Are there any 5 minute hourly newscasts either available for download or streamed that can be used for Part 15 stations? The program and/or file download must be in mp3 format in order for my automation software to play it.
Are there any 5 minute hourly newscasts either available for download or streamed that can be used for Part 15 stations? The program and/or file download must be in mp3 format in order for my automation software to play it.
Links to free audio content
Experimental broadcasting for a better tomorrow!
FSN offers free news as well for LP staions: http://www.lpfmnews.net/pages/1/index.htm
I've been using the NPR Podcast for some time now. They update hourly and it runs 5 minutes. They do start with a brief sponsor announcement.
Here is the link I use with "Juice", a Podcast download software.
http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast.php?id=500005
The NPR site has lot's of stuf for download.
Hate to burst your bubble, but broadcasting podcasts from NPR is illegal unless you have paid to be an affiliate. Seeing as NPR is typically against any sort of low-power broadcasting (as they see it as a threat to theur dominance of the American Public Radio market) and has activley sought to limit or eliminate services such as Part 15 and LPFM, I doubt that they would allow a part 15 station to become an affiliate. I look forward to being proved wrong on that point though.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't broadcast NPR podcasts, I'm just saying that you should be aware that it is illegal. Also note that I am talking about broadcasting - I would bet that yardcasting NPR for personal use falls into "Fair Use" at best and probably into some legal grey area at worst.
Since NPR is not Part 15 friendly, I would hope that part 15 stations would use an alternative news source. That's my .02...
Seeing as NPR is typically against any sort of low-power broadcasting (as they see it as a threat to theur dominance of the American Public Radio market) and has activley sought to limit or eliminate services such as Part 15 and LPFM, I doubt that they would allow a part 15 station to become an affiliate. I look forward to being proved wrong on that point though.
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NPR bites the big one. I remember when they helped the anti-LPFM lobby as well.
Here's what NPR says about using their Podcasts:
"NPR Podcasts
NPR provides podcasts (the "NPR Podcasts") consisting of selected audio content from NPR and other content providers, available at www.npr.org/podcasts/, that is provided over the Internet using an XML feed and an associated audio file so that the audio file may be downloaded and played from a user's computer or transferred to a portable listening device. NPR Podcasts are protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. All rights in and to the NPR Podcasts are reserved to NPR or the content provider. NPR Podcasts are available for personal, noncommercial use only. You may download, copy and/or transfer to a portable listening device the NPR Podcasts for your personal, non-commercial use only, provided that you do not modify the content. You also may link to NPR Podcasts from your Web site, weblog or similar application, as long as (a) the links redirect the user to the NPR Web sites when the user clicks on them, (b) you do not insert any intermediate page, splash page or other content between the links and the applicable NPR web page, (c) the linking does not suggest that NPR promotes or endorses any third party's causes, ideas, Web sites, products or services, or (d) you do not use NPR content for inappropriate commercial purposes, and (e) you provide attribution to NPR adjacent to the link. NPR reserves the right to discontinue providing NPR Podcasts and to require that you cease accessing or using the NPR Podcasts, or any content contained in the NPR Podcasts, at any time for any reason. "
As you have implied, rules are subject to interpretation. I'm thinking Part 15 is Part 15 whether it's my AM transmitter or an IPod transmitter. My use of the Podcast is non-commercial. I transfer the Podcast to my personal listening device (radio) using a Part 15 transmitter. No where do they state that it is illegal to broadcast podcasts, just don't use Podcasts for commercial purposes.
I suppose some would cite intent as the problem but what is Broadcasting? Everytime I turn on the baby monitor, I'm broadcasting. When I use my A/V extender, I'm broadcasting. Is it broadcasting by virtue of the fact that someone else can intercept the signals? Or, is it if I take money for the service?
Now if they define "personal listening device" as not to include radio...
Broadcasting vs. personal use is all about intent. If on your part 15 station you are playing station IDs, comercials/PSAs, asking listeners to call in, or working as an on-air DJ then it is pretty clear that you are broadcasting because you intend for a listening audience (the public) to tune in to your station. If you play nothing but music and podcasts with no intention of having members of the public tune in, then you are using your part 15 transmitter for personal use. Based on your web site ( http://mram.50webs.com/), it seems pretty clear that you are broadcasting; you intend for members of the public to tune in to your station. Forgive me if my assumption there is wrong.
Broadcasting recordings for which you do not hold the copyright requires a license, this is true for music, theatrical works, and even news casts. That is why, whether you are a part 15 station or a full power commercial station, you need licenses from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC to broadcast music. This means that, as a broadcasting part 15 station, you need to become an NPR affiliate station (and pay the licensing fees) in order to legally broadcast those podcasts. Note that the agreement you quoted states, "NPR Podcasts are available for personal, noncommercial use only." If you are broadcasting those podcasts, it is clearly not personal use.
