http://www.betalogue.com/2007/07/04/the-slow-death-of-the-middle-man-prince-record-stores-itunes-and-the-music-industry/ Notes from an unfinished world… Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:48:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.betalogue.com/2007/07/04/the-slow-death-of-the-middle-man-prince-record-stores-itunes-and-the-music-industry/comment-page-1/#comment-7365 The Daydream Blog » Blog Archive » In Praise of the Middle Man Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:07:50 +0000 http://www.betalogue.com/2007/07/04/the-slow-death-of-the-middle-man-prince-record-stores-itunes-and-the-music-industry/#comment-7365 [...] One of the most prominent examples is the Music industry, where it was felt that the Internet would allow artists to reach their audience without signing to one of the much derided music labels. Prince has recently distributed his latest album for “free” with a Sunday newspaper in the UK. Pierre Igot, in his Betalogue, claims that this is an indication of the middle men in music is indeed slowly but surely dying off. The reality is that the newspaper acted as distributor, in place of conventional record stores. They made money from increased distribution and advertising, whereas Prince will have received a guaranteed amount from the paper, rather than being subject to the fickle music market. Whilst this is not an Internet example, it demonstrates that even well known artists still need distributors in order to make a living out of their art. [...] [...] One of the most prominent examples is the Music industry, where it was felt that the Internet would allow artists to reach their audience without signing to one of the much derided music labels. Prince has recently distributed his latest album for “free” with a Sunday newspaper in the UK. Pierre Igot, in his Betalogue, claims that this is an indication of the middle men in music is indeed slowly but surely dying off. The reality is that the newspaper acted as distributor, in place of conventional record stores. They made money from increased distribution and advertising, whereas Prince will have received a guaranteed amount from the paper, rather than being subject to the fickle music market. Whilst this is not an Internet example, it demonstrates that even well known artists still need distributors in order to make a living out of their art. [...]

]]> http://www.betalogue.com/2007/07/04/the-slow-death-of-the-middle-man-prince-record-stores-itunes-and-the-music-industry/comment-page-1/#comment-7360 Olivier2 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:58:25 +0000 http://www.betalogue.com/2007/07/04/the-slow-death-of-the-middle-man-prince-record-stores-itunes-and-the-music-industry/#comment-7360 Good post! I couldn't agree more. About the recording industry, DRM, iTunes, record stores, etc. I'm also still buying CDs online, since it's still the only (?) way to get "CD-quality" music legally. Good post! I couldn’t agree more. About the recording industry, DRM, iTunes, record stores, etc. I’m also still buying CDs online, since it’s still the only (?) way to get “CD-quality” music legally.

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