Search

Focuses on the decision of the BBC, a public television and radio broadcaster in Great Britain to cancel its sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola. Reasons for the decision of BBC to remove all on-air credits of Coca-Cola; Criticisms received by the deal from politicians in Britain; Agreement of BBC with the Official U.K. Charts Co.

The article presents news briefs concerning issues in the music trade. The article reports that police in Great Britain have raided and shut down an online voucher system allegedly used by Russian web site siteallofmp3.com. FBT Productions and Em2M have filed a lawsuit against Interscope Records and other Universal labels over a share of royalties for recordings by rapper Eminem.

The article presents music news items reported on the magazine's web site in February 2007. Among the news stories covered a is the 2006 fourth quarter revenue decline for the Universal Music Group, a decrease attributed to unfavorable currency fluctuations. Also covered is the 2007 alliance between the U.K. branch Atlantic Records and the advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi.

The article offers news briefs on the music industry as of December 10, 2005. Jack Chadsey has resigned as CEO of Musicland Group. The European arm of RealNetworks has launched five online radio stations devoted to Nokia's live-music events in Great Britain in 2005. Universal Music Latino has signed a joint venture deal with Ladisco Music & Entertainment which include a label, video production, management and advertising components.

The article reports that the English alternative rock music trio Sweet Billy Pilgrim has achieved success through their album "Twice Born Men." It was included on the Barclaycard Mercury Prize shortlist. It debuted in Britain on March 16, 2009 and received a release in the U.S. on August 3, 2009 through a sales/distribution/promotion deal with label EMI.

The article reports on efforts to boost the international influence of the BRIT (British Phonographic Industry) popular music awards ceremony. The event has always helped boost music sales in Great Britain, but organizers of the 2009 awards, set for February 18, are pursuing television broadcast deals in international markets to try to extend that effect.

The article reports that Sky, the leading pay-television provider in Great Britain, plans to launch a music subscription service with Universal U.K. that will provide subscribers with unlimited music streams and a set number of download-to-own tracks from Universal's catalog. Sky's multichannel TV service has nearly nine million subscriptions.

The article reports that the British government has decided not to impose regulations on the resale of tickets. According to a Parliamentary report, the government is asking promoters, event organizers and ticket agents to voluntarily work together to insure that tickets are properly distributed. A voluntary agreement to identify selected sporting, entertainment and cultural events that will not be sold on the secondary market is suggested.

The article discusses how a number of record labels in Great Britain have lost their independent status through deals with or acquisitions by major record labels. The article cites Universal Music Group, which acquired Sanctuary and V2, Lionheart, X-Cell, Magic and ARS Entertainment. The article examines some of the efforts being made by the remaining independent record labels to prevent being taken over.

The article discusses a deal between the British organization PPL and its French counterpart ADAMI, which is to provide reciprocal music services for French and British performers, including backdated royalties. PPL head Fran Nevrkla is quoted discussing the significance of the deal for musicians and performers of both countries.

The article reports that Richard Ogden, former manager of musician Paul McCartney, is relocating to Sao Paulo, Brazil from London, England. His company, Richard Ogden Management (ROM) is to continue its consulting business with clients in Europe. ROM began operations in 2000 and has been involved in promoting shows by musicians such as David Gilmour and Ivete Sangalo.

The article focuses on the issue of covermounting compact discs (CDs). Covermounting refers to attaching free CDs to magazine cover, a practice which is a feature of the music press in Great Britain. The article discusses the covermounting of Mike Oldfield's album "Tubular Bells" and record label EMI's reaction, and also discusses the debate over covermounting between music label and retailers.

The article reports that U.K. collecting society Phonographic Performance Ltd. has published its highest-ever financial results. According to the article the society, which licenses performance rights on sound recordings on behalf of record labels and performers, reported license fee income of £97.9 million ($193 million) in 2006, up 13% from 2005.

The article presents global news briefs on the music industry. Musicians Elton John and Madonna have works nominated for multiple Ivor Novello Awards. Music publisher Strictly Confidential Music Publishing is expanding into Great Britain. EMI Music Italy has reorganized its management structure, joining the Virgin and Capitol labels into the Capitol Music Group under Marco Alboni.

The article features British rock band Arctic Monkeys whose January 23, 2006 debut music release "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not," is generating sales. Domino Records founder Laurence Bell has confirmed that pre-release shipments of the music release topped 350,000 units which means that they will earn the band platinum certification.

This article focuses on British rock band the Darkness and their new music release "Permission to Land." The Darkness is strongly influenced by Queen. The band is one of the few British bands in recent years to makes waves on the U.S. side of the pond. Industry observers believe that is largely because the music is about having a good time. The single "One Way Ticket" has attracted A-list rotation on BBC Radio 1 and alternative Xfm, and is in rotation at Virgin, among others in Great Britain.

