If we had a CMU Wise Man Of The Week Award (which, just for the record, we don't), then this week it would go to the headmaster of the Brighton school who is insisting his pupils learn a little Mandarin on the basis that the Chinese economy is growing so fast, and China's population is so damn big, that kids of today really should have some knowledge of the country's language and culture. He's right you know. And especially, it would seem, if said kids want to work in music.
Because despite ongoing piracy issues, a new report by US research firm In-Stat reckons that China will be a major market for digital music by 2008, when the legitimate download sector could bring in over US$222 million in annual revenues. The report, 'Digital Music in China', says the arrival of more legitimate download platforms in the country in the last year, coupled with the proactive support of Chinese officials in stopping the illegal distribution of music online, should result in a significant boost in legitimate sales in the next two years.
Commenting on the report, In-Stat analyst Anty Zheng told reporters: "The end of 2007 will be the turning point for China's legitimate digital music market. By then, several mega online music stores will have opened; the user base of portable music devices will have surpassed 100 million; a major crackdown on music piracy will have been in effect for several years; third-generation (3G) mobile communication system access will be rolled out; and consumers will be adequately educated about legitimate digital music."
Telling us that China is going to an increasingly important market is perhaps stating the obvious, though the report does have some more useful information in it too - in particular advice that big players in the global music industry and download space should consider adopting different business models in China where average selling prices are lower, and where a different royalties culture exists.