That's it! RIAA ups sub fees $2/mo + $1 for each receiver
Just got this by email entitled "Important Information about your Sirius Account":
Quote:
Originally Posted by email
Thank you for being a SIRIUS subscriber. We are dedicated to providing our subscribers with the best programming and listener experience available on radio today. As part of this commitment, we have an important update regarding your SIRIUS subscription.
Music royalty rights were established by the U.S. Congress as part of the Copyright Act. This Act requires payment of copyright music royalties to recording artists, musicians and recording companies who hold copyrights in sound recordings.
These royalties have recently increased dramatically, principally as a result of a decision made by the Copyright Royalty Board, which is designated by the Library of Congress to set royalty rates for sound recordings. Beginning on July 29, 2009, a “U.S. Music Royalty Fee” of $1.98/month* for primary subscriptions and $.97/month* for multi-receiver subscriptions will be effective upon your next renewal. This fee will be used directly to offset increased payments from SIRIUS XM to the recording industry.
Unfortunately, we cannot control the Copyright Royalty Board's rate increase, but we can offer you ways to save on your subscription. The longer your subscription, the more you save!
That is IT. Skyrocketing fees, lowered quality and variety. Botched product launches. No Stern on the iPhone. Charging for the internet stream. And now this.
I think I've just about had it. I'm done.
Let's see, I have my sub ($12.95), my wife on the 2nd receiver ($6.95), premium internet ($2.99), Best of XM ($3.99 or did they lower it?), and now these additional fees will add on another $3. I'm paying $30/month for what started out at $13 a month. For a product that's getting worse. To hell with it.