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Charting A New (Chart) Course
July 23, 2010
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"For the first time, the Ultimate Chart will take a record industry, known to be constrained to short-term thinking and a "hits mentality," towards a more long-term, sustainable mindset. For those in the industry who truly want to embrace this new way of thinking about success, there will be no more Tuesday's or trying to game chart results. To get on the top of this chart, not only does an artist have to earn their place, but they have to do so from all angles, not just record sales and plastic discs."
-- From 'Hypebot Exclusive: BigChampagne Launches Ultimate Chart, Measures Indie & DIY Artists Too' by Editor Kyle Byelin (http://tinyurl.com/24nmd6c)Is there anyone reading this that doesn't know Billboard magazine's charts have always been the standard bearer for success in the industry?
If you worked in the radio or record industry, or still do now, then you've heard the old adage "It ain't number one, until it's number one in Billboard."
Maybe that's still true today. More syndicated TV and radio shows use the Billboard chart numbers weekly, and there's little doubt that Billboard is the most recognized international music trade weekly.
Billboard utilized digital technology in the late 1980s when it launched Broadcast Data Systems (BDS) to accurately track airplay at radio stations against radio station chart numbers. It was good technology, and I was the first VP/ Promotion to subscribe to it when they started selling the service to labels. I believed giving such information to my promotion staff and our sales force would empower them in their markets and give them a competitive edge. It did, until every label came on board and it was utilized by everybody in the industry.
Billboard also employed SoundScan to accurately track the sales of music at retail. Once it was put into place, there was no need to call music retailers anymore and ask them to rank their top 10 retail sellers, and give rankings such as "Very Strong," "Strong," "Good," "Fair," and "Poor." (The exact wording of how they categorized sales rankings might not be 100% on the money, but you get the idea)
Both BDS and Soundscan were good technologies that elevated Billboard's charts and credibility in gathering the best data available at retail. But times change and technology moves us ahead at light-speed, making those changes occur faster than ever.
This week at the New Music Seminar in New York, BigChampagne's Co-Founder and CEO, Eric Garland, announced that BigChampagne Media Measurement will now publish the Ultimate Chart.
"The explosive popularity of music in the digital age has given us access to a quality of information about the connection between artists and fans previously unimagined. The Internet launched a thousand charts. But the marketplace is asking, 'ultimately, what does it all mean?' There has been no satisfying answer, until now. The Ultimate Chart examines music sales and radio airplay and the access to music, and socializing around music, that are growing much faster. We're rewriting the top of the charts for the new music business and enlisting the help of its chief architects to surface the most popular music that the charts have overlooked," says Garland. (To see the first Ultimate Chart click here: http://tinyurl.com/23xkjpd)
Garland also announced BigChampagne has created strategic alliances for the Ultimate Chart that includes "retailers, online and traditional broadcasters (radio and television), major content companies, subscription services, social networks and other venues where fans demonstrate their passion for music: Yahoo! Music, Amazon, iTunes, YouTube, VEVO, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, MTV, ClearChannel, MediaBase, AOL, Napster, Microsoft Zune, We Are Hunted, LastFM and many more."
Many tried to develop alternatives to the Billboard charts, and none have ever taken hold as an industry standard. (Before Radio & Records folded several years ago, their charts were also used by several syndicated TV & radio shows, but Billboard maintained their brand as "the industry's bible' chart-wise)
The bottom line when it comes to sales, of course, is what happens at the cash register. However any chart might compile different elements to rank titles, the ultimate reality is the units sold at retail. I don't know any artists who would be unhappy not being #1 on any specific chart if they were consistently in the top 10 or top 20 for a whole lot of weeks and selling lots of albums. As good friend and great radio man Scott Shannon used to say, "It's not how heavy you are ... it's HOW LONG you're heavy." (Translation: Look at Lady GaGa's chart tenacity inside the Top 10 and Top 20 and how many millions of albums she's sold, versus the albums you see debut at #1 occasionally or in the top 5, and then nosedive in week two or week three )
BigChampagne will also publish an Ultimate Chart for independent artists as well. They have lined up alliances with Tunecore, CD Baby, Disc Makers, MySpace Music, Reverb Nation, Topspin, Nimbit and others to give independent artists and music a higher profile. ("We're examining the fastest-growing aspect of the music business for which there has not been a standard measure, by the numbers. Every artist can be counted, and every artist will be counted," Garland says )
There is no "one size fits all" anymore when it comes to deciphering what's happening out there at retail, radio and online, and trying to put it all together in some meaningful fashion.
