Tuesday’s Music 2.0 Briefing: Rhapsody On Facebook, Universal Licensing, MTV Discovers Music & Much More

DAILY NEW MUSIC BUSINESS NEWS & COMMENTARY –

> Rhapsody on Facebook is a new app that embeds free full song playback of up to 25 tracks (more is you subscribe) on a personal or band page. (NYTimes)
At a time when Universal is cutting song playback on MySpace to 90 seconds, Facebook and Rhapsody have delivered the goods as well as combined to popular services.

> Denon‘s new networked audio systems now offer direct access to Rhapsody. Kudos to Rhapsody for the many recent partnerships.


> Universal appears to be combining departments to offer global song and download licensing from a single source. (Listiening Post) Long overdue. Now if only indie efforts to do the same like Merlin could gain traction.

> iTunes Plus DRM free offerings are finally growing with the addition of Koch Records.

> MySpace has launched its 20th localized site in Brazil. Google’s Orkut currently dominates social netowrking in the country. (cNet) I wonder how many music marketers or indie artists are using these localized sites to promote  in other territories.

> MTV is finally giving music appearing in its programming more credit on the web. (example) Rumor is that soon more songs and act will be identified on screen via overlays. Why don’t the web lists link to MTV;s partner Rhapsody for downloads?

> Sony is offering European Walkman buyers a free music subscription for 3 months. (Design News) Nothing revolutionary, but another sign that in the future music may be sold as service more than a commodity.

> Social networking and entertainment business services site Cornerworld.com will now offers members full access to Napster’s digital music catalog.

> Digital jukebox service eCast has launched a monthly chart of the most popular new releases.  See the first R&B dominated BarPulse chart after the jump.

November 2007 BarPulse(TM)
    Courtesy: Ecast, Inc.


         Track         Album            Label          Release     Artist
                                                        Date
    No One          As I Am        J Records (Sony)    11/13/07  Alicia Keys

    Kiss Kiss       Exclusive      Jive (Sony)         11/06/07  Chris Brown
    (feat. T-Pain)

    Like You'll     As I Am        J Records (Sony)    11/13/07  Alicia Keys
    Never See Me
    Again

    Wall to Wall    Exclusive      Jive (Sony)         11/06/07  Chris Brown

    My Drink N'     B.A.R.S. The   J Records (Sony)    11/06/07  Cassidy
    My 2 Step       Barry Adrian
    (feat.          Reese Story
    SwizzBeatz)

    With You        Exclusive      Jive (Sony)         11/06/07  Chris Brown

    Stupid Boy      Greatest Hits  Capitol (EMI)       11/20/07  Keith Urban
                    18 Kids

    Lesson Learned  As I Am        J Records (Sony)    11/13/07  Alicia Keys
    (feat. John
    Mayer)

    Wreckless Love  As I Am        J Records (Sony)    11/13/07  Alicia Keys

    F*** Me Pumps   Frank          Universal (UC)      11/20/07  Amy Winehouse