Thursday, 17 February 2011

Music Retail Models.


The distribution of music to fans has undergone a revolution. There are 3 main music/film/ gaming retail models.

1)      High street – HMV, Sound Clash, White Label Records, BeatNik Records.
2)      Hybrid – Amazon, Play.com, E-Bay. (Order + pay online and they deliver a physical copy of CD/DVD.
3)      Pure Digital – ITunes, Napster.
-         Digital downloads (99p/£1.99)
-         Digital Music/Videos
-         X Factor/Brit Awards Offer
-         ITunes downloads of performances
-         Straight after the show

Thursday, 3 February 2011

Technological Convergence Research.

Technological Convergence

1) Only a few of my devices can have music stored, as a great deal dont contain hardrives or speakers, however they can store music and simply need speakers connected. However most can store music, and play it straight away, and are examples of technological convergence, mainly for the reason that they can do more then one function, and arent made for one soul reason, they do a variety of things.

2) Very few of the devices that I have selected on my mood board offer other functions such as the internet, being able to watch movies or apps etc. They also offer downloading access (although this isnt free), Instant messenger (e.g. blackberry messenger, windows live etc), facebook (devices such as ipods, phones, xboxs etc all have facebook apps).
3) A high percentage of them are, as some devices like the iphone have more functions then just being a phone, they offer youa  variety of other functions, such as messengers, applications, internet, downloading sites etc. However a lot of them are not examples, as all they do is play music or store it, only about 5-6 actually are clear examples of technological convergence.

4) You can listen to music on my devices ina variety of ways, mainly through the internet on youtube, as all my devices can do that, and you simply select a video and listen, also though downloading off of itunes, but this involves setting up an online account to do so. Not many of my devices use live stream, iphones are the most up to date piece of technology, and does use live stream.

5) Most sites offer full access to music and give you oppurtunitys to download anything you would like, some limit you though, and only display some music, meaning you have to go onto a computer and download it through there, this is mainly for security reasons.

6) Yes ou do on all devices unless done illegally. Most sites that you can download cost up to £10 a month to let you use them, meaning you would have to use it a lot to get your moneys worth, this is how sites make a lot of money, through techological devices, as they can do so much.

7) I would most like to own an IPHONE, mainly as it contains everything i would need, simple yet useful applications, structural programs, such as calenders etc. It also contains a high internet signal, meaning i can acces any sites easily and fast, these are a few of many erasons as to why i would most like to own this item.




1)      The four major record labels are Warner Bros, EMI, Sony & Universal Records.
2)      The term Technical Convergence means to synergistically create new features and offering more choice from a single device, such as Apps, Videos & Games.
3)      4 Technological Convergent devices are, The IPHONE, an XBOX 360, Blackberry phones &
4)     

5 ways Technological Convergence has influenced music fans are:

-         Being able to listen to music on iPods or mp3 players.
-         Being able to download music using there IPHONE or XBOX.
-         Having instant access to all the latest news.
-         Using musical apps.
-         Gigs news & events

     5 ways Technological Convergence has influenced musicians/record labels
-     Promote through social media
-         Interact with fans through social media
-         Create their own sites
-         Leak unreleased tracks online (marketing)
-         New deals + Revenue streams, ISP, NOKIA & Apple.

Record Label Research.

1. The four main record companys in the UK are, Universal Records, Warner Bros, EMI & Sony.

2.
  • Warner Bros promote such famous artists as: Madonna, Muse, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Michael Buble, and many more.
  • EMI Promote such famous artists as, Iron Maiden, Arctic Monkeys, The Beastie Boys, David Bowie, Snoop Dog & Many more.
  • Sony promote such famous artists as, ACDC, The Clash, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, JLS, Bob Dylan & Many more.
  • Universal Records promote such artists as, Lady GaGa, Eminem, Gwen Stefani, Lil Wayne, Rihanna, Black Eyed Peas & Many More.
3)
  • Warner Bros own subsidary record  labels such as Reprise Records, SRE & Many more.
  • EMI own subsidary record labels such as Capitol Records, EMI records Nashville, Virgin Classics & Virgin Records, CMI, Blue Note & Many more.
  • Sony own subsidary record labels such as RCA, Columbia Label Groups, EPIC, J Records, 1965 Recordings, Syco Entertainment, Phonogenic & many more.
  • Universal Records own subsidary record label such as A&M/Octane, Show Dog, The Verve Music Group, Decca Label Group, Interscope Geffen A&M & many more.
4) All of these record companies have come up against many problems & challenegs, the biggest one each one has suffered though, it illegal downloads, millions and millions of people do this, so each record company loses many as people are getting free illegal songs, rather then paying for legal copies, meaning the record companies lose out. This problem was usually attacked by getting illegal downloading software removied from the web, also companies have put there prices up, meaning people have to pay more, this is hard on people who never did download illegally, but it makes a firm blunt point to all illegal downloaders.