Reports on the plan of British music performer Bloc Party to target the U.S. market with their debut album "Silent Arm." Performers influencing the music of Bloc Party; Information on licensing deal with Richard Branson's V2; Tours and album shipments in the U.S.

Reports on a delay in the incorporation of download sales in the weekly music release charts in Great Britain along with the physical format as of March 2005. Concerns over the lack of independent-label content offered by legitimate download services; Comparison of the weekly sales performance of legal downloads and physical singles in the country; Background on other countries that incorporate the same music chart format.

Reports on the growth in the revenue of independent British music company Sanctuary Group for the year ended September 30, 2004. Factors that contributed to the revenue growth; Performance of the company's stock on January 25, 2005; Increase in the earnings of Sanctuary's recorded music division.

Presents information on a research by the British Phonographic Industry, a music trade body, on the status of the music download market in the country for the third quarter of 2004. Number of music downloads purchased by consumers during the quarter; Growth in album shipments; Forecast on the increase in revenue in the British digital music market from 2004 to 2005; Expectations on the performance of the market in the fourth quarter of 2004.

Provides information on the re-recording of the 1984 music release "Do They Know It's Christmas?" as part of the Band Aid 20 charity in Great Britain. Background on several singers that contributed to the project, including Robbie Williams; Factors that contributed to the success of the promotion of the single; Significance of the collaboration among television networks in airing the video for the single simultaneously.

Deals with the launch of the first official music download chart in Great Britain produced by the Official Charts Co. Impact on the legal downloading market; Sources of download information for the charts; Rules in compiling the songs for the chart.

Highlights the 2003 Glastonbury music festival in Great Britain. Plan to introduce priority ticket system in 2004; Musicians to be featured in the 2003 festival; Obstacle to the 2003 event.

Focuses on issues discussed at the September 2000 annual general meeting of Great Britain's Performing Right Society (PRS). Highlights of the keynote speech by Department for Culture, Media, and Sport Janet Anderson; Emphasis on the impact of the Internet and digital technology on the British music industry; Other formal business conducted at the meeting.

The article presents a selection of news stories related to the international music industry for the week of July 10, 2010. The trade association Fitness Australia appealed a rate increase on music in fitness classes. 2.8 million albums by the singer Michael Jackson were sold in Great Britain in the year after he died. The Music Producers' Guild, a British trade group, launched a campaign to establish a unified database for sound recordings.

The article discusses the release of the music album "Radio Wars," by the alternative rock band Howling Bells. The popularity of the album in Great Britain is explored and the album's U.S. release date is announced. Comments from band manager James Sandom regarding the success of the band are also included.

The article discusses the launch of digital music radio in Australia by Australian music company Commercial Radio Australia. Comments from Commercial Radio Australia chief executive officer (CEO) Joan Warner regarding the launch of the digital radio system are included. The similarities and differences between the Australian digital radio industry and the British Digital Audio Broadcasting service are also explored.

The article presents information on British efforts to reduce illegal filesharing of music, focusing on a memorandum of understanding signed by six leading internet service providers (ISPs). The plan is for music copyright holders to identify up to one thousand internet accounts per week which are involved in music piracy. The ISPs are to contact those users, to inform them of legal alternatives.

The article reports that MTV U.K. has launched a weekly singles and album chart countdown show that airs on the British version of VH1. The "Official U.K. Top 40" is the first chart countdown program on British television since the BBC cancelled its venerable "Top of the Pops" program in the summer of 2006.

The article reports on the poor attendance at many of the smaller music festivals in Great Britain. Festival promoters are cited in the article as attributing the low turnouts to rising fuel prices, increased competition, and a weak economy. Also provided in the article are those festivals which canceled their events for 2008.

This article announces a dance music tour to be held in Great Britain in late 2008, entitled "Clubland" and hosted by the All Around the World (AATW) record label. The first "Clubland" tour, in March 2008, featured performers such as Scooter, Cascada, and Ultrabeat. Comments are included from Matt Cadman, cofounder of AATW.

The article discusses the first Independents Day marketing campaign, which will be held on July 4, 2008 to promote independent musicians. The event has been organized by the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) and will appear in several countries worldwide, including the United States, Great Britain, and Japan. Retailers eMusic, Amazon, and Play, as well as broadcasters MTV, Xfm, and Great Britain television network Channel 4 are promoting the event.

The article discusses a controversy over the voting system used during the annual Eurovision Song Contest. Complaints against block voting by Eastern European countries have appeared in several British newspapers. Figures show a large portion of telephone voting came from Eastern European nations. The decline in television ratings in Western nations such as Germany and Great Britain are discussed.

The article discusses the success of several Australian music artists in Great Britain. Among the many Australians on the music charts are the drum 'n' bass act Pendulum, soul singer Sam Sparro, and musician Gabriella Cilmi. Andy Kelly, director of the management firm Winterman & Goldstein, says talent agents regularly recommend artists weigh the benefits of relocating to Great Britain.

