Evidence and Case Studies

The decline of the music industry:

Dec 2008: Microsoft unveils Zune Pass deal: $15 per month for unlimited songs to listen to – and 10 to keep. (Ars Technica)

Dec 2008: eMusic reveals 250 million songs downloaded and $70 million predicted revenue from 400,000 subscribers. (Techcrunch)

Dec 2008: MSN launch ‘Unsigned’ to its UK music channel to let new bands upload their music. (Mashable)

Nov 2008: Ace of Bass create Remix Kit for new album. Released via Koblo for $4.99.

Jun 2008: iTunes passes 5 billion songs sold. Launched on Apr 28, 2003, it took 3 years to reach 1st billion, 10 months to reach second, 7 months to reach third, 5.5 months to reach fourth, and five months to reach 5 billion. (Fortune)

May 2008: Nine Inch Nails release The Slip as a free download.

Apr 2008: Nine Inch Nails release Ghosts 1-4 for free download. Trent Reznor makes $1,619,420 from the release across all formats, including double CD special edition.

Oct 2007: Radiohead release In Rainbows, first as a digital download.

Websites to look at: