The Blog for Video 2.0
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Led Zeppelin goes digital
The NYTimes is reporting on Led Zeppelin's decision to sell its music online. The group is one of the last superstar acts to hold out against the digital tide.
Under a series of new agreements, the band will make its songs available first as ringtones and similar mobile features starting this week in an exclusive deal with Verizon Wireless. Digital downloads of songs from the band’s eight studio albums and other recordings are expected to be available through Verizon and digital-music services, including iTunes, on Nov. 13.
In the US, the only digital holdouts that outsell Led Zeppelin are the Beatles and Garth Brooks
Under a series of new agreements, the band will make its songs available first as ringtones and similar mobile features starting this week in an exclusive deal with Verizon Wireless. Digital downloads of songs from the band’s eight studio albums and other recordings are expected to be available through Verizon and digital-music services, including iTunes, on Nov. 13.
In the US, the only digital holdouts that outsell Led Zeppelin are the Beatles and Garth Brooks
Labels: digital distribution, iTunes, led zeppelin, music, music downloads, online music, rock
Friday, October 12, 2007
Universal looking to take on iTunes
Businessweek details the plans of Universal chief Doug Morris to take on Apple's iTunes music service.
Morris was once a proponent of Apple's iTunes music store, but has since changed his tune. According to Businessweek sources, Morris is joining forces with other record companies to launch an "industry-owned" subscription service.
Representing 75% of music sold in the U.S., they would ask hardware makers or cell carriers to pay them a $5/month subscription fee. In exchange, consumers of their products would get unlimited music at no additional cost to them ("free"). Music companies would get the $5/month and hardware companies would theoretically sell more units.
Of interest, Businessweek notes that despite these efforts to undermine iTunes, Universal can't afford to simply pull their music from iTunes, which holds a 70% marketshare in music downloads.
Morris was once a proponent of Apple's iTunes music store, but has since changed his tune. According to Businessweek sources, Morris is joining forces with other record companies to launch an "industry-owned" subscription service.
Representing 75% of music sold in the U.S., they would ask hardware makers or cell carriers to pay them a $5/month subscription fee. In exchange, consumers of their products would get unlimited music at no additional cost to them ("free"). Music companies would get the $5/month and hardware companies would theoretically sell more units.
Of interest, Businessweek notes that despite these efforts to undermine iTunes, Universal can't afford to simply pull their music from iTunes, which holds a 70% marketshare in music downloads.
Labels: iTunes, music, music downloads, online music, Universal
Friday, July 6, 2007
Universal confirms changes to iTunes deal
Universal Music Group will not renew its long-term licensing agreement with Apple iTunes, instead moving to an 'at-will' model.
It's the end of tough negotiations between the two firms. The previous three-year deal between them expired last year, and a temporary one-year agreement was reached.
Stakes are high: while Universal is the label behind one-in-three records released worldwide, Apple's iTunes service has become the thrid-biggest music retailer in the U.S.
It is thought that Universal wants to be able to offer some music by some bands exclusively through other online music services in its attempt to reduce Apple's control of the online business.
This could mean that music from key artists may not be made available through Apple's service.
It's the end of tough negotiations between the two firms. The previous three-year deal between them expired last year, and a temporary one-year agreement was reached.
Stakes are high: while Universal is the label behind one-in-three records released worldwide, Apple's iTunes service has become the thrid-biggest music retailer in the U.S.
It is thought that Universal wants to be able to offer some music by some bands exclusively through other online music services in its attempt to reduce Apple's control of the online business.
This could mean that music from key artists may not be made available through Apple's service.
Labels: iTunes, music downloads, online music, Universal
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