The music industry is in a bit of a slump, it would seem. But where does that leave you?
All industries, right across the board, are suffering, so singling out music may not be altogether fair. Everyone’s in a rut. But music and radio face a particularly interesting set of circumstances which is seen as adverse by most business minds, but also as generally positive by the public: the internet.
Who’s right and who’s wrong? Even though it is undeniable that widely available, free access to music has knocked out the old business model, it should be equally obvious that new ways of making money exist and can, given enough time, not only compensate for the traditional losses, but also outstrip past performance. Non-music, non-traditional company are making it work, so why can’t the established players?
The answer is, they can, but they have to learn a few new tricks first. And you know what they say about old dogs. Truth is, if they’re not fast on their feet, they’ll lose their position of dominance before they can say “bean counter.”
Next month, an in-depth look at the challenges of the music and radio businesses, but in this issue, here are a few very interesting articles spanning the width of the whole spectrum:
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An Uncomfortable Question Resurfaces: Does the Music Stink (source: Digital Music News)
Are indies deluding themselves about being “good enough”? One of the most frequent prejudices we encounter when speaking to radio PD’s is that “indie music sucks”. We couldn’t disagree more. But check this article out. -
ASCAP’s Image Problem (source: Digital Music News)
Protecting copyrights is getting trickier by the day, but where is the border between reasonable and unreasonable? -
Music Downloads Have Stalled, Reports Nielsen (Source: AllAccess.com)
Keeping your hand on the pulse is always a good idea, but are they over-reacting to every little fluctuation? Or is there cause for concern? -
Campus Downloading Rules Take Effect (Source: RIAA)
Is this an example of healthy regulation which will save the music business, or is it an example of Big Brother getting out of control? -
Colleges Become Reluctant Allies in Fighting Piracy (Source: Billboard)
This is a commentary on the article above. Is it just me or does your blood boil too…?
Got an opinion of any of the above? Comment below. Meanwhile, stay tuned for the next instalment of the Special Report.