Indies Seek Lower Radio Deals

Independent record promoters want to renegotiate their contracts with radio groups downward as they see their costs rise and record sales drop. The Wall Street Journal reports some indies are asking to reduce their payments to radio groups from between 15% to 40%. The amount promoters gets from stations varies by format and location, and can range from $20,000 a year in a small market that adds little music to about $300,000 a year for a big market music-intensive station, according to the paper. For more about the indie promotion issue, see the upcoming RW.