NBC Unwilling To Pay Music Publishing Fees For Jimmy Fallon Show

from the cheaping-out dept

Thu, Feb 19th 2009 9:44pm — Mike Masnick

NBC Universal may be concerned about the poor corn farmers who it claims are losing out due to piracy, but apparently the company isn't that concerned about music publishers. The Licensing Plate points us to the news that NBC Universal refuses to pay any music publishing fees to allow the band The Roots to play anyone else's music for the new Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. That means, the band has to write 200 new songs to play on the show. Obviously, this is NBC Universal's choice, but the whole thing seems a bit questionable, given the number of NBC Universal execs we see moralizing about the importance of paying for content. Also, considering how we've seen collections societies tell others that it doesn't matter if they promise to only play original works, will ASCAP and BMI charge NBC Universal anyway? Or does NBC Universal get special treatment from those collections societies?

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Filed Under: jimmy fallon, licensing, music publishing, roots

8 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 20 Feb 2009 @ 2:15am

"Obviously, this is NBC Universal's choice, ..." and obviously you have no story only a silly blog.

".....but the whole thing seems a bit questionable, given the number of NBC Universal execs we see moralizing about the importance of paying for content." what you are talking about ? you've already acknowldged it's NBC's choice what on earth is questionable about the exercising choice ? that's part of freedom - perhaps the Masnicks would like to impose some strict religious control.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Feb 2009 @ 4:06am

Re:
Dear Anonymous, it's called hypocrisy...
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moe, 20 Feb 2009 @ 4:26am

Re: Re:
Actually, AC is right.

NBC decided it didn't want to pay the fees to use others' music, so it decided not to use it. It would be hypocrisy if NBC used someone else's music but refused to pay the fee.
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john smith, 20 Feb 2009 @ 4:27am

This in itself is a great indicator of how much the general public is being bilked (cable costs) for pretty much zero content of almost entirely back to back reruns and 'have-video-camera-will-make-tv-show' content.
Fortunately, hdtv tuner/receiver willing, one can now get basic tv as well as broadcast radio all in hi-def for free.
Although I do plan on going fios when it's available sans the home phone part. If I lived alone I would only buy an internet connect period.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Feb 2009 @ 6:51am

Re:
Are you lonely? Need someone to talk to?
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inc, 20 Feb 2009 @ 7:56am

We will see if they can do it. If NBC can lead by example and actually create content then good for them. It would also be fun to see those collections societies try to collect money from NBC for those "original" songs.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Feb 2009 @ 11:43am

I guess we are finally seeing an upside to the arcane, medieval licensing requirements. It's actually encouraging innovation!!!

Right???

Right???
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TomB, 22 Feb 2009 @ 7:43am

This is nothing new...
... Craig Ferguson has been complaining forever about the license-free canned music CBS forces him to use on-air. Of course, CBS is also too cheap to pay for a Late Late Show house band...
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