As much as it hurts me to say something positive about a record label, I am forced to give credit where credit is due. Universal Music actually did something smart today. A little overdue but smart. Today Universal Group Distribution launched an online storefront, Groovetown Vinyl, specifically for vinyl and FLAC formats. “In recent years, there’s been a revolution in sound quality, and consumers are...
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I know I’m a little late weighing in on this (I’ve been out of commission for the last couple of weeks) but I’ve read all of the coverage and I can tell you one thing for sure—the labels won’t sue Amazon over it’s new locker service. Why? It’s very simple—money. Like in legal fees. The main issues are currently being litigated in the EMI...
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Apple is reportedly pushing hard to re-launch their new and improved MobileMe service this April, but what hasn’t been mentioned is that they’re pressuring major record labels to have all of the music licenses in place for the long rumored locker service planned for launch at the same time. Informed sources say that Apple has sealed its deal with Warner and has been using...
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As you all know, Doug Morris’ migration to Sony was first reported here and since then I’ve tried to keep informed on the latest scuttlebutt. I also reported that Morris doesn’t make a move without his doppelganger Mel Lewinter. Here’s the latest on what will be Morris’ first move as CEO of Sony Music. Septuagenarian Morris is set to begin his new job on July 1. Coincidentally,...
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Last Wednesday a few people started tweeting that “Free and Legal Music Downloads now available from @Qtrax – Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/qtrax18”. At first most of these tweets emanated from Qtrax’s PR firm based in West Palm Beach, FL and from one of its attorneys, followed by some company insiders and acolytes. The tweet was immediately posted anonymously on an investors’ forum dedicated to...
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The record industry is putting all of their eggs in the Google basket, some labels believing that the search engine giant’s music service will deliver them from ruin, as well as the grips of Apple, and restore them back to health. They’re looking at the Google deal as a monster payday, with one label in particular thinking that the company’s future depends on it....
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A couple of weeks ago Warner Music held its annual earnings conference call and I was very critical of some of Junior’s statements and his overall performance as CEO. I caught a little heat from some quarters over that, saying they thought that I was a little harsh. Some asked why was I being so hard on them. Well, it’s because they deserve it. I...
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Mr. Stoute, I’ve never met you nor ever heard of you before last Sunday. I’m sure that you’re a very nice person with the best of intentions. I haven’t purchased an ad in any edition of the New York Times. I can’t afford it, but I’m glad that someone in the music industry can. However after reading your letter in the Sunday New York...
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You’ve probably heard by now that Apple plans to charge fees on any subscription services purchased through their platform. Publishers and service providers are apoplectic over it. Simply put, Apple is insisting that any subscription service, like Netflix for instance, that generates cash from IOS4 apps must give Apple a 30% cut. Users can certainly subscribe directly from Netflix and download the Netflix app...
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The Music Void
