Zune is getting a boost of sorts from its union with FM radio stations. New features on the latest Zune update allow users to flag songs heard on their local radio station and later purchase them from the Zune Marketplace using technology Microsoft developed in partnership with radio stations nationwide.
It’s probably not going to be their most popular feature but with positive growth in the radio market it is a way to gain more music sales and if people want to pay for songs they should have the ability to do so with ease.
The 14-24 demo is increasing its time spent listening to radio and decreasing time spent listening to iPods, according to a new study from Paragon Research.
Time spent listening to radio among 14- to 24-year-olds has increased by 11% this year, while time spent listening to iPods has slipped by 13%, per the study (via AdAge). The article points out that the study corresponds with the RAB’s annual RADAR report, which shows that AM/FM listeners increased by 3 million, to a total of 235 million weekly listeners, in 2008.
Radio’s continued growth can be attributed, in part, to the fact that it is more difficult in the MP3 space to come across new music. “As a result, that isolated programming effect does not allow you the serendipitous experience the way radio does,” says Jeff Haley, pres-CEO of the RAB, speaking about the Paragon study.
Ninjaman is a notorious hardcore Jamaican musician with roots in Dancehall but from the harder side of the dance floor. Ninjaman is well known for his gun loving lyrics and nasty on stage performances. Reggae Sumfest 2008 was no different. The Ninja was not so silent and neither were his fans as he dazzled the crowd with his act performance.
Ninjaman is a local favorite and his show was high energy and powerful. It’s always nice when the crowd knows an artists music and that was certainly the case on Thursday night at SumFest. The crowd seemed to know every word to every song as he belted out some fan favorites.
If you ever get thew chance to see ninjaman in concert then I suggest you do so. If not then download some Ninjaman mp3 files from Amazon and play Ninjaman on your Zune
Real Networks and MTV have partnered up to release a new mp3 store under the Rhapsody label. The online music store will feature the latest music releases from the 4 major labels in DRM free format available for download at 99 cents for a single song and $9.99 for an entire album.
I think another DRM free music store will be good for the industry. It will force iTunes and Zune to push more DRM free content in their own stores if this new store takes off. You have to wonder how well another mp3 store will do and what they might offer different from others
Rhapsody America, the Web’s top subscription-based music service, opened a digital download store today, becoming the latest company to challenge the dominance of Apple’s iTunes.
Like other recent challengers — and unlike iTunes — the Rhapsody MP3 store will feature songs that aren’t constrained by anti-copying measures. The four major record labels will provide Rhapsody such songs, which work on any digital music player and can be copied an unlimited number of times. Apple has such music from only one major label.
The store from Rhapsody America, a joint venture of RealNetworks and Viacom’s MTV Networks, offers another indication that the music industry, in its struggle with Apple over the pricing of music, is cultivating a new breed of Apple competitor.
Rhapsody is charging 99 cents for a single and $9.99 for an album, the same pricing as on iTunes.
