Music Downloading. The Effect.
For my feature I’ve chosen to delve into the world of music downloading, looking at the effect it has on the music industry. In particular, I will examine its affect on large record labels such as Sony/BMG and Universal, as well as other independent labels and the ways, if any, its affects on the consumer.
In order to gather research for this issue and ultimately discover what’s going on in the music world, I aim to speak to individuals from the larger and independent labels, as well as ordinary people off the streets. I will ask their perspectives in regards to the issue at hand and hence gain insight into the effect it has, if any, on the industry, or in terms of the consumer, their perception of music availability and music overall.
If I am able to, I aim to ask some local bands whether or not they believe music downloading to be beneficial to their career or for getting their music recognised and out to the greater public. What exactly do LiveNation 360 deals actually mean for artists and the industry?
The reason I have chosen to write about this issue is because I believe it to be a contemporary issue that is revolutionising the music industry. Music downloading has been a topic that has received a vast amount of interest within the media, particularly through the manner in which it has caused many job redundancies such as those witnessed at EMI.
In order to make this story something actually worth reading I will have to find a lot of the hard sales data both old and new. As well as looking at things like the reasons for the loss in CD sales. Is it because of the new technologies such as ring tones and gaming or is it because too many people are downloading from illegal music downlad programmes?
This issue is a debate that I witness constantly within my student body and my group of friends. It has become a moral question – whether or not it is theft or whether it is the consumers right?
