PCAM Challenges Audio Network Model

PCAM Chair Jonathan Goldstein and BAC&S Chief Executive Patrick Rackow met with John Whittingdale MP and Andrew Sunnucks of Audio Network at the House of Commons recently.

The meeting was proposed by John Whittingdale in response to our letter (and the objections that many of you posted on his site) about Audio Network and his involvement with it. He suggested it would be good for us all to meet in order to gain a better understanding on both sides. The meeting certainly achieved this, but not necessarily in the way intended!

We became better informed than ever about the various aspects of the Audio Network business model that we disagree with. Unfortunately, we were unable to persuade either Andrew Sunnucks or John Whittingdale that there was anything wrong with their business despite a great deal of effort and many good-humoured analogies to explain our issues clearly.

At the close of the meeting we said we had hoped to report something favourable back to the thousands of members our organisations jointly represented but sadly this wouldn’t be possible (apart from a suggestion that they might consider opening dialogue with MCPS at some point if terms can be agreed, but nothing has been mentioned since).

It remains to be seen how things will develop. They seemed largely unmoved by how much they have alienated the composing community.

The important thing is that the meeting has taken place and all important matters clarified and discussed in detail. If any change is possible, dialogue is the first step in making it happen. We will continue to keep members informed.

17-03-09