More Labels Question eMusic Payouts

We’ve been reporting label unhappiness with eMusic for several months and this week’s print edition of Billboard confirms that several more labels are on the verge of leaving the service.  Under the headline "FLEE
MUSIC?", the trade publication reports without mentioning names that at least six labels, "at least three of whom were among eMusic’s top 60 labels this week" are planning to either pull their catalog or severely limit content from the subscription service. 

Sources tell Hypebot that three of the labels involved in the "revolt" include Red House, Silva America, and Tzadik. This comes just weeks after large indie Victory pulled its catalog from the service. Label dissatisfaction stems from lower per track payouts of 12-26 cents compared to the 60-65 cents paid by iTunes and most other services.

TOMORROW: The start of a series on eMusic that we’ve been researching for weeks including comments from a number of labels and eMusic as well as our exclusive analysis of eMusic payouts and how the label exodus and the entry of other DRM free services may effect eMusic’s future.