SoundExchange "Optimistic" on Pub Radio Deal

The Washington Post reported today that SoundExchange head John Simson said he is optimistic about reaching an agreement soon with public radio stations, possibly by the end of September. The article goes on to say:

Mike Riksen, NPR's vice president of government relations, said NPR was in the midst of a wide-ranging survey of the online usage habits of public radio listeners that was "very complex and very time-consuming," but he expected to meet with SoundExchange soon to discuss the results.

Deals with commercial broadcasters seem to be slower developing. Jonathan Potter, executive director of the Digital Media Association was quoted as saying he's "cautiously optimistic" about reaching a deal in the next several weeks." The National Association of Broadcasters is still waiting for a response to their latest proposal.