This Week In News: Friday, September 7, 2007

Music Industry

The Music Man
An interview with Rick Rubin, co-head of Columbia Records, sheds light on the music industry and how it can be saved amidst the impacts of file-sharing.
by Lynn Hirschberg, The New York Times, September 2, 2007

Apple Supersizes iPod Capacities, Labels Unenthusiastic
Apple now offers its popular iPod with 80GB and 160GB capacities. However, labels worry that those who do fill their 160GB devices to capacity will be filling it with pirated video and audio rather than purchased content.
by Paul Reskinoff, DigitalMusicNews, September 5, 2007

An Update On EMI's Digital Album Share
EMI's increased digital album market sales are believed to credited to their movement away from DRM-protected tracks.
Coolfer, September 5, 2007

BMI Posts Record Revenue Totals, Artist Payouts
Although the CD sales are slumping, BMI recorded an 8% increase in revenue totals from last year. The increase is credited to revenue from cable and satellite radio, as well as other new media outlets.
by Paul Reskinoff, DigitalMusicNews, September 4, 2007

RIP for the CD?
Fong offers another interesting look at the demise of the CD while examining areas where it still succeeds.
by Jennifer Fong, The Edmonton Journal, September 3, 2007

Indie Labels Venture Into Venue Business
In an effort to expand business, indie labels such as Omaha's famous Saddle Creek have begun to open venues. Their access to artists and their opinions has so far lent to the venue's success.
by Mitchell Peters, Billboard.biz, September 4, 2007

Radio

Thousands Support Local Radio
Over 10,000 responded in favor of the FCC's proposal to limit the amount of licenses one group can obtain in the upcoming FCC opportunity for non-profits to build full-power FM radio stations.
Prometheus Radio Project, September 5, 2007

Airing Their Differences About Pay for Play
With Internet and satellite radio stations paying artist royalties, musicians are starting to wonder why terrestrial radio stations aren't asked to the same. Broadcasters argue that artists benefit from the publicity of terrestrial radio but in the face of lagging CD sales, the music industry is pushing for royalties.
by Marc Fisher, Washington Post, September 2, 2007

Momentum Builds for Low Power FM Radio
Support is growing for the bipartisan Local Community Radio Act, which would create thousands more LPFM stations to offer local news and programming.
Free Press, August 24, 2007

New Devices Bring HD Radio to Itunes
Two new devices which combine HD radio and Itunes "tagging" are helping to promote HD radio as a whole. "Tagging" allows HD radio listeners to tag songs they like and then purchase them later from the Itunes store.
by Susan Visakowitz, Billboard.biz, September 6, 2007