BigChampagne is to be congratulated in my opinion, for putting the effort into developing the Ultimate Chart, and letting us all take another look at the music in a whole new way.
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 2
UPDATE: RIAA STILL AT IT, MORE LEGAL FEES ON THE WAY
Last week I referenced attorney Ray Beckerman' posted on his website 'Recording Industry vs. The People' an article titled "Ha ha ha ha ha. RIAA paid its lawyers more than $16,000,000 in 2008 to recover only $391,000!!!" (http://tinyurl.com/32dqcax)
This week, for an update on the RIAA's legal doings (and to see how they continue to waste money) check out Ray's latest post, 'RIAA appeals from SONY v Tenenbaum judgment...In SONY BMG Music Entertainment v. Tenenbaum, the RIAA has appealed from the judgment awarding it $67,500 for defendant's downloading of 30 mp3 song files' (http://tinyurl.com/2ddv5xz)
(PS: Not one label exec e-mailed me to justify the ROI on the dollars spent on these lawsuits)
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 3
TV BROADCAST VIEWERSHIP LOWER THAN EVER
The Washington Post did an article a couple of weeks ago and talked about why less people are watching network TV. (http://tinyurl.com/2uut2la)
Yes, it's summer and TV ratings always drop in summer. But when network programming execs feed their audiences nothing but bad TV during the summer months, what do they expect? Isn't the old belief that "people aren't watching TV anyway in summer so we don't have to put on really good shows until fall" truly dated thinking? Doesn't the success of shows like HBO's 'True Blood' and AMC's 'Mad Men,' both which run new episodes to very respectable audiences in summer, defeat that thinking?
Of course, when people who have cable or satellite TV see these shows, they become more likely to sample other great shows like 'Breaking Bad,' etc., and they start watching more cable and satellite, and less network TV.
When you program bad TV, the results are a self-fulfilling prophesy.
In May 2005, I wrote this in the newsletter: "Network reruns and horrific summer programming did more to drive people to cable TV than almost anything else. Once viewers saw there was something else that offered fresh programming in those summer months, they were hooked. If HBO and Showtime can debut series in June and summer months and generate respectable audience numbers, isn't that yet more evidence people will pay to be entertained at anytime of the year? ...And while the TV networks plan their fall schedules, Jeff Gralnick, a technology and Internet consultant to NBC News, said,
"We're dealing with an audience that's no longer rooted to their television sets," Gralnick said. "It's a much more mobile audience. It's a much busieraudience." Busy, yes. But no matter how busy, the audience still wants to be entertained."
Being entertained doesn't mean the audience wants to watch four of five 'CSI:Crime Scene' or 'Law And Order' shows every week either. (At this point, there are so many shows that are clones of others, the writers might actually be able to bicycle scripts around to each other and just change the characters names and story locations)
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 4
THE PIRATES STILL SAIL IN SWEDEN
I've said dozens of times in the newsletter, that despite all the efforts of lawyers and politicians, there is no stopping illegal file-sharing. (And no, the new efforts inside our nation's capitol to enlist ISPs in the fight will not stop people from doing it, either. Those that believe it will are completely in denial of what existing technology enables people to do.)
