinda cool.
October 1st, 2008 at 7:49 pm
I hate to be that ‘guy’… but I used to be a HUGE fan for Pandora.. however they left those Canadian’s high and dry and blocked access to us :(… We had to find OTHER means of that wonderful internet radio and I have found a service http://www.accuradio.com which is a FANTASTIC alternative. It has choice channels as well as a mix feature so you choose your fav channels, many awesome options and NO restrictions for more than 5 ‘next’ hits. No offense Tim but isn’t it the American way.. to FIND a WAY!! Here’s wishing o’le Pandora all the best but there are greener pastures…even to those north of the boarder.
Lastly, there is even a feature to use accuradio on the wii!!
October 1st, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Ok read the blog then post… got it. Ya I am new.
But Cali you certainly have CHARACTER!! How many people can have someone be so rude and childish and write back with a responsible, respectable answer without stooping to that level. Good for you Cali, Your show is TOP notch I am surprise you haven’t been propositioned from CNN… (Propositioned in a good, as you say ‘Bacon’ way! :)
July 25th, 2009 at 9:34 am
I like how someone posted under my name, how lame. Cali I don’t have anything ill towards you.
July 25th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Huh, thanks for saying, Jason!
July 25th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I got an email from one of my listeners, and sent me this link. If I have something to say about anyone I’ll do it in Email format. Not to say Im not outspoken, but if im gonna insult someone its gonna way better than that crap that was posted, and not on some comment forum. I’ve said all I need to, Later.