The devil is in the unrevealed and perhaps even un-negotiated details of the just announced MySpace Music joint venture with the major labels. But already some clear winners and looers are already emerging.
WINNERS:
MySpace – Users will stay on the site and viewing ads longer and music adds a new revenue stream.- SonyBMG, Universal, and WMG – They get to sell stuff where the fans already are.
- Facebook & Other Social Networkers – This deal is not exclusive and talks with labels just got easier now that a framework is in place.
- Music 2.0 Entrepreneurs – Thanks to Google open social indie content providers can offer competing services alongside the official offers. (or can they?)
- Fans – The music you love and your friends all in one place.
LOOSERS:
Indie artists and labels – The majors are partner’s in this deal; so don’t assume that others will get a fair shake. Remember SnoCap?- imeem and iLike – They’ll have to adapt or risk serving only hard core music heads.
- EMI – Sure they’ll end up joining in, but coming late to the party doesn’t make them look good particularly at a time when everyone is watching.
- Download Stores – Unless iTunes, Amazon and others start feeling more like music destinations, people (particularly young ones) will be attracted to grabbing music where they discovered it.
- Fans – With the major labels co-owning the delivery platform; they’re free to raise prices, set priorities and abuse data.