This week, the Swedish Pirate Party, who are at the forefront of anti-copyright lobbying in Sweden, are planning to shake up the country's ISP market. After taking over the supply of bandwidth to The Pirate Bay, Piratpartiet will now partner in the launch of Pirate ISP, a new broadband service that will offer anonymity to customers and provide financial support to the Party. Read about it here http://tinyurl.com/3y63wen
And Now For Some News ...
The Top Earning Artists Of 2010 (So Far)
FORBESWhat does it take to become one of the highest-paid musicians of the 2010s? A career that peaked in the 1980s. Nearly half of the artists that make up this year's list of the top-earning music acts have been around long enough that they could have appeared on the soundtrack to "Back to the Future." Then, of course, there's Lady GaGa.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Pandora Has 60 Million Subscribers
TechCrunchGrowth indeed.
At the New Music Seminar in New York this week, the streaming music recommendation service Pandora announced that they now have 60 million listeners registered. This is up from 50 million in April, and 40 million in December. Before that, it took them all over 2009 to double in size from 20 million to 40 million.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Apple Reports Highest Earnings Ever
CNETiPhone 4 problems or not, Apple continued its earnings streak and reported $3.23 billion in profit on $15.7 billion in revenue, its highest quarterly revenue ever.
Add up all those iPads you now see popping up everywhere like iPods did in the beginning, and all the folks using iPhones, and it's easy to see just how far Apple has succeeded in developing products consumers love.
Read more about it by clicking here.
YouTube Music Redux
The Next WebRecognizing its popularity among music- and music video-seeking consumers, YouTube on Thursday debuted a revamped music page. It's "part of a redesign that started with our shows and movies pages," according the video-sharing site, as it "showcases the most-viewed music videos, special promotions, curated playlists, unsigned talent and gives you the ability to create on-the-fly mixes."
From The Next Web,"When you ask nearly anyone where they go on the Internet to listen to music, an overwhelming majority will say YouTube." YouTube has also launched new functions for finding new music, listening to playlists, and soon plans to let users find local music listings with an "Events Near You" service. Meanwhile, mousing over one of the sections along the top will give users an instant peek at the playlist for that section.
Read the rest here: http://tinyurl.com/2foef93AND SPEAKING OF YOUTUBE....
YouTube May Stats: 100 Videos Per Viewer
MediaPost/ReutersNew data from comScore shows that 183 million U.S. Internet users watched online video during the month of May. YouTube.com achieved record levels of viewing activity with an all-time high of 14.6 billion videos viewed and surpassing the threshold of 100 videos per viewer for the first time.
U.S. Internet users watched nearly 34 billion videos in May, with Google sites ranking as the top video property with 14.6 billion videos, representing 43.1% of all videos viewed online. YouTube accounted for the vast majority of videos viewed at the property. Hulu ranked second, Microsoft Sites ranked third followed by Vevo and Viacom Digital.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Is UltraViolet The Ultra Solution For Hollywood?
ReutersWhat is UltraViolet? It's now the intended brand name chosen by a consortium of 55 entertainment and technology titans planning to standardize digital formats for video playback, and prevent online piracy. The group -- known as The Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem, or DECE -- said Monday that it will begin beta testing in the fall, with the help of two new partners, LG Electronic and Marvell Technology Group. Mitch Singer, president of the DECE and chief technology officer for Sony Pictures, said they chose the brand name Ultraviolet in part because it is a natural extension of Hollywood's
Blu-ray high-definition format.
