Extreme Anime Radio to Suspend Music Broadcasts on December 31
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Extreme Anime Radio (XAR) has announced that it intends to suspend all music programming at or about 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
The station will suspend music broadcasts due to continued financial difficulties, and because it has not been able to come to terms to continue music programming for the 2020 calendar year. XAR may consider resuming music broadcasts in the future if a new and financially sensible agreement can be reached.
XAR's last live programming under its current licensing arrangements is scheduled to take place on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019 at 8 PM Eastern Time. Beginning in 2020, the station plans to continue under the XAR name through podcast and talk programming that does not require music royalty payments.
Established in February 2001, Extreme Anime Radio (formerly Keiichi.net Radio) brings internet listeners all over the world the latest, greatest and finest Japanese music, with a focus on music from Anime, J-Pop, J-Rock and Video Games. The station has been run by a group of dedicated individuals for nearly 19 years and has amassed a playlist of close to 12,000 tracks that listeners can request from on its website, animeradio.net.
XAR has operated under federal copyright laws in order to ensure that parties are fairly compensated for the music played. The station contracts with licensing companies that help report music performances to the relevant authorities.
XAR has faced higher operating costs since 2016, when a ruling by the United States Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) to set music royalty rules for a five-year period between 2016 and 2020 took effect. The CRB's published rules did not include a renewal of an important provision called the Webcaster Settlement Act (WSA). Under the WSA, smaller webcasters such as XAR could broadcast music and remit performance royalties in an affordable manner.
In addition to the higher financial burden, several licensing companies have chosen to close their businesses suddenly and without warning in the time since the CRB's ruling took effect. Most recently, following the closure of another provider in mid-2019, XAR has been forced to end its 24-hour broadcasts and implement a restricted schedule of just seven hours per day.
Jose “JR” Ramos, owner of Extreme Anime Radio, issued the following statement:
“I would like to thank everyone who has supported and tuned in to this wonderful labor of love in some form or another since Michael 'Keiichi' Morris first flipped the switch in February of 2001. I especially wish to say thanks to those who have helped run the station and host various programming in that time.
“It has been difficult to continue operating the station since our costs first went up back in 2016. While previously manageable, the surge of bills and debt since June have caused a lot of financial difficulty, as well as personal strain. I have reached the difficult conclusion that the station cannot continue as it is, absent significant financial support and a new arrangement for licensing.
“Over the last couple of months, I have attempted to reach a new agreement with a provider that shares an interest in promoting internet radio and supporting small broadcasters. We have not yet been able to reach an agreement. With the holidays upon us and the New Year rapidly approaching, I estimate little to no chance of reaching an agreement by the end of the calendar year on December 31.
“A few of the hosts and I are planning occasional podcast-type talk shows after our music stops at the end of the month. We have successfully done a few of these shows in the face of similar circumstances. While it certainly will not compare to the way things were, it will allow us to continue on for the time being.
“It is unclear as to if and when we can return the Anime and J-Pop music that our supporters have enjoyed so much back to the internet. We will continue to have a presence on social media, and ask our supporters to follow us for the latest developments.”
XAR can be reached on Facebook (facebook.com/animeradio) and on Instagram (@extremeanimeradio). The page dedicated to station mascot Sarah Yoshida, featuring interpretations by a dedicated group of cosplayers and artists, can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/animeradiomascot).
XAR will continue to be open to financial donations through a link on its website, animeradio.net. Any donations received will be used to pay off the station's residual royalty bills for the 2019 calendar year. Depending on the circumstances, XAR reserves the right to refuse and refund donations. In addition, recurring subscriptions for individuals who were grandfathered in from the station's Enhanced Listener Service will be discontinued on or about January 1, 2020.
XAR will continue “Sarah Shout-Outs”, announced earlier this month, with customized video greetings and shout-outs featuring the cosplayers of Sarah Yoshida. Videos are priced at $20.20 each and, as with the donations, proceeds will go toward paying off the station's remaining financial obligations for 2019.
