DIGITAL MUSIC NEWS WEEK IN REVIEW
- While the beta version of the Yahoo Music Unlimited store started to sink in, attention turned this week towards a possible price war. Both Napster and RealNetworks stood firm against price drops in public comments, while MSN offered a curiously-timed digital download giveaway.
- Infinity Broadcasting continued to make noise, most recently experimenting with the first simulcast HD Multicast Radio station. Chicago country station WUSN-FM 99.5 HD-2 now delivers a second programming stream over the same frequency.
- In the portable mp3 player space, discussions in Britain continued to focus on a proposed "iPod tax" to compensate rights holders. A levy on iPod sales is already in place in countries like Germany. Meanwhile, several new devices were unveiled this week, including new contenders from Rio and iRiver. But iPod competitors are starting to feel the squeeze, with Singapore-based Creative experiencing continued stock drops. And some not-so-typical devices are also starting to knock on the door, including a new PDA from palmOne that will be compatible with the Rhapsody application from RealNetworks.
- The battle between ISPs and the recording industry continued to play out in several countries this week. While a regional German court delivering a setback to labels, a Canadian federal appeals court rejected an ISP subpoena request but potentially opened the door to future enforcement. Meanwhile, a big court drama is brewing in The Netherlands.
- In the satellite radio space, XM crossed the 4 million subscriber mark, with company CEO Hugh Panero pointing to ongoing discussions with various mobile carriers.
- On the label end, Warner Music Group announced modest losses in its latest quarter, while Universal Music showed a slight move into the black. And Sony BMG continued to demand the pull-down of its online music videos, with insiders pointing to early negotiations with AOL Music.
- In mobile music, Motorola continued to point to an upcoming iTunes-compatible phone release, downplaying any suggestion that carriers are resistant to the device.
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