| CMU Daily - on the inside Friday 20th January |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- IFPI confirm digital music is booming
- Coldplay set to top 2005 global sales chart
- Wilson Pickett dies
- Waits wins Spanish court case over ad impersonations
- Dynamite not going to prison
- Cam'ron attacks Jay-Z
- 7digital to launch more functionality at Midem
- SonyBMG launch label to boost classic artists
- Kanye West to play at Grammys
- Prince may play Brits
- Wilco drummer releases solo album
- Fiddy plans move from music
- Diddy ad unforgivable in Bible Belt
- Thrills are working on new album
- Arctic Monkeys album named after classic film
- New Polyphonic Spree album on its way
- Album review : Satoshi Tomiie - Renaissance Presents 3D
- We Are Scientists UK tour
- Ordinary Boys gossip/tour dates
- Rakes confirmed for IOW
- More names confirmed for ATP
- Coachella line up leaked
- Billy Corgan on Smashing reunion?
- Strokes reveal new single
- PPL announce new webcasting licences
- C4 confirm digital radio ambitions
- Trouble moving out of kids TV slot
- Clarkson backs down over Idol song rights
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TOP BIT>>
Well, there's an awful lot happening in the world of digital music at the moment - and I don't just mean the IFPI's stats report on the whole thing that was published yesterday. There seems to be a constant stream of press releases coming from companies large and small operating in the digital space just now - I'm sitting on at least six stories right now. Perhaps we'll come in at 5am tomorrow too and publish a Saturday edition to get rid of the backlog. And from what I hear, optimism is returning to the new media sector in general - with our man on the ground reporting that all those 'dot.com recruiters' are recruiting again. Presumably the fact more than nine people now have the kind of internet access and PCs and mobiles that can actually access all those mad digital entertainment services everyone was talking about six years ago helps. All of which means that 2006 could be the year of 'Dot.Com 2: The Empire Strikes Back' (or, more likely, the 'Attack Of The Clones'). Last time round the key problem was that no one had the technology to access any of these services. That problem is now being resolved. It now remains to be seen if people actually want or, more to the point, will pay for any of these services - most of the positive research in this domain either coming from biased sources, or relying on the not-always-indicative reaction of techy early adopters. I'm pretty sure some services will catch on big time. I'm equally sure more will fall by the wayside. And even more sure a lot of money will be lost along the way. Meantime, expect digital music stories galore here in the CMU Daily. If you're heading off to the Big Day Out in Oz or Midem in Cannes this weekend, have a good one. I'll be thinking of you as I give Franhofer's latest developments in MP3 technology some closer analysis.
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CMU FRIDAY TIPS
VIGSY'S CLUB TIP: Universal Vibes at Dust Bar, Shoreditch
I'm a bit confused, because the last time I looked the Shoreditch version of Clerkenwell's Dust Bar was called Industry, but the Universal Vibes people are referring to it as the Dust Bar, so who am I to argue? The launch of a new monthly residency from the UV crew this night will feature Kaidi Tatham aka Agent K, a busy man who combines being a star of Bugz In The Attic with his role in the future funk outfit Likwid Biskit. There'll be future soul grooves and freestyle nu-jazz flavas - live and direct - plus we can expect this workaholic DJ to tinkle the ivories of his Moog too! Resident and creator of the soiree Paddy Freeform will be joining in the action but will find it hard going back to back with Mr Tatham.
Sat 21 Jan, 7pm - 2am. £5, Dust/Industry, 1 Curtain Road Shoreditch, London, EC2 3JX, Info: http://www.dustbar.co.uk or http://www.universalvibes.com
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IFPI CONFIRM DIGITAL MUSIC IS BOOMING
Global trade body the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry yesterday revealed some of the statistics behind the phenomenal rise in legitimate digital music sales in the last two years in its Digital Music Report 2006.
