The company managing the Band Aid 20 website reckon the charity track will be the biggest download ever, and I think they might be right. 7 Digital Media's Ben Drury told CMU: "Band Aid 20 is set to be the best-selling download ever. After just a few hours we have already seen thousands of downloads of the track. Most people are downloading both the new version and the original 1984 recording for £1.99. With the track being available for download we're able to raise thousands of pounds for the children of Africa even before a single CD is sold. Twenty years ago this was not possible and it was weeks before funds started rolling in. But with new technology we are able to take a track that was recorded on Sunday and have it available for download today".
To be the biggest download ever it will have to beat U2's Vertigo, which has been downloaded more than 20,000 times - a feat Drury expects will occur before Christmas. As previously reported, you can buy the digital track from various download platforms, or direct from http://www.buybandaid20.com
Elsewhere in Band Aid news, the video of the new version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas' was screened on TV for the first time just before 6pm yesterday, introduced by Madonna. In, what might be considered a slight moment of overkill, the video simultaneously premiered on BBC 1, BBC 2, ITV1, Channel 4 and Sky One. In her introduction Madonna's told viewers: "Twenty years ago, I performed at Live Aid and the world watched. You saw me and my generation demanding a change. Once again, here we are 20 years later. More people die of hunger in Africa than war and Aids put together. In a world of plenty, it is hard to imagine that most African children will go to bed tonight hungry. Bob Geldof and his friends are here to remind you that we can never forget. Not ever. Feed the world. I am honoured to introduce Band Aid 20."
The single is released a week on Monday and remains favourite to be Christmas number one, though bookies have shortened the odds a little having heard the new version of the track (it being a bit rubbish and all that - but the original is on the b-side don't forget!). But in this day and age it's not the single sales that really count is it? You make the real money on the ring tone - and the 'Do They Know It's Christmas' ringtone, in aid of the Band Aid Trust, will be available any day now. Hurrah.