Station Refuses To Compromise Quality, Educational Programming

DETROIT - February 24, 2003 - WDET 101.9FM Detroit Public Radio has temporarily suspended streaming its music programming on its website (wdetfm.org) today because of rules created by the recording industry limiting what music can be streamed. These rules designed by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and approved by Congress dictate how stations must stream music by a particular artist within a certain amount of time. For example, a station is not allowed to play more than two songs in a row by the same artist, and not allowed to play more than four songs by the same artist within a three-hour period.

"This decision was incredibly difficult for us," said Caryn Mathes, WDET General Manager. "We have been committed to serving listeners via our web stream, but we are not willing to compromise the programming that makes WDET so attractive to listeners. To continue to stream our music programming would require us to abandon a fundamental philosophy of our organization."

WDET has been recognized nationally for its music programming. The music hosts work in a "free-form" format, which allows the host autonomy in deciding what music to play. Regular listeners to WDET will often hear birthday tributes or spotlights on musical artists, or have an opportunity to hear an entire album played. In either case, a listener would hear more than two songs in a row by the same artist. While it is still permissible to broadcast unlimited songs in a row by the same artist, the new RIAA mandate do not permit it for web streaming.

"We are investigating whether we can maintain our educational integrity and still comply with the rules on what can be streamed," said Mathes. "Congress approved these restrictions at the behest of the recording industry as part of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act."

WDET will continue to stream its news and information programming, as it is not impacted. Popular programs like Morning Edition, Fresh Air, Car Talk and All Things Considered will still be available to listeners at wdetfm.org.

WDET is a community service of Wayne State University.