The group is betting on cloud-based technology to standardize and streamline the digital supply chain. "Driven largely by Hollywood seeking to offset a sharp decline in DVD sales, the DECE has recruited industry behemoths from technology firms Adobe Systems Inc and Cisco to cable giant Comcast, but Reuters says Disney and Apple aren't in yet. "Disney is developing a competing system called KeyChest, while Apple sells songs and videos in proprietary formats through its iTunes Store." Singer said the group is talking with more potential partners.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Mog Goes Mobile
TechCrunchStreaming music service MOG has launched its mobile applications for Android and iPhone. The app gives subscribers unlimited access to a library of 8 million songs, which can be either streamed or downloaded over 3G and WiFi. "If you listen to a lot of music, or just like being able to listen to music on-demand without having to sync to your PC, this is definitely worth checking out," writes TechCrunch
<http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/20/mog-iphone-android> .Access to the mobile service will set consumers back $9.99 a month, but MOG is offering free 3-day trials when they download the apps. Late last year, MOG debuted its All Access music service sans mobile. "These applications bring all of the functionality of the desktop service and they do it one better, by allowing you to store as many songs and albums as you'd like toyour phone's storage for offline access," adds TechCrunch. Since its launch in 2005, MOG has raised $25.9 million. Rivals include Rhapsody and - just as soon as they reach the U.S. market -- Rdio and Spotify.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Spotify Has 500,000 Subscribers
MediaPost/ReutersNetflix ended the second quarter of 2010 with approximately 15,001,000 total subscribers, representing 42% year-over-year growth from 10,599,000 total subscribers at the end of the second quarter of 2009 and 7% sequential growth from 13,967,000 subscribers at the end of the first quarter of 2010.
Read more about it by clicking here.
CROW NEWS:
Sheryl Crow's new studio album, "100 Miles From Memphis," features all-star collaborations and a cover of Michael Jackson's "I Want You Back." Justin Timberlake and Keith Richards make guest appearances on the album.
PERRY INJURED:
Aerosmith's Joe Perry was hospitalized after a minor motorcycle accident this week near his Duxbury, Massachusetts home. Perry was admitted to Morton Hospital and Medical Center for treatment, but was quickly discharged with only minor injuries.
LADY GAGA TITLE COMING NEW YEAR'S EVE:
Lady Gaga tells Rolling Stone her next album will be released at the top of 2011, and she plans to announce its title at midnight on New Year's.
BYE-BYE NEXUS SEZ GOOGLE:
As a follow-up to the Top-10 Smartphones that will gone by 2011 article I posted in the newsletter last week, news comes this week that Google will stop selling the Nexus One, its first and possibly only foray into the smartphone world. In a post on its official blog,
Google's Nexus One team said the next shipment of the phones will be the last.
BIG GUNS OUT ON THE ROAD IN 2011:
Journey, Kenny Chesney, Neil Diamond, Van Halen, Fleetwood Mac, Christina Aguilera, and more dates from the cast of 'Glee' were among the artists cited by Live Nation Executive Chairman Irving Azoff as plotting outings in 2011.
GOOGLE LOBBIES BIG TIME:
Internet giant Google spent $1.34 million on federal lobbying during the second quarter, up 41% from the same period a year ago, according to nonprofit consumer advocacy organization Consumer Watchdog. The question of course is: What are they lobbying for? Stay tuned.
BEACH BOYS REUNION:
They've been touring forever, but according to Al Jardine (who hasn't been playing with the band on the road for some time), the Beach Boys are going to reunite for at least one concert next year to celebrate the group's 50th anniversary. Jardine tells Rolling Stone the
lineup will include himself, Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston and possibly even early guitarist David Marks.
'PEARL' MOVIE COMING:
Amy Adams is set to play Janis Joplin in a forthcoming biopic titled "Janis Joplin: Get It While You Can."
PBS TO AIR MCCARTNEY WHITE HOUSE TRIBUTE:
On July 28th, PBS will premiere the White House's all-star tribute concert to Paul McCartney. Jack White, Stevie Wonder, the Jonas Brothers, Elvis Costello and Dave Grohl took part in the celebration by covering songs from both McCartney's solo and Beatles career.
SONY CLASSICAL AND ALL THAT JAZZ:
All Things D reports that Sony Music is planning to launch its own online download store for classical music and maybe jazz.
ANDROID UP TO A BILLION APPS, BUT iPHONE WAY AHEAD:
Google's Android Market has crossed the 1 billion download mark nearly two years after the application storefront was launched, according to analytics provider AndroLib.com. That total is still well behind the 5 billion app downloads that Apple boasts for the iPhone and iPod.
