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Big Record Label 'Innovation': Actually Release Songs For Sale The Same Time They Hit The Radio

Music Industry

from the this-counts-as-a-step-forward? dept

Mon, Jan 17th 2011 12:47pm — Mike Masnick
I can't quite figure out which is more amusing: the fact that record labels are just now thinking that maybe it makes sense to release songs for sale the same time they're sent to radio stations, or that it's seen as newsworthy as a strategy to "beat piracy." I mean, it's a good sign that the labels are finally realizing that a lack of availability is often a driver for unauthorized copies making the rounds, but the fact that they're only coming to this conclusion in 2011 suggests just how out of touch these labels are with the world. People were making this point over a decade ago.
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Filed Under: releases, songs

54 Comments | Leave a Comment

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  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:01pm

    Sure its easy enough for us young guys outside of the warped unreality of big business to understand. Try explaining it to grandpa and his flunkies wrapped in their cocoon of corporate ritual.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Christopher Gizzi, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:07pm

    Release Windows

    Because delaying the release by 28 days or using other windows is a sure fire way to add value and increase sales.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 4:08pm

      Re: Release Windows

      Depends to whom you are selling.

      Sales to the public this is laughable but to make the illusion of value for other companies this worked well for many years.

      Those windows are not for the public they are for other companies, other third parties that they want to extract money from, they don't think of the public as their biggest consumers, they think of retailers as their consumers they don't want to deal with the public because it is messy and unpleasant.

      This is what file-sharing vanquished. Those 3rd parties are now history or at least this is what they think, the problem is there is still 3rd parties out there but they don't want to deal with them because they are smarter than they are and will rip all of the benefits(i.e. Apple, Google, Intel, Nokia and so on).

      Convergence is the game.

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous, 18 Jan 2011 @ 3:24am

      Re: Release Windows

      Go ask Redbox how much immediate release doesn't matter...

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2011 @ 11:28am

        Re: Re: Release Windows

        Except that movie sales didn't increase ...

        Delaying the release may hurt a 3rd party (Redbox) but if it doesn't help the primary manufacturer (movie studios) then what is the point? Basically it has driven more people to Netflix (for older streaming flix) and torrents (for new releases).

        [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    iamtheky (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:07pm

    "the record companies believe the move will show ministers that they are playing their part in fighting copyright theft."

    at least they are still doing it for the wrong reasons.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    The Mighty Buzzard (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:10pm

    Holy crap, now that is newsworthy. Now, do I assume this means media execs are starting to get a clue or do I go with the million monkeys theory?

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:10pm

    Anyone remember 45 RPM singles? Weren't they released at the same time the songs hit the radio long ago?

    Maybe, just maybe, the idea of buying singles isn't such a new idea after all ...

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    weneedhelp (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:10pm

    Silly execs

    Worst part is you know some blow hard is walking around with his chest puffed out thinking he is being innovative.

    People were making this point over a decade ago:
    http://blog.cleanenergy.org/files/2009/04/head-in-sand.jpg

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Justin Olbrantz (Quantam) (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:18pm

    Epiphany or Token Gesture?

    So the big question is whether this is because the record labels have finally realized that the internet has made it impossible to absolutely control the supply lines as they could in the past, or whether as was pointed out this is nothing more than a token gesture that they're trying to give fans what they want to satisfy lawmakers. If it's the former, this is a HUGE change (and progress) in corporate paradigm.

    I'm counting the minutes till somebody comments that this is "surrendering to piracy" and shameful.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      The Mighty Buzzard (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:19pm

      Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?

      This is surrendering to piracy and shameful.

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous, 18 Jan 2011 @ 3:41am

      Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?

      How many times does it have to be repeated?

      Nobody cares if geeks, nerds and dorks steal content.

      Wouldn't want to stop how all of you gain inner fulfillment in your empty, worthless lives, now would we? That'd just be mean.

      The idea is to stop it from being so easy for normal people to do so.

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        AJ, 18 Jan 2011 @ 3:54am

        Re: Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?

        "The idea is to stop it from being so easy for normal people to do so."

        To late, by about 10 years or so.....

        [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Gabriel Tane (profile), 18 Jan 2011 @ 5:34am

        Re: Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?

        Interesting... 'repeated'... hmm, that's the first time I've heard anyone say that.

        Now, if you're done making childish attacks at other people, the adults would like to get back to talking. Run along now... I think I saw a Pokémon go that away... if you hurry you can catch it!!!

        Cute lil whippersnappers.

        [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Gabriel Tane (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:19pm

    But But But....

    PIRACY!!! Sorry... had to...

    Does this mean I can stop taping the radio when I'm listening to it? I can finally throw out all my blank cassette tapes?

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:28pm

    I think The Mighty Buzzard might have something with the million monkeys theory.

