Sales of recorded music sales fell by more than 7% worldwide in 2003 says the International Federation of Phonographic Industries. Germany led the biggest decline with a drop of 19 percent. The organization reported said that “internet piracy was a major factor in the decline. It said sales had fallen 20% over three years.”
Tag: 04.07.04
Looking To The Bottom Line in Baltimore
As orchestras around North America struggle to adapt to a harsh new funding climate, a dividing line is appearing between those ensembles which choose their leaders based mainly on their perceived business savvy, and those which prefer to be led by individuals with experience in the arts and non-profit sectors. This week, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is expected to take the former course, promoting its 49-year-old marketing director James Glicker, who had never worked for an orchestra before being hired to his current position in January, to the post of executive director.
Oakland Ballet Cancels Season
Facing a $250,000 shortfall on a budget of $1.25 million, the Oakland Ballet has decided to scrap its 2004-05 fall season to save money. The company, which is known for the diversity of its dancers, is hoping to raise $500,000 in the next few weeks, and will focus on finding a secure financial footing before launching its 40th anniversary season in fall 2005.
David Beckham, Award-Winning Author
“David Beckham has won a special prize at the British Book Awards for his book My Side, the fastest-selling biography or autobiography of all time. Lynne Truss’ bestselling grammar guide Eats, Shoots and Leaves picked up the book of the year award, while Alexander McCall Smith was named best author.”
New Kipling Story Published
“A recently-discovered story by Rudyard Kipling has been published for the first time. The tale, part of the Stalky & Co saga, is called Scylla and Charybdis, and sees Stalky and his friends catch a colonel cheating on the golf course. The manuscript was uncovered by an archivist at the Haileybury and Imperial Service College in Windsor, the successor to Kipling’s old school.”
After The Drop: Good Times Ahead For Recording Industry?
What’s to blame for the worldwide drop in retail music sales (the recording industry still sold $32 billion worth of music in 2003)? The industry blames “rampant piracy, poor economic conditions and competition from video games and DVDs. However, a strong second-half recovery in the United States, Britain and Australia, boosted by top-selling acts such as Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé and rapper 50 Cent, has raised hopes that the worst is behind the beleaguered industry.”
Aussies Turn Off TV For DVDs
“The television networks have suspected all year that Australians were watching less TV. They thought their problem was younger viewers distracted by computer games and the internet. Now they know the truth. Viewing by Australians aged 16 to 24 is up 4.4 per cent on last year. Australians aged 25 to 54 have been turning off the most, and the distraction seems to be the family’s new DVD player.”
History Channel Apologizes For Documentary
Last November the History Channel broadcast a documentary that alleged that Lyndon Johnson was complicit in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. A storm of protest ensued, and the History Channel asked historians to vet the program. “In a statement the History Channel acknowledged that the historians determined that the accusation against Johnson was insupportable and that the documentary should not have been broadcast.” The apology will be delivered in a new program.
Anti-Piracy Tactic: Hollywood Cuts DVD Prices In Russia
In Russia, nine of every ten DVD’s sold are pirated copies. So Hollywood is fighting back – by cutting its prices. “The idea is to get Russian consumers used to buying licensed material, but at a price that most of the population can afford.”
Is Short Art Short Value?
“Does great art always have to be a feat of endurance? Is there something aesthetically unsatisfactory about a play that is over in 35 seconds, a short story that contains only seven words, or an opera that can be performed in the time it takes to boil an egg? Fortunately for the culturally hungry with little time on their hands, all these things exist. The issue is whether you think you would be getting your money’s worth.”