Digital Music News (digitalmusicnews.com)

Wal-Mart Reaffirms Commitment to MP3s; Standoff Continues

April 6, 2008

Wal-Mart recently reaffirmed its commitment to an MP3-only download store, with or without the participation of Warner Music Group and Sony BMG. On Friday, Digital Music News discovered that tracks from Warn... Read More...

MySpace Music Initiative Announced; Three Majors On Board

Paul Resnikoff

April 3, 2008

MySpace Music officially announced itself Thursday morning with blessings from majors Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, and Sony BMG. The tie-up, billed a "landmark joint venture," will include DRM-free downloads, ad-supported audio and video strea... Read More...

Napster Touts Revenue Gains; Profitability, Licensing Questions Remain

Paul Resnikoff

April 3, 2008

Napster continues to boost revenues, but profit and licensing issues remain. Ahead of a formal earnings call, the company pointed to recent-quarter revenues of $31 million, a figure that falls at the high en... Read More...

Developing: Sony BMG, Warner Music Downloads Missing at Wal-Mart

Paul Resnikoff

April 3, 2008

Downloads from Sony BMG and Warner Music Group artists are now unavailable at Wal-Mart's online music store, potentially the result of a licensing impasse between the parties. Following a tip Thursday aftern... Read More...

DeWolfe: MySpace Actively Talking to Independents

Paul Resnikoff

April 3, 2008

A ramped-up MySpace Music will include participation from the independent label sector, according to information offered by MySpace chief executive and cofounder Chris DeWolfe on Thursday. "They will definitely be involved in it," DeWolfe told Digital Music... Read More...

Rolling Stones Roll Into eMusic; Abkco Deal Quietly Emerges

Paul Resnikoff

April 3, 2008

The Rolling Stones have now landed on eMusic, part of a quiet deal emerging Thursday. eMusic subscribers now have access to the entire Rolling Stones catalog spanning 1964-1970, available as MP3s. That incl... Read More...

Album Sales Bath Continues During First Quarter

Alexandra Osorio

April 2, 2008

A disastrous 2007 is now spilling into 2008 for the recording industry, according to figures surfacing Wednesday. During the first quarter, overall album sales in the United States dropped 10.7 percent to 10... Read More...

Live Nation, Jay-Z Signing Massive, $150 Million Pact

Paul Resnikoff

April 2, 2008

Live Nation is now scooping another well-established superstar, and paying handsomely for the privilege. On Wednesday evening, news of a colossal, $150 million deal surfaced, one that would span ten years and cover a broad variety of Jay-Z business endeavor... Read More...

The DRM-Free Drag… Why a Broader Rollout Remains Elusive

Paul Resnikoff

April 2, 2008

Major labels have now ditched DRM, right? Not exactly. Despite a number of high-profile deals over past year, the digital sales landscape remains a patchwork of protected and unprotected content. And the c... Read More...

Streaming CBS Radio Stations Coming to Last.fm

Paul Resnikoff

April 1, 2008

CBS Radio may be a weathered terrestrial heavyweight, but the company is executing a number of aggressive technological initiatives. That includes a massive deal to power AOL Radio stations, an agreement first... Read More...

Chumby Sounds Attractive; $12.5 Million Round Emerges

Paul Resnikoff

April 1, 2008

Personalized portable startup Chumby Industries has now rallied a $12.5 million second round, according to information confirmed by the company this week. The infusion was led by Chicago-based JK&B Capital, with participation from Avalon Ventures, Masthea... Read More...