    Some of the biggest problems with entertain industries today is that the lawyer and the accountant seem to be running the show. Their only solutions are moves that either legate a solution or cut something off to save money. Over time you get what you have now as the face that the public sees. It's not an attractive one either.

    Before all this came to be, you had actual musicians running the music labels and they understood that culture was an integral part of music.

    Today's group management doesn't have a clue, only a series of bitches. (wonders whom will get the double meaning of that one)

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:43pm

    So wait. The record labels do as you have suggested, and now they are idiots and two faced liars for doing it?

    Wow, another amazing day in TD-land.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    herbert, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:55pm

    this has always been about the 'industries' being in control. file sharing meant they lost control, despite being warned that it would happen if they continued to go down the road they were. bringing back this sensible practice, one that was practically begged for years ago, is their attempt to regain that lost control. may work now, may not. they have lost the respect of the public through their total ignoring of what was asked for and the treatment customers received. file sharing gave (and still gives) control to the customers at the industries expense and not just financial, either. they have a lot to do to win back respect. i hope this is the start of that happening, but i think they will continue to be despised for a long time to come because of their attitude, the backward thinking as far as failing to adapt to the digital world, charging way too much for media (keeping too much for themselves) and keeping old fu**ers in charge!

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Jason, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:56pm

    Really?

    People still listen to the radio?

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Chris Rhodes (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 2:01pm

    Reminds Me Of . . .

    Reminds me of all the billboards I've seen around loudly proclaiming that the Beatles are now in iTunes.

    It's cute how proud they are of themselves.

    Congratulations on moving into 10 years ago guys!

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Marcus Carab (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 5:39pm

      Re: Reminds Me Of . . .

      Hehe yeah I have always felt the same way.

      "The most popular band in history is now available on the most popular music distribution channel in the world. And it only took us seven years!"

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 2:13pm

    I know of a record label that beat pirates to the punch.

    Jamendo just kick their a. every time.

    What I get:

    - Free music to listen to, not to use it though..
    - Low prices.
    - Lyrics.
    - Art, fan art
    - My RIGHT(that is right) back to show the music I like to others. That is right I can put that on a filesharing website for others to listen to, no music police knocking on the door.
    - The pleasure to say to copytards "I don't need you baby, go beg elsewhere"

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    AR (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 2:17pm

    Oh great hows BitTorrent going to compete now?

    Oh wait...nevermind.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    fogbugzd (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 2:38pm

    Reason

    There actually was a reason for the old policy. The labels would release to radio first so that demand would build up and and when the song was released it would jump to a high position on the sales charts.

    Position on the sales charts isn't as important as it used to be, so it makes a lot of sense to drop the policy. Of course it would have made sense to do this a long time ago. In a free market this kind of delay would have been punished, but when you are running a government-protected business little things like rationality and market demand don't matter very much.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Bas Grasmayer (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 3:01pm

    Genius! These guys should run our public transport services!

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      AR (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 4:33pm

      Re:

      What a scary thought If that were the case. While we are zipping around in fancy cars, our bus system would still be horse drawn trolleys, the TSA would be suing anyone going faster than the trolleys, and they would be groping the horses. Instead of this announcement, one would be made that they were going to privatize the manufacture of buggy whips to allow all to purchase "at a good price".

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    StrongStyle81, 17 Jan 2011 @ 3:09pm

    time machine

    Now that they're back in 1999 do you think the record companies will let me borrow their time machine after they're finished?

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 4:37pm

    The only innovation I see the record industry doing is the innovation of corporate death.

    They managed to annoy and anger a large portion of society.

    People want give money to entities like that, who are they kidding?

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    mrtraver (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 6:09pm

    Back before the big labels killed my love of buying shiny plastic discs, this used to drive me crazy. If it was something I liked but was't very popular and wasn't being played any more by the time the CD was released, chances were that I would forget about it and never buy it. If it was by an artist in whom I already had an interest, I was going to buy the disc when it came out regardless of when (or whether) it was played on the radio, so it did not build any additional anticipation for me - just frustration that I could not listen to a finished product because of the whim of some label fatcat. I always felt like it was just them showing me that they, not I, had the power. Well, I showed them, didn't I! I used to buy an average of one or two CDs a month, but as my frustration with the business process grew and my awareness of other sources of music grew, my purchases tapered off. Since 2005 I think I have bought four CDs in total; two by the same artist.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    techflaws.org (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 10:15pm

    Reminds me of a DJ friend of mine who was trying to buy Adele's "Rolling In The Deep". He said the drone at the retailers was already sick of people lining up asking for that song all week cause he had to tell them they'd have to wait a month or so till the CD was released.

    Of course not only was it on the radio but also on the net so there's that.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2011 @ 6:14am

    That's not a new idea. Ozzie Nelson was called a genius because he made sure every record store had Ricky's new single available the day after he performed it on the Ozzie and Harriet show. As a result they were always sold out. The first music videos.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]


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