Listeners and followers with any questions can reach XAR by e-mail at [email protected] or send a private message on the station's Facebook or Instagram accounts.
The station will suspend music broadcasts due to continued financial difficulties, and because it has not been able to come to terms to continue music programming for the 2020 calendar year. XAR may consider resuming music broadcasts in the future if a new and financially sensible agreement can be reached.
XAR's last live programming under its current licensing arrangements is scheduled to take place on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019 at 8 PM Eastern Time. Beginning in 2020, the station plans to continue under the XAR name through podcast and talk programming that does not require music royalty payments.
Established in February 2001, Extreme Anime Radio (formerly Keiichi.net Radio) brings internet listeners all over the world the latest, greatest and finest Japanese music, with a focus on music from Anime, J-Pop, J-Rock and Video Games. The station has been run by a group of dedicated individuals for nearly 19 years and has amassed a playlist of close to 12,000 tracks that listeners can request from on its website, animeradio.net.
XAR has operated under federal copyright laws in order to ensure that parties are fairly compensated for the music played. The station contracts with licensing companies that help report music performances to the relevant authorities.
XAR has faced higher operating costs since 2016, when a ruling by the United States Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) to set music royalty rules for a five-year period between 2016 and 2020 took effect. The CRB's published rules did not include a renewal of an important provision called the Webcaster Settlement Act (WSA). Under the WSA, smaller webcasters such as XAR could broadcast music and remit performance royalties in an affordable manner.
In addition to the higher financial burden, several licensing companies have chosen to close their businesses suddenly and without warning in the time since the CRB's ruling took effect. Most recently, following the closure of another provider in mid-2019, XAR has been forced to end its 24-hour broadcasts and implement a restricted schedule of just seven hours per day.
Jose “JR” Ramos, owner of Extreme Anime Radio, issued the following statement:
“I would like to thank everyone who has supported and tuned in to this wonderful labor of love in some form or another since Michael 'Keiichi' Morris first flipped the switch in February of 2001. I especially wish to say thanks to those who have helped run the station and host various programming in that time.
“It has been difficult to continue operating the station since our costs first went up back in 2016. While previously manageable, the surge of bills and debt since June have caused a lot of financial difficulty, as well as personal strain. I have reached the difficult conclusion that the station cannot continue as it is, absent significant financial support and a new arrangement for licensing.
“Over the last couple of months, I have attempted to reach a new agreement with a provider that shares an interest in promoting internet radio and supporting small broadcasters. We have not yet been able to reach an agreement. With the holidays upon us and the New Year rapidly approaching, I estimate little to no chance of reaching an agreement by the end of the calendar year on December 31.
“A few of the hosts and I are planning occasional podcast-type talk shows after our music stops at the end of the month. We have successfully done a few of these shows in the face of similar circumstances. While it certainly will not compare to the way things were, it will allow us to continue on for the time being.
“It is unclear as to if and when we can return the Anime and J-Pop music that our supporters have enjoyed so much back to the internet. We will continue to have a presence on social media, and ask our supporters to follow us for the latest developments.”
XAR can be reached on Facebook (facebook.com/animeradio) and on Instagram (@extremeanimeradio). The page dedicated to station mascot Sarah Yoshida, featuring interpretations by a dedicated group of cosplayers and artists, can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/animeradiomascot).
XAR will continue to be open to financial donations through a link on its website, animeradio.net. Any donations received will be used to pay off the station's residual royalty bills for the 2019 calendar year. Depending on the circumstances, XAR reserves the right to refuse and refund donations. In addition, recurring subscriptions for individuals who were grandfathered in from the station's Enhanced Listener Service will be discontinued on or about January 1, 2020.
XAR will continue “Sarah Shout-Outs”, announced earlier this month, with customized video greetings and shout-outs featuring the cosplayers of Sarah Yoshida. Videos are priced at $20.20 each and, as with the donations, proceeds will go toward paying off the station's remaining financial obligations for 2019.
Listeners and followers with any questions can reach XAR by e-mail at [email protected] or send a private message on the station's Facebook or Instagram accounts.
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