The article reports on the decision made by the retailer Woolworths to discontinue selling physical music singles in the company's 820 stores in Great Britain. The company has also announced the launch of a digital download entertainment service. The impact the move will have on the sale of compact disc singles throughout the music trade in Great Britain is analyzed.

The article reports that the HMV Group announced double-digit sales growth in the 16 weeks leading up to the end of its financial year on April 26, 2008. The merchant's British and Irish divisions drove the performance, while its scaled-down international operations generated moderate growth. HMV had been conducting a company-wide business review since March 2007.

The article reports that the British rights collecting society Phonographic Performance Ltd. (PPL) saw its license fee income in 2007 exceed the £100 million mark for the first time, including £9.1 million from international sources, up 52% from the previous year. PPL chairman and chief executive officer Fran Nevrkla is quoted discussing the society's success.

The article reports on the plans of music retailer HMV to launch an MP3 digital download store in Great Britain in 2008. Product director Gary Warren is quoted discussing HMV's intention to enable physical and digital purchases of music through a single web site, which will also be linked to the company's social network.

This article reports that counterfeiter Farhat Nissa received a four-and-a-half-year jail sentence for importing compact discs from the Czech Republic and selling them in Great Britain. Nissa's accomplices Wasim Mir and Naveed Shaikh were also given prison sentences for piracy and copyright theft. The fake-CD counterfeiting ring was estimated to be worth $9.5 million.

The article reports on the government policy in Great Britain on Internet service providers of music. The policy instituted a deadline of 2009 for the British music industry and Internet service providers to decide on a solution that will lower illegal distribution of digital music files. The governments of France and Australia have begun planning similar legislation.

The article presents information on the 2008 BRIT Awards, the main awards show for the British record industry. Featuring awards for pop bands such as Take That, as well as alternative rockers Arctic Monkeys and a closing set by classic rock legend Paul McCartney, the show proved to be popular as a live broadcast. The question of whether it would dramatically increase sales for featured acts is addressed.

The article focuses on copyright law in Great Britain. The author reports that on February 14, 2008, European Union internal market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy gave his backing to industry demands for an extension on the term of copyright on sound recordings, a significant issue since a European Commission review was launched in 2004. McCreevy proposed an extension of the 50-year term of protection to 95 years. Article topics include the reaction of music insiders on the ruling.

The article presents an interview with Greg Doherty, chairman of Sony BMG U.K. and Ireland, as well as chairman of the 2008 BRIT Awards. Particular attention is given to the career of Doherty and professional achievements. Interview topics include how he prepared for the BRIT Awards, his role as committee chairman, the success of British acts in pop music in 2007, and his thoughts on Guy Hands' plans for record label EMI.

The article discusses how artists managers' attempting to gain profits on the United Kingdom's troubled secondary ticket market have been strongly criticized by some of the sector's key players. It is reported that the United Kingdom government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport issued a report on "ticket touting," which calls on secondary-ticket vendors to stop their corrupt practices and join with event organizers and become self-regulated.

The article reports the United Kingdom collecting society Phonographic Performance Ltd. (PPL) has finalized reciprocal agreements with its counterparts in Russia (RPA), Italy (IMAIE) and Switzerland (Swissperformer). The deal results in PPL having 38 such international pacts in place, including those struck in the early portion of 2007.

The article reports that Great Britain's Office of Fair Trading (OFT) confirmed that it would not be referring Universal Music Group's (UMG) acquisition of V2 Music Group to the European Union's Competition Commission. The OFT confirmed the move in a statement issued on its web site on November 5, 2007. UMG, through its Centenary Music Holdings division, bought V2 from bankers Morgan Stanley.

A news brief is presented about a new British black popular music chart launched by the Official U.K. Charts Co. (OCC), on which the Mark Ronson single "Valerie," with Amy Winehouse, was the first number-one hit. The top-40 chart was set up for BBC1Xtra, a black music digital network launched by the BBC.

A music industry news brief is presented on the start of the integration of V2 Music Group into its major-label acquirer, Universal Music Group (UMG). V2 is being aligned with Mercury Records in Great Britain under Mercury U.K. president Jason Iley. UMG did not guarantee all of V2's 50-member staff would keep their jobs.

The article reports that British modern rock radio network Xfm is establishing a music awards ceremony. The inaugural Xfm gala is to be held January 16, 2008, and will be built around one major prize, the Xfm U.K. debut album of the year, to be voted on by the station's listeners. Shortlisted acts are expected to perform at the gala, Xfm says, before a music industry panel decides the ultimate winner.

The article discusses the decision of the Virgin Group to sell its Virgin Megastores in Great Britain and Ireland. Virgin chief executive officer Richard Branson is quoted discussing the deal. Megastore managing director Simon Douglas and finance director Steve Peckham led a management buyout and will be rebranding the business by 2008.