Archive for January, 2009
Exactly what is the mix between free and paid? According to estimates released Friday morning by the IFPI, 95 percent of all music downloads are acquired illegally. The figure is no surprise to those monitoring file-trading volumes, though the ratio reinforces the marginal nature of paid content. “The music sector is still overshadowed by the huge amount of unlicensed music distributed online,” the group stated. “Generating value in an environment where 95 percent of music downloads are illegal and unpaid for is still the biggest challenge for music companies and their commercial partners.” Read the rest of this entry »
What are music fans really watching on YouTube? According to a ranking compiled by exclusive data partner BigChampagne, urban crossover and mainstream pop songs easily command the biggest views. Additionally, the ranking is sprinkled with the occasional rock, country and even comedic music video, though big hits are a common thread. Read the rest of this entry »
Live Nation Ticketing Starts Rolling; Rapino Pumps Wall Street
Live Nation is now rolling the first phases of its homegrown ticketing service, part of a major shift away from Ticketmaster. Live Nation has been putting various pieces together for months, including a retail sales relationship with Blockbuster. The initial, soft rollout happened over the holidays, and the first wave involves roughly 50, mostly-smaller venues controlled by Live Nation. Bigger venues appear to be tied to existing Ticketmaster deals, set to expire shortly.
The aggressive move creates a major competitor for Ticketmaster, though Live Nation is still charging aggressive service fees. On Thursday, Rolling Stone encountered a “ticket fee” of $13.50 on a $29.50 show in Denver, and the same fee on a $49.50 Pretenders show in New York. Ticketmaster is no stranger to onerous fees, though fans are never enthusiastic about surcharges.
Meanwhile, Live Nation chief executive Michael Rapino attempted to downplay fears of softening attendance in 2009. During an investor presentation, Rapino pointed to sales of 2.91 million tickets during 2008, down from 2.95 million in 2007. Despite the mild drop, the company gained revenues, thanks to higher ticket prices. The Rapino optimism prompted a rally on Wall Street, leaving Live Nation (LYV) up 15.9 percent to $6.27.