420 million single tracks were downloaded from legitimate sources last year, twenty times more than in 2003. Overall digital music sales via internet and mobile platforms generated US$1.1 billion in 2005, up from $380 million the previous year. All of which means that digital music now accounts for 6% of the industry's overall revenues, up from practically zero two years ago. For their part the record labels, between them, have licensed some 2 million songs to the download sector.
The mobile music sector also grew in importance in 2005, accounting for 40% of those digital revenues, although a large portion of that came from ringtone sales which remain huge and are now benefiting record labels as well as music publishers thanks to the arrival of 'realtones' which use original recordings of tracks rather than mono or polyphonic recreations.
Commenting on the stats, IFPI boss John Kennedy told reporters: "Two years ago, few could have predicted the extraordinary developments we are seeing in the digital music business today. And there will be further significant growth in 2006 as the digital music market continues to take shape. This is great news for the digital music market and the wider digital economy. Record companies are licensing their music prolifically and diversely. A new wave of digital commerce, from mobile to broadband, is rolling out across the world. It is generating billions of dollars in revenues, and it is being driven, to a large extent, by music - by the people who create music, who produce it and who invest in it."
On the flip side illegal downloading remained as prevalent in 2005 as it was in 2004, despite the music industry's high profile and, legally speaking, successful litigation campaign against P2P companies and individual file sharers. However, the IFPI spun this in a positive light, pointing out their research suggested P2P usage wasn't growing hugely, despite considerable growth in broadband access, which makes using the illegal services easier for web users. On these grounds the industry association reckons they are "containing" the problem.
That Kennedy bloke told the BBC: "I would love to be sitting here telling you that it had gone down. As broadband rolls out - and as there's an explosion in many countries of broadband - file-sharing is being contained. But those who've got into the habit of consuming their music for free are very difficult to shift".
Looking forward, the IFPI said the future growth of the digital music sector depended on governments and the music industry's partners in the digital marketplace (that's techy firms and ISPs) placing copyright, digital rights management and the campaign against piracy at the top of the digital agenda. DRM, in particular was, in the IFPI's words "a key enabler", though as we might have mentioned, not everyone in the industry the IFPI represents would agree. More on that here:
http://www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/interviews
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COLDPLAY SET TO TOP 2005 GLOBAL SALES CHART
Talking of IFPI figures, I don't think the global sales figures for 2005 have been announced yet, but according to Hits Daily Double, the four biggest selling albums came from Coldplay, Mariah Carey, Green Day and 50 Cent in that order. Fifth place will go to Black Eyed Peas, Madonna or Kelly Clarkson. So well done Coldplay for being the only non-American artist on that list, and for being top. Obviously they were aided by CMU's unwavering support from the outset.
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WILSON PICKETT DIES
Veteran US soul singer Wilson Pickett has died, aged 64, following a heart attack. His management company confirmed Pickett's death, adding that the singer had been in poor health for the past year - having not performed since 2004.
Pickett rose to fame in the 1960s through hits like 'In The Midnight Hour' and 'Mustang Sally'. He continued to perform regularly until he became ill at the start of last year. He was inducted into the US Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1991.
Pickett's son Michael Wilson told a Washington TV station yesterday: "He did his part. It was a great ride, a great trip. I loved him and I'm sure he was well-loved, and I just hope that he's given his props."
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WAITS WINS SPANISH COURT CASE OVER AD IMPERSONATIONS
Singer Tom Waits has won a court case in Spain over claims a car company impersonated his voice and changed one of his songs without his permission on a TV advert.
As previously reported, Volkswagen-Audi aired the adverts, which used a Waits impersonator singing a version of the track 'Innocent When You Dream', on Spanish television. Waits famously refuses to participate in any advertising campaigns, and had specifically turned down an approach by the production behind the ad campaign before they went the impersonator route.
