Now you have another reason to shout TGIF (thank goodness it’s Friday!) at the end of your work week!
According to Rolling Stone, this summer, new music releases will be released internationally on Fridays instead of those awkward, mid-week Tuesday releases. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) , which acts as the ”United Nations” of the music industry, made the decision to switch last month.
The Britain-based organization writes in an official statement:
“Release days currently vary from one country to another, causing frustration for consumers when music fans in other parts of the world can access new releases before them. As well as helping music fans, the move will benefit artists who want to harness social media to promote their new music. It also creates the opportunity to re-ignite excitement and a sense of occasion around the release of new music.
The move to an aligned global release day will also reduce the risk of piracy by narrowing the gap between release days in different countries.
Retailers internationally are committed to working with the labels and artist communities to ensure the successful implementation of the move to Friday.
From summer 2015, new albums and singles will be released at 00:01 local time on Fridays. Music consumers everywhere will know to look for new releases on Fridays regardless of where they are.
Consumer research by TNS across seven markets shows Friday and Saturday as the most preferred days for new music release among consumers who expressed an opinion. More than two thirds of those with a preference (68%) chose Friday or Saturday.
CEO of IFPO, Frances Moore, said in a statement, "Music fans live in the digital world of today. Their love for new music doesn't recognize national borders. They want music when it's available on the Internet – not when it's ready to be released in their country. An aligned global release day puts an end to the frustration of not being able to access releases in their country when the music is available in another country."
While this sounds like a good idea, some aren't too keen on the notion. Martin Mills, CEO of indie label the Beggars Group, thinks it will marginalize independant artists. Mills told The Guardian, "I fear this move will also lead to a market in which the mainstream dominates, and the niche, which can be tomorrow's mainstream, is further marginalized. I fear it will further cement the dominance of the few – and that that is exactly what it is intended to do."
Do you agree with Mills? Good idea or bad idea, Roomies?
