Music Sales • Hacker News Board

Re: Music Sales

#41

Post by pyre » Thu, Sep 17, 2009, 9:50 PM UTC

jrwoodruff wrote: post #33

pyre wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can't include 'illegal' downloads in there. Something that is free doesn't have the same market pressures as something that costs money. If I download music illegally, I can download GBs upon GBs of music which would cost me thousands of dollars were I to purchase it. What if I don't have those thousands of dollars? It's not like you can say that I would have bought all of those albums if it was impossible to pir…

No doubt. I don't disagree with that, as old as the argument is, but it would be interesting nonetheless to see how the rise of downloads dovetails with the decline of the CD format. If it's an even flow from CD to mp3, as it appeared to be with vinyl>cassette, then cassette>cd, or if it's disproportionate. It would actually go towards supporting or disproving your very argument. However, I don't think there will eve…

To continue that train of thought it would be interesting to see a similar data visualization of consumption of all entertainment mediums (dvd video,blu ray video,video rentals,video games,video game rentals,etc) including piracy of those mediums as well.

I have a feeling that (other than the 'legal' vs 'illegal arguments) it would be very telling of the way that media consumption habits have trended over the past decade or so.

Re: Music Sales

#42

Post by nuweborder » Fri, Sep 18, 2009, 2:14 AM UTC

Gibbon wrote: post #32

nuweborder wrote: post #12

Unfortunately, no doubt these numbers do not count non-label/unsigned record sales as "thedark" mentioned. This is due to the fact that according to major labels and the FCC, these numbers don't count, simply because they don't receive a cut of those sales. Once we develop a legitimate platform for unsigned musicians to use and compete with the major labels, their artists, and the money they make. Then we will begin…

There is no "dark" market worth mentioning in this context. There are simply no significant sales beyond the major labels and their subsidiaries. The four major labels account for more than 80% of ALL music sold in the USA and the 1600 members of the RIAA account for more than 90%. The topmost performers in the indie market may achieve some success on their own, as individuals, but in aggregate the total indie market…

"thedark", is the username of the previous poster. Not an actual reference to anything regarding this post itself. Looks like you got the wrong message.

The reason for low sales outside major labels, is the fact that there are no outlets for unsigned musicians that are worthwhile, and major labels regulate what you hear, and who is heavily promoted. And therefore, the competiton is not level. Unsigned musicians cannot afford expensive studio time to record, have little avenues to promote and sell, and therefore just cant compete. The indie market is a "disaster" as you put it, because major labels, the RIAA and FCC keep it that way on purpose. Who wants an area of business to succeed and compete, if they cannot get a piece of that revenue? No one.

Now how about Digg has done for news, and YouTube has done for music? Leveled the playing field, and taken some of the wind out of the sails of major media. And put more power in the hands of the consumer, and allow then to choose whats best in music. Not tell them what you want them to listen to.

Re: Music Sales

#43

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Sep 18, 2009, 12:45 PM UTC

jrwoodruff wrote: post #8

ilyak wrote: post #5

I never knew that singles sold so tiny. I don't understand why did anyone bother with them at all.

Singles were pressed for radio stations, back in the day. May as well sell 'em if you're already pressing them. Sidenote: this is where the term 'B-side' came from. The A-side of the single had the song the music label wanted to promote, the B-side had some other song that most stations didn't play.

[deleted]