snapshot 6/18/08

We will pay for music if you leave us alone
"The music industry should draw great optimism from this groundbreaking survey," said Feargal Sharkey, head of BMR. "First and foremost, it is quite clear that this young and tech-savvy demographic is as crazy about and engaged with music as any previous generation. Contrary to popular belief, they are also prepared to pay for it, too. But only if offered the services they want."


Diversify or die, claims PWC report
In one of the most extensive reviews of the global entertainment and media (E&M) market to date, management consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers are predicting that spending on all forms of recorded music – from physical formats through to digital distribution on mobile phones - will fall from $33.4bn (£17.1bn) in 2007 to $32.5bn (£16.6bn) in 2012, representing a 0.6% compound annual decline over the next four years.

PWC predicts greatest falls will be felt in the US (-5.3%) followed by EMEA (-1.5%), although there will be slight increase in sales in Latin America and Asia Pacific where broadband penetration per household still has to pick up pace and where mobile downloading is still in its infancy.


Lil Wayne Cracks 1 Million With 'Tha Carter III'
Lil Wayne becomes the first artist since 50 Cent in 2005 to sell more than 1 million copies of an album in a single week, according to chart reports issued tomorrow (June 18) morning by Nielsen SoundScan. in its first week on the market, the rapper's "Tha Carter III" sells just over 1 million units. The last album to top that milestone was 50 Cent's "The Massacre" in March 2005.


Kid Rock Boycotts iTunes, Champions P2P
The digital music revolution has been compromised, according to Kid Rock, because digital music stores and record labels still manage to hoard the lion's share of music revenue. He advises fans to download his music for free from P2P services, although he himself doesn't have to. "I don't steal things," he told the BBC. "I'm rich." As for everyone else, he says, "Download it illegally, I don't care. I want you to hear my music so I can play live."

Rock's tirade was apparently precipitated by a request from his record label, Warner Music Group's Atlantic Records, that he publicly denounce file sharing. His response: "Wait a second, you've been stealing from the artists for years. Now you want me to stand up for you?" Ouch.


TuneCore Opens Digital Aggregator Platform
Flat fee distributor TuneCore is launching a new service which enables other music companies to offer worldwide digital distribution using TuneCore's infrastructure. Now using Google's open API any music company like management, merchandisers and record labels can act as a digital aggregator. From their own sites, these middlemen can, for example, offer the opportunity for artists to "sign themselves" at a variety of costs and benefits including worldwide digital distribution.


Microsoft Relents on Killing MSN Music DRM Authenticaton...For a Few Years
"On April 22, Microsoft notified you that as of August 31st, 2008, we would be changing the level of support for music purchased from MSN Music, and while your existing purchased music would continue to play, you would no longer be able to authorize new PCs and devices to play that music. After careful consideration, Microsoft has decided to continue to support the authorization of new computers and devices and delivery of new license keys for MSN Music customers through at least the end of 2011, after which we will evaluate how much this functionality is still being used and what steps should be taken next to support our customers. This means you will continue to be able to listen to your purchased music and transfer your music to new PCs and devices beyond the previously announced August 31, 2008 date. Microsoft continues to recommend that you back up your music on CD or hard drive along with other important data."