FACEBOOK NOW 500 MILLION STRONG:
Facebook signed up its 500 millionth member this week -- up from about 100 million just two years ago.
GETTING READY TO BOYLE AGAIN:
Susan Boyle will follow up her massive debut, "I Dreamed a Dream," with a Christmas album, due out in October.
ZAC SOON:
The Zac Brown Band, will release their second album "You Get What You Give" on September 21st.
PASSING:
Big Star bassist/songwriter Andy Hummel has passed away after a two-year battle with cancer at the age of 59. His passing comes just four months after the death of Big Star's Alex Chilton.
The Music Industry Past, Present & Future, And The Internet I answer questions on EconTalk
I did an interview about the industry and the Internet at EconTalk with host Russ Roberts. Russ is also a professor of economics at George Mason University, blogs at Cafe Hayek, and has written three novels that teach economics. He's also the co-creator of the Keynes-Hayek rap video. (And if your understanding of the economic meltdown that occurred needs to be enlightened, this video will do it)
In the interview we talk about the evolution of the music industry, the impact of the digital revolution, and I give my reasons for believing in the virtues and potential of the Internet in enhancing the music industry. I point out, as I have many times here in the newsletter, that the internet allows numerous artists to make money from their music and it can enhance revenues from live performances by expanding an artist's base. We also discuss the challenges facing record companies and I suggest that the full potential of the Internet as a distribution channel has yet to be fully exploited. There's a lot of ground covered, but based on the comments already posted of those who have tuned in, they've enjoyed it.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Quotes of the week
"If you can feed a big family a bucket of KFC for 10 bucks then you'll do that. Not everyone can afford the healthy, organic shit they say we're meant to eat."
-- Ozzy Osbourne to Closer magazine. And Ozzy should know since he can afford to eat "the healthy, organic shit""Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Sly Stone, all of us who were here remember the magic. Only love can conquer hate. This is Woodstock. This is the place where miracles can happen."
-- Carlos Santana, playing his first show in Bethel, NY (the site of Woodstock) since 1969"In today's world, artists have to tour to make money. They can't just sit at home and collect their royalties and expect to make their mortgage payments."
-- Pollstar editor Gary Bongiovanni in Forbes."Need rideshare to NY after Pitchfork. Can split gas, contribute MP3s."
-- A guy holding this sign, looking for a ride from the Pitchfork music festival while waiting for St.Vincent to start.
The B-Side - 'Blips'
THE ONION (www.theonion.com) STORY OF THE WEEK:
NBC Announces Fall Cancellation Lineup
NEW YORK-At a press conference Tuesday, the NBC television network unveiled its new fall lineup of programs that will be canceled almost immediately after airing.
Read the rest here and laugh: oOLINKOo.
THE RADIO INTERVIEW on 'THE AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE' - From newsblaze.com
"Steve Meyer is on the front line of global music sales and distribution which he expects will soar to pocket-bursting levels. What's more, he shares his insight and ingenuity with us. Steve gives us both historical perspective and futuristic vision as he chats with Judy about the love of his work, trends of the business and his personal points of view about success, happiness and blending life with the lust for life. Steve joins Judy and helps us discover the thrill of having it all with a sense of balance and purpose. "
You can listen to an interview I did with Judy Piazza of 'The American Perspective' by clicking here: (It runs about 15 minutes)
http://www.thesop.org/index.php?id=10306.
The Blogs
Check out Jerry Del Colliano's (the founder of INSIDE RADIO) daily blog, by clicking here: http://www.insidemusicmedia.blogspot.comWebsite
Check out attorney Ray Beckerman's website at: http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com where he prints news about the RIAA's ongoing activities
TinyURL
Check out www.tinyurl.com where you can make a smaller URL that will work for any webpage you wish to link to or reference. (As you can see, I'm using it in my news stories above!)
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