Decline and fall of a music empire

Posted on January 4, 2007
Filed Under Advertising, Broadband, Copyright, Digitisation, Entertainment, Future, Music, Newspapers, Paid Content, Technology, Trends | Leave a Comment

The FT reports on MusicZone’s slide into administration.  There is upside for the industry in terms of the growth of digital revenues but this growth is no where near enough to cover the dramatic decline in the revenue from physical formats. This will all sound very familiar to newspaper executives.

The downward trend has been clear for five years but recent figures suggest that the decline in CDs and DVDs has accelerated. The IFPI, the music trade association, reported a 10 per cent slide in physical format sales in the first half of the year around the world.

Ged Doherty, the head of Sony BMG’s UK operations, predicted two months ago that CD sales would halve over the next three years.

“We predict digital growth of 25 per cent per year but it is not enough to replace the loss from falling CD sales.”

Mr Doherty warned that, if current trends continued, by 2010 the industry’s total revenues could be 30 per cent lower than they are now. He said: “We have to reinvent.”

Yahoo and Dash hook up to provide mobile local search

Posted on January 4, 2007
Filed Under Broadband, Future, Good Things, Newspapers, Search, Technology, Wi-fi | Leave a Comment

In an interesting development Yahoo and Dash have announced a deal that will allow them to integrate local search technology within in-car SatNav and will connect to the internet via mobile phone or wireless network where available.

“It really is a new implementation of mobile search,” says Peter MacDonald, senior director of business development for Yahoo Local. “People need to find information about local businesses and what’s around them not just when they’re at their PC.”

Interactive TV lets viewers edit shows

Posted on December 19, 2006
Filed Under Broadband, Technology, User Generated | Leave a Comment

New interactive TV service being trialled will allow users to set preferences and even determine the outcome of programmes.

“The concept, based on technology developed by BT and a variety of broadcasting and content companies, lets the viewer structure news bulletins, documentaries and even dramas to suit their preferences, initially using text messages, though eventually through remote controls”.

Google and Skype join new wi-fi venture

Posted on February 6, 2006
Filed Under Broadband, Good Things, Wi-fi | Leave a Comment

The FT reports that Google, Skype, Index Ventures and Sequoia Capital are investing €18m in funding for Madrid-based Fon to build on its growing global band of “foneros”.

The company allows broadband subscribers to share their internet connection with other users to create local “hot spots”.  They already have 3,000 members.

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