New Music Business Briefing: Concord Merges, Live Nation Lays Off, iTunes To Add Ringtones & Much More

>>> Concord Music Group is merging with film company Village Roadshow. (Hollywood Reporter)  Though the move should come as no surprise since Norman Lear co-owned Concord, sadly this means that yet another stand alone label is part of a larger conglomerate with more complex financial goals.

>>> Is Live Nation laying off staff?  About 70 have reportedly been let go and more may be on the way. (TicketNews) Or is this just the elimination of duplicate positions as the House Of Blue staff is integrated into the company?

>>> iTunes is rumored to be opening a ringtone store. Expect an announcement tomorrow when it unveils its new iPod line. (FMQB) Smartly the service is rumored to enable conversion of purchased tracks. Sadly it only works with the iPhone.  Why not a broader service?

>>> Our own sources have confirmed a September launch date for
the new Amazon mp3-only download store. All signs point to both EMI and
Universal plus lots of indie product and an integrated approach
with mp3’s offered alongside traditional CD’s – an approach that is long overdue. (more)

>>> Meanwhile, Rhapsody has opened a section dubbed the MP3 Directory to make it easier  to find it’s DRM-free offerings.  (more)

>>> Vivendi reported a good quarter but its Universal Music division had more mixed results. (pdf of earnings report) The bright spot was a 50% jump in digital revenue.

>>> BMG has settled an old Napster related lawsuit with publishers for $130 million. (Wired)

>>> The RIAA is asking universities to do their dirty work according to a new analysis and the answer may be for colleges to take the lead in solving the overall problem. (ars)