I hope that clears it up a bit. I really hate to be a wet blanket here but broadcasting NPR podcasts without a licensing agreement is clearly illegal. I'm not telling you not to broadcast it, that decision is totally up to you. It is my opinion that you are unlikely to get caught though I don't know if I would announce your use of NPR on the station's web site. Given NPR's stance toward part 15 though, I would expect them to make a big deal out of it if you do get caught.
To be perfectly clear, if you are broadcasting and claiming you are broadcasting for the good of any part of the community, it should go without saying, act like what you are and be responsible for the use of the medium. Be proud you are a community broadcaster and do it right. As in other countries, the federal government could outlaw any broadcasting, without a license, at all.
However, the statement, "That is why, whether you are a part 15 station or a full power commercial station, you need licenses from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC to broadcast music." is partially correct. Part 15 stations are only "asked" by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) to purchase an annual music license to support the composers and writers of the songs played on the air. The annual fee is $200.00. Part 15 licenses, to my knowledge, are not offered by any other music licensing firms. Sound Exchange and the federal Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) are new and have begun with the spread of internet radio stations. LPFM's pay license fees to all the companies and agencies (BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, SOUND EXCHANGE). Most internet radio station host sites suggest strongly that their clients get a DMCA license from Loud City or SWCast.
Fees vary.
The NPR copyright is very exclusive and meant only for their affiliates. Otherwise, they couldn't charge their affiliates what they do for programming. Considering the NPR's latest attack on "fm modulators" that transmit on their licensed frequencies, I would stay completely away from these folks. And frankly, if their content and production hasn't changed since I was working at the college radio station, you could produce your own newscast and it would sound way better and more relatable to your audience. Do your own and forget NPR.
Copyrighted programming is protected by federal law. Licensing is required on a case by case basis. Some copyrighted programming DOES NOT require licensing for Part 15 stations and normally state so on their web site or in their material. It pays to stay on the right side of the law (like it or not). Raise the standard as a responsible, quality community broadcaster.
Marshall Johnson, Sr.
Senior Pastor, President
Rhema Christian Fellowship, Inc.
Rhema Radio - The Word In Worship
AM 1660 - FM 93.5
http://www.rhemaradio.org
There's no doubt that my station is non-commercial. If I offered them a generous 10% of my stations revenue, they'd owe me money (negative profit.) Non-commercial, no discussion needed there.
Personal use, well there's the subjective argument. Anybody with an internet connection can receive the NPR newcast free, they encourage it. Why should they care if I'm assisting in delivering this free service? I don't benifit from it. They even encourage linking their Podcast to web sites which is a form of distribution.
I represent my station as a radio station because it is a radio station, which, I don't really intend anybody hear it but me. It's fun, it's a hobby. Actually, I'm flattered that you find my web site so convincing. The web site is so I can listen while I'm at work. If someone else chooses to listen, fine.
I appreciate your concerns and take no offense. So much so that I'll run the FSN newscast as news is just news and I wouldn't want to cast Part 15 use into dire straits. The music is all local artists that have given permission to air their works. They're thrilled, I'm having fun.
There's no doubt that my station is non-commercial. .
.
Why not ask them right out. If they say no, then you probably don't want to air the stuff anyway.
Well actually, the FSN news content is just as good if not better. They use more "voices" than NPR. I'm glad it was brought to my attention. If I was doing this for some reason other than the fun, I might care.
That probably strikes a sour note with the "broadcasters" on this forum as this is more than a funtime hobby for them. Myself, I'm fanatical about keeping it on the air but only from the technical standpoint, not the programming. May as well be a beacon tone as I'm probably the only one looking for it.
I went to the NPR site twice to inquire about permissions but decided to let sleeping dogs lie. No good reason to stir it up if NPR is the big bad corporate bully described herein.
FSN offers free news as well for LP staions: http://www.lpfmnews.net/pages/1/index.htm/blockquote >
I'm intrigued by FSN. The presentation is very good and polished. I don't see anywhere on their site that says they are free, but rather require a $15 per month subscription.
I do see that the links to the five minute, three minute, and 30 second hourly broadcasts are posted on the page, however.
Does this mean that the three hourly bulletins are free, but other services require payment?
Regards,
Scott
Robin Valley Community Radio
Omaha, Nebraska
http://robinvalley.org/
FSN is a good service. Yes, the 30 sec., 3 & 5 minute pieces are free.
The $15 gets you access to much more, including the raw audio for a build your own news hour.
I've dealt with Simon Marks several times in the past and he's always been a charm to work with. Hell, he even answered me from his crackberry while overseas!