Jim Owens Entertainment files suit over streaming of 'Music City Tonight'

The streaming over re-runs of the "Music City Tonight" television show on Roku has prompted a lawsuit pitting Jim Owens Entertainment against Luken Communications.

Jim Owens Entertainment produced the show in the 1990s and licensed it to be rebroadcast by Luken.

But, according to a lawsuit filed by Jim Owens Entertainment in Chancery Court last week, Luken illegally licensed the show to Roku, which is an over-the-top streaming service.

According to the lawsuit, the contract between Jim Owens and Luken was strictly for broadcast rights on stations under license by the Federal Communications Commission.

The legal dispute highlights a growing concern in the music industry since such on-demand streaming services weren't as popular even six years ago when the contract was signed.

Jim Owens Entertainment, which produces broadcast music programming, is suing for interest, attorneys' fees and costs, though an exact dollar figure isn't specified.

According to documents filed along with the legal complaint, Luken argues that a provision in the contract granting it to license the show for "all broadcast rights via any technology for the United States and its territories" covers over-the-top services like Roku. Because over-the-top services are allowed in the U.S., the agreement could be interpreted to mean Luken's deals with Roku and similar companies are allowed.

Jim Owens Entertainment sent a letter to Luken in November demanding that episodes of the show be removed immediately.

Among Luken's stable of services is a broadcast platform called Retro TV, which programs classic television shows like "Music City Tonight."

"Music City Tonight" was a country music program that had a three-year run in the 1990s.

Reach Nate Rau at 615-259-8094 and nrau@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter @tnnaterau.