Big Record Label 'Innovation': Actually Release Songs For Sale The Same Time They Hit The Radio

from the this-counts-as-a-step-forward? dept

Mon, Jan 17th 2011 12:47pm — Mike Masnick

I can't quite figure out which is more amusing: the fact that record labels are just now thinking that maybe it makes sense to release songs for sale the same time they're sent to radio stations, or that it's seen as newsworthy as a strategy to "beat piracy." I mean, it's a good sign that the labels are finally realizing that a lack of availability is often a driver for unauthorized copies making the rounds, but the fact that they're only coming to this conclusion in 2011 suggests just how out of touch these labels are with the world. People were making this point over a decade ago.

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Filed Under: releases, songs

54 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:01pm

Sure its easy enough for us young guys outside of the warped unreality of big business to understand. Try explaining it to grandpa and his flunkies wrapped in their cocoon of corporate ritual.
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Christopher Gizzi, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:07pm

Release Windows
Because delaying the release by 28 days or using other windows is a sure fire way to add value and increase sales.
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iamtheky (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:07pm

"the record companies believe the move will show ministers that they are playing their part in fighting copyright theft."

at least they are still doing it for the wrong reasons.
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The Mighty Buzzard (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:10pm

Holy crap, now that is newsworthy. Now, do I assume this means media execs are starting to get a clue or do I go with the million monkeys theory?
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:10pm

Anyone remember 45 RPM singles? Weren't they released at the same time the songs hit the radio long ago?

Maybe, just maybe, the idea of buying singles isn't such a new idea after all ...
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weneedhelp (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:10pm

Silly execs
Worst part is you know some blow hard is walking around with his chest puffed out thinking he is being innovative.

People were making this point over a decade ago:
http://blog.cleanenergy.org/files/2009/04/head-in-sand.jpg
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Hephaestus (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:13pm

Re:
"at least they are still doing it for the wrong reasons."

You noticed that also.
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Justin Olbrantz (Quantam) (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:18pm

Epiphany or Token Gesture?
So the big question is whether this is because the record labels have finally realized that the internet has made it impossible to absolutely control the supply lines as they could in the past, or whether as was pointed out this is nothing more than a token gesture that they're trying to give fans what they want to satisfy lawmakers. If it's the former, this is a HUGE change (and progress) in corporate paradigm.

I'm counting the minutes till somebody comments that this is "surrendering to piracy" and shameful.
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Gabriel Tane (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:19pm

But But But....
PIRACY!!! Sorry... had to...

Does this mean I can stop taping the radio when I'm listening to it? I can finally throw out all my blank cassette tapes?
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The Mighty Buzzard (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:19pm

Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?
This is surrendering to piracy and shameful.
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:22pm

Re: Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?
THEM STEALERS ARE DESTROYING OUR PIRACY-SURRENDERING BUSINESS!!!
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Dark Helmet (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:25pm

Re: Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?
This is pirating shamefulness and surrendering....
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:28pm

I think The Mighty Buzzard might have something with the million monkeys theory.

Some of the biggest problems with entertain industries today is that the lawyer and the accountant seem to be running the show. Their only solutions are moves that either legate a solution or cut something off to save money. Over time you get what you have now as the face that the public sees. It's not an attractive one either.

Before all this came to be, you had actual musicians running the music labels and they understood that culture was an integral part of music.

Today's group management doesn't have a clue, only a series of bitches. (wonders whom will get the double meaning of that one)
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:33pm

Re:
The media execs are still years behind...it's amazing they're still as powerful as they are. There are companies that are way ahead of the curve.....take http://www.disrupt.fm for example
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The Mighty Buzzard (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:34pm

Re: Re: Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?
I think those are both public domain. Or at least CC licensed.
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Jake Harrington, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:34pm

Re:
The media execs are still years behind...it's amazing they're still as powerful as they are. There are companies that are way ahead of the curve.....take http://www.disrupt.fm for example
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Justin Olbrantz (Quantam) (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:35pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?
They were in the public domain, but Congress put them back under copyright.
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The Mighty Buzzard (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:36pm

Re:
See? Given a long enough span, even I produce something worthwhile now and then.
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Dark Helmet (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:38pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?
"They were in the public domain, but Congress put them back under copyright."

