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How Susan Boyle's YouTube Star Turn Is Helping Revive Interest In Les Mis

from the well-check-that-out dept

Tue, Apr 21st 2009 9:17am — Mike Masnick

As the recording industry continues to freak out about videos on YouTube without compensation, the whole media sensation Susan Boyle phenomenon is showing how such videos on YouTube clearly act as promotion for the music. Paul Kedrosky notes that Boyle's now famous rendition of a song from Les Miserables has shot the Les Mis CD up from a rank of 1,000 to 32 on Amazon's sales charts, while Mathew Ingram notes that tickets for the live performance of Les Mis have also skyrocketed. And the recording industry still claims that Google is somehow "exploiting" music while giving it all this promotion? Rob Hyndman chimes in, wondering just how many DMCA notices prevented similar results elsewhere. Indeed.

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Filed Under: interest, les mis, susan boyle, videos
Companies: google, youtube

20 Comments

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Ima Fish, 21 Apr 2009 @ 9:19am

"Google is somehow "exploiting" music while giving it all this promotion?"

Google "exploits" music in the same way radio does and MTV did. By that I mean it doesn't.
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- Anonymous Coward, 21 Apr 2009 @ 9:39am
  
  Re:
  That's a dangerous comparisson to make these days, since the RIAA is trying to kill radio by heaping on new fees. It's "only fair," since no one would listen to radio without the music.
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  - Brian O, 21 Apr 2009 @ 10:33am
    
    Re: Re:
    "That's a dangerous comparisson to make these days, since the RIAA is trying to kill radio by heaping on new fees. It's "only fair," since no one would listen to radio without the music."
    
    This is a lie. The fact is that the radio/RIAA relationship is WIN WIN. Without radio, people wouldn't know about the music (it serves as a promotional tool). Without the artists, music radio would have no content.
    
    The radio station can make money from advertisers, RIAA makes money from the increased sales. In fact, I believe RIAA and others used to or still do PAY radio stations to play their music.
    
    Is there some balance between paying the radio stations or having the radio stations pay to play the music? I don't know! (and I don't care). Leave that to them but OBVIOUSLY if RIAA charges radio too much for their music, the radio stations will be hurt and in the end it will also hurt RIAA.
    
    But, isn't that what RIAA is trying to do? (suicide)
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    - Weird Harold's former #5 fan, 21 Apr 2009 @ 10:55am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      The fact is that the radio/RIAA relationship is WIN WIN
      
      Therein lies the problem - the RIAA doesn't believe that it can win unless someone else is losing.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 21 Apr 2009 @ 11:35am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      the radio stations will be hurt and in the end it will also hurt RIAA.
      
      Exactly my point, but that doesn't change the fact that the RIAA is trying to do it. Somehow, if they don't see direct revenu, they figure they're being cheated.
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    - BTR1701, 22 Apr 2009 @ 8:38am
      
      Re: Re: Re: Payola
      > In fact, I believe RIAA and others used to
      > or still do PAY radio stations to play
      > their music.
      
      Nope. That would be illegal. It's called payola and it was quite the scandal when it first happened.
      
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Payola
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  - Anonymous Coward, 9 May 2009 @ 4:42am
    
    Re: Re:
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TheStuipdOne, 21 Apr 2009 @ 9:40am

I finally watched the video
damn!

she's the exact oposite of an american pop singer which means she's ugly and can really sing.
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- Anonymous Coward, 21 Apr 2009 @ 10:05am
  
  Re: I finally watched the video
  I'll take pretty over talented but then I'm shallow.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 21 Apr 2009 @ 11:36am
    
    Re: Re: I finally watched the video
    We get the celebrities we deserve.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 24 Apr 2009 @ 10:01am
    
    Re: Re: I finally watched the video
    YES - you are pretty shallow if you can not appreciate the sadness of this voice having NOT been heard all these years. Shame on you.
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- LovesJeanValjean, 21 Apr 2009 @ 8:39pm
  
  Re: I finally watched the video
  Hilarious
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- dee dee vaccaro, 2 May 2009 @ 12:51pm
  
  Re: I finally watched the video
  You are a real idiot, can you not look past her appearance? I wonder what the hell you look like?
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RAYMOND LACHANCE, II, 21 Apr 2009 @ 10:08am

susan is indeed 'a breath of fresh air !!!
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- Anonymous Coward, 21 Apr 2009 @ 10:44am
  
  Re: susan is indeed 'a breath of fresh air !!!
  Who came up with this stupid metaphor "breath of fresh air"!
  
  Earlier it was Sarah Palin, and now...
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Apr 2009 @ 10:22am

It would be interesting to see Google charge the copyright holders for the free advertising since they 'stole' Google's YouTube platform.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Apr 2009 @ 11:07am

Ew
Good god, it's Benny Hill. In drag. Again.
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Lee, 22 Apr 2009 @ 2:50am

Susan Boyle Quiz Challenge
I've wasted a whole day making the fun Susan Boyle Quiz Challenge!!! :)

http://www.jiba-jaba.com/SusanBoyleQuiz.aspx

I quite like it though....so time well spent.

Susan to Win!
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Dee Dee Vaccaro, 2 May 2009 @ 12:49pm

Susan Boyle
Susan has the most angelic voice I have ever heard. I am so glad that the whole world has heard an ordinary person and the talent that they have with no training, no funds to futher their talent. She is extraordinary and she brings tears to my eyes everytime I watch the video. We are so hasty to make decisions about people according to their looks, style, and what they can afford. I am so glad that the world has heard her, and If I ever met her It would be an honor.
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tenley, 24 May 2009 @ 7:27pm

'kay, Mike Masnick, you give away all your writing for free?
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