How Susan Boyle's YouTube Star Turn Is Helping Revive Interest In Les Mis

from the well-check-that-out dept

As the recording industry continues to freak out about videos on YouTube without compensation, the whole media sensation Susan Boyle phenomenon is showing how such videos on YouTube clearly act as promotion for the music. Paul Kedrosky notes that Boyle's now famous rendition of a song from Les Miserables has shot the Les Mis CD up from a rank of 1,000 to 32 on Amazon's sales charts, while Mathew Ingram notes that tickets for the live performance of Les Mis have also skyrocketed. And the recording industry still claims that Google is somehow "exploiting" music while giving it all this promotion? Rob Hyndman chimes in, wondering just how many DMCA notices prevented similar results elsewhere. Indeed.


Reader Comments (rss)

(Flattened / Threaded)

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    identicon
    Ima Fish, Apr 21st, 2009 @ 9:19am

    "Google is somehow "exploiting" music while giving it all this promotion?"

    Google "exploits" music in the same way radio does and MTV did. By that I mean it doesn't.

     

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      Anonymous Coward, Apr 21st, 2009 @ 9:39am

      Re:

      That's a dangerous comparisson to make these days, since the RIAA is trying to kill radio by heaping on new fees. It's "only fair," since no one would listen to radio without the music.

       

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        Brian O, Apr 21st, 2009 @ 10:33am

        Re: Re:

        "That's a dangerous comparisson to make these days, since the RIAA is trying to kill radio by heaping on new fees. It's "only fair," since no one would listen to radio without the music."

        This is a lie. The fact is that the radio/RIAA relationship is WIN WIN. Without radio, people wouldn't know about the music (it serves as a promotional tool). Without the artists, music radio would have no content.

        The radio station can make money from advertisers, RIAA makes money from the increased sales. In fact, I believe RIAA and others used to or still do PAY radio stations to play their music.

        Is there some balance between paying the radio stations or having the radio stations pay to play the music? I don't know! (and I don't care). Leave that to them but OBVIOUSLY if RIAA charges radio too much for their music, the radio stations will be hurt and in the end it will also hurt RIAA.

        But, isn't that what RIAA is trying to do? (suicide)

         

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          Weird Harold's former #5 fan, Apr 21st, 2009 @ 10:55am

          Re: Re: Re:

          The fact is that the radio/RIAA relationship is WIN WIN

          Therein lies the problem - the RIAA doesn't believe that it can win unless someone else is losing.

           

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          Anonymous Coward, Apr 21st, 2009 @ 11:35am

          Re: Re: Re:

          the radio stations will be hurt and in the end it will also hurt RIAA.

          Exactly my point, but that doesn't change the fact that the RIAA is trying to do it. Somehow, if they don't see direct revenu, they figure they're being cheated.

           

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          BTR1701, Apr 22nd, 2009 @ 8:38am

          Re: Re: Re: Payola

          > In fact, I believe RIAA and others used to
          > or still do PAY radio stations to play
          > their music.

          Nope. That would be illegal. It's called payola and it was quite the scandal when it first happened.

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Payola

           

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        Anonymous Coward, May 9th, 2009 @ 4:42am

        Re: Re:

         

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    TheStuipdOne, Apr 21st, 2009 @ 9:40am

    I finally watched the video

    damn!

    she's the exact oposite of an american pop singer which means she's ugly and can really sing.

     

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    RAYMOND LACHANCE, II, Apr 21st, 2009 @ 10:08am

    susan is indeed 'a breath of fresh air !!!

     

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      Anonymous Coward, Apr 21st, 2009 @ 10:44am

      Re: susan is indeed 'a breath of fresh air !!!

      Who came up with this stupid metaphor "breath of fresh air"!

      Earlier it was Sarah Palin, and now...

       

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    Anonymous Coward, Apr 21st, 2009 @ 10:22am

    It would be interesting to see Google charge the copyright holders for the free advertising since they 'stole' Google's YouTube platform.

     

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    Anonymous Coward, Apr 21st, 2009 @ 11:07am

    Ew

    Good god, it's Benny Hill. In drag. Again.

     

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    Lee, Apr 22nd, 2009 @ 2:50am

    Susan Boyle Quiz Challenge

    I've wasted a whole day making the fun Susan Boyle Quiz Challenge!!! :)

    http://www.jiba-jaba.com/SusanBoyleQuiz.aspx

    I quite like it though....so time well spent.

    Susan to Win!

     

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    Dee Dee Vaccaro, May 2nd, 2009 @ 12:49pm

    Susan Boyle

    Susan has the most angelic voice I have ever heard. I am so glad that the whole world has heard an ordinary person and the talent that they have with no training, no funds to futher their talent. She is extraordinary and she brings tears to my eyes everytime I watch the video. We are so hasty to make decisions about people according to their looks, style, and what they can afford. I am so glad that the world has heard her, and If I ever met her It would be an honor.

     

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    tenley, May 24th, 2009 @ 7:27pm

    'kay, Mike Masnick, you give away all your writing for free?

     

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