Congress: Exerting its monopoly on shamefulness and surrendering since 1776....
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:43pm

So wait. The record labels do as you have suggested, and now they are idiots and two faced liars for doing it?

Wow, another amazing day in TD-land.
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The Mighty Buzzard (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:43pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?
I think they only hold the monopoly on surrendering as far as it's applied to 'to greed and/or corruption'. Otherwise the French would sue.
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The Mighty Buzzard (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:44pm

Re:
You and reading comprehension, you're not very good friends, are you?
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Marcus Carab (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:48pm

Re: Re:
No need to spam us with identical messages but that service looks very cool. Is it yours?
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Marcus Carab (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:51pm

Re:
I don't see anything calling them idiots or liars. Just behind-the-curve and wrongly-motivated. There's a difference.
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AR (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:53pm

Re: Silly execs
I bet ha got a big bonus for "his" idea too.
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Dark Helmet (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:55pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?
"I think they only hold the monopoly on surrendering as far as it's applied to 'to greed and/or corruption'. Otherwise the French would sue."

It was part of a licensing deal when they gave us the Statue of Liberty....
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herbert, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:55pm

this has always been about the 'industries' being in control. file sharing meant they lost control, despite being warned that it would happen if they continued to go down the road they were. bringing back this sensible practice, one that was practically begged for years ago, is their attempt to regain that lost control. may work now, may not. they have lost the respect of the public through their total ignoring of what was asked for and the treatment customers received. file sharing gave (and still gives) control to the customers at the industries expense and not just financial, either. they have a lot to do to win back respect. i hope this is the start of that happening, but i think they will continue to be despised for a long time to come because of their attitude, the backward thinking as far as failing to adapt to the digital world, charging way too much for media (keeping too much for themselves) and keeping old fu**ers in charge!
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Jason, 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:56pm

Really?
People still listen to the radio?
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Chris Rhodes (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:56pm

Re:
The record labels do as you have suggested, and now they are idiots and two faced liars for doing it?

[Citation Needed]. Mike never said either one of those. I'll say it though: Those guys are complete idiots.

Wow, another amazing day in TD-land.

"They see me trollin', they hatin'."
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AR (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 1:56pm

Re: Re: Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?
Thats STEELERS.... oops, sorry wrong forum :)
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Chris Rhodes (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 2:01pm

Reminds Me Of . . .
Reminds me of all the billboards I've seen around loudly proclaiming that the Beatles are now in iTunes.

It's cute how proud they are of themselves.

Congratulations on moving into 10 years ago guys!
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Jay (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 2:02pm

Re: Re:
They haven't sued them for $15 million yet?
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 2:13pm

I know of a record label that beat pirates to the punch.

Jamendo just kick their a. every time.

What I get:

- Free music to listen to, not to use it though..
- Low prices.
- Lyrics.
- Art, fan art
- My RIGHT(that is right) back to show the music I like to others. That is right I can put that on a filesharing website for others to listen to, no music police knocking on the door.
- The pleasure to say to copytards "I don't need you baby, go beg elsewhere"
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AR (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 2:17pm

Oh great hows BitTorrent going to compete now?

Oh wait...nevermind.
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AR (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 2:27pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?
Is that like the Egyptian monolith is Central Park?
We keep getting screwed on these licensing deals.
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harbingerofdoom (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 2:31pm

Re:
im sticking with the million monkey idea until there is proof otherwise
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fogbugzd (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 2:38pm

Reason
There actually was a reason for the old policy. The labels would release to radio first so that demand would build up and and when the song was released it would jump to a high position on the sales charts.

Position on the sales charts isn't as important as it used to be, so it makes a lot of sense to drop the policy. Of course it would have made sense to do this a long time ago. In a free market this kind of delay would have been punished, but when you are running a government-protected business little things like rationality and market demand don't matter very much.
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KeillRandor (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 2:42pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?
"Congress: Exerting its monopoly on shamefulness and surrendering since 1776...."

I guess the French won after-all then? ;)
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Bas Grasmayer (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 3:01pm

Genius! These guys should run our public transport services!
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StrongStyle81, 17 Jan 2011 @ 3:09pm

time machine
Now that they're back in 1999 do you think the record companies will let me borrow their time machine after they're finished?
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 4:01pm

Re:
You rented Cocoons recently didn't you?
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 4:08pm

Re: Release Windows
Depends to whom you are selling.

