FAC and MMF talk On air/On sale

The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), and Music Managers Forum (MMF) have pitched into the ‘On-Air / On-sale’ debate by issuing a joint statement this week.

As previously reported, the move towards making tracks commercially available on the same day that they go to radio was adopted by Universal and Sony at the beginning of the year. This has been cautiously accepted by the wider industry as a means of stemming the ongoing flow of music piracy and meeting the expectations of younger audiences who are used to the immediacy of online experiences.

The statement reads: “As an industry, we’re either in favour of a world where artists, labels and managers hold back releases to manipulate the charts, or we’re in favour of a world where licensed download services are the first port of call for new music. Which is it?”

It continues: “As an industry we campaigned for the stick of the Digital Economy Act yet happily turn a blind eye when it suits us. On Air On Sale is not On Air On Sale if we apply it selectively”

The FAC is an industry body campaigning for the protection of the rights of UK performers and musicians. The Board of Directors includes Billy Bragg alongside members of Radiohead, Blur and The Futureheads. You can find out more and read the complete statement about On Air/On sale at their website.