Sales to the public this is laughable but to make the illusion of value for other companies this worked well for many years.

Those windows are not for the public they are for other companies, other third parties that they want to extract money from, they don't think of the public as their biggest consumers, they think of retailers as their consumers they don't want to deal with the public because it is messy and unpleasant.

This is what file-sharing vanquished. Those 3rd parties are now history or at least this is what they think, the problem is there is still 3rd parties out there but they don't want to deal with them because they are smarter than they are and will rip all of the benefits(i.e. Apple, Google, Intel, Nokia and so on).

Convergence is the game.
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AR (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 4:33pm

Re:
What a scary thought If that were the case. While we are zipping around in fancy cars, our bus system would still be horse drawn trolleys, the TSA would be suing anyone going faster than the trolleys, and they would be groping the horses. Instead of this announcement, one would be made that they were going to privatize the manufacture of buggy whips to allow all to purchase "at a good price".
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Jan 2011 @ 4:37pm

The only innovation I see the record industry doing is the innovation of corporate death.

They managed to annoy and anger a large portion of society.

People want give money to entities like that, who are they kidding?
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Marcus Carab (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 5:39pm

Re: Reminds Me Of . . .
Hehe yeah I have always felt the same way.

"The most popular band in history is now available on the most popular music distribution channel in the world. And it only took us seven years!"
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mrtraver (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 6:09pm

Back before the big labels killed my love of buying shiny plastic discs, this used to drive me crazy. If it was something I liked but was't very popular and wasn't being played any more by the time the CD was released, chances were that I would forget about it and never buy it. If it was by an artist in whom I already had an interest, I was going to buy the disc when it came out regardless of when (or whether) it was played on the radio, so it did not build any additional anticipation for me - just frustration that I could not listen to a finished product because of the whim of some label fatcat. I always felt like it was just them showing me that they, not I, had the power. Well, I showed them, didn't I! I used to buy an average of one or two CDs a month, but as my frustration with the business process grew and my awareness of other sources of music grew, my purchases tapered off. Since 2005 I think I have bought four CDs in total; two by the same artist.
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techflaws.org (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 10:10pm

Re:
Wow, another amazing day in TD-land.

Exactly. Another troll pulling a statement out of his a$$ that noone made.
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techflaws.org (profile), 17 Jan 2011 @ 10:15pm

Reminds me of a DJ friend of mine who was trying to buy Adele's "Rolling In The Deep". He said the drone at the retailers was already sick of people lining up asking for that song all week cause he had to tell them they'd have to wait a month or so till the CD was released.

Of course not only was it on the radio but also on the net so there's that.
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Anonymous, 18 Jan 2011 @ 3:24am

Re: Release Windows
Go ask Redbox how much immediate release doesn't matter...
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Anonymous, 18 Jan 2011 @ 3:41am

Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?
How many times does it have to be repeated?

Nobody cares if geeks, nerds and dorks steal content.

Wouldn't want to stop how all of you gain inner fulfillment in your empty, worthless lives, now would we? That'd just be mean.

The idea is to stop it from being so easy for normal people to do so.
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AJ, 18 Jan 2011 @ 3:54am

Re: Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?
"The idea is to stop it from being so easy for normal people to do so."

To late, by about 10 years or so.....
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Gabriel Tane (profile), 18 Jan 2011 @ 5:34am

Re: Re: Epiphany or Token Gesture?
Interesting... 'repeated'... hmm, that's the first time I've heard anyone say that.

Now, if you're done making childish attacks at other people, the adults would like to get back to talking. Run along now... I think I saw a Pok�mon go that away... if you hurry you can catch it!!!

Cute lil whippersnappers.
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2011 @ 6:14am

That's not a new idea. Ozzie Nelson was called a genius because he made sure every record store had Ricky's new single available the day after he performed it on the Ozzie and Harriet show. As a result they were always sold out. The first music videos.
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Jan 2011 @ 11:28am

Re: Re: Release Windows
Except that movie sales didn't increase ...

Delaying the release may hurt a 3rd party (Redbox) but if it doesn't help the primary manufacturer (movie studios) then what is the point? Basically it has driven more people to Netflix (for older streaming flix) and torrents (for new releases).
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