Waits and publisher Hans Kusters Music had already won an initial court judgement on this case in Mar 2004 - yesterday's ruling was made by Barcelona's Appeal Court. A spokesman for Waits, who said the singer will receive several thousand euros in compensation, told reporters this was the first time a Spanish court had upheld an artist's 'moral rights' - which protect the artist's 'personality and reputation' - in a copyright case. Waits himself added: "Now they understand the words to the song better. It wasn't 'Innocent When You Scheme', it was 'Innocent When You Dream'."
Waits is also suing General Motors and their ad agency McCann Erickson over similar allegations regarding a totally separate TV ad campaign in Germany.
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DYNAMITE NOT GOING TO PRISON
Sighs of relief, no doubt, in the Ms Dynamite camp, as the singer was ordered to complete sixty hours of community service, not prison time, when she appeared at Bow Street Magistrates' Court yesterday for sentencing.
As previously reported, Ms Dynamite, real name Niomi McLean-Daley, was earlier this month charged with disorderly conduct and assault of a police officer and was as a result facing a possible custodial sentence. McLean-Daley was also ordered to pay £750 compensation to the officer in question, Caryn Marles, as well as £50 costs and a £500 fine for her part in the incident that occurred outside London's Paragon Lounge 6 Jan.
Dynamite's solicitor Anthony Burton explained that his client's sister Annabell had been racially abused whilst in the club that evening, but did not claim it as an excuse. He told the court: "My client has absolutely no excuse for her conduct. She makes no bones about that. She apologises profoundly for her conduct to the officer involved, PC Marles. She is deeply ashamed. It was sudden and impulsive but it was not a premeditated push or strike. This was out of character behaviour."
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CAM'RON ATTACKS JAY-Z
US rapper Cam'ron has attacked Jay-Z on his latest track 'You Got It', which will no doubt further high profile hostilities between the pair, who have shared a mutual dislike for some time.
According to MTV, the lyrics of the track apparently go: "You ain't the only one with big wallets/ Got it / My shit's brolick / But ya publishing should go to Miss Wallace / Down at Jeezy's video / I shoulda kissed you on the cheek / You's a pretty ho'/ I left the label right/ Lotta cats wonder how/ Every time I dis that label I get fined a hundred thou."
I have no idea what all that means, but apparently Cam'ron is accusing Jay-Z of stealing Roc A Fella Records off Cam'ron's longterm friend and Jay-Z's former business partner Damon Dash. He also apparently implies that Jay-Z might, in some way or other, be linked to that previously reported shooting and attempted car jacking against Cam'ron in Washington last October.
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7DIGITAL TO LAUNCH MORE FUNCTIONALITY AT MIDEM
Download provider 7 Digital, who added video downloads to their platform at the end of last year, have announced they will launch an updated version of their 'digital store platform' at Midem next week, which will add a load of functionality like SMS payment, the facility to take payment in euros and US dollars and the addition of new languages.
Confirming the new services his company's platform offers, 7Digital MD Ben Drury told CMU: "The third generation of our Digital Store platform is a huge step forward in music and video download retail, bringing downloads into line with the way consumers want to buy and vendors want to sell. We have been innovating in downloads in the UK market for some time and are delighted to be able to offer clients our new technology. At the heart of music industry developments, MIDEM is the perfect place to announce our ground-breaking platform".
7Digital provide the back end of digital music services for the likes of X Factor, Coldplay and Amnesty International's 'Make Some Noise' project.
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SONYBMG LAUNCH LABEL TO BOOST CLASSIC ARTISTS
SonyBMG in the US are launching a new record label which will set out to "to rebrand music icons", which basically means they'll be working with established artists of yesteryear and getting them more exposure. First signings to the label that will be known as Burgundy Records are Chaka Khan and Aaron Neville, the latter of which will be getting quite a bit of exposure when he sings the national anthem at the Super Bowl on 5 Feb.
Commenting on the new venture, SonyBMG exec Joe DiMuro, who will oversee Burgundy, told reporters: "Just because a legendary artist is not currently heard on the radio does not mean that their new music is no longer relevant. Artists such as Neville and Chaka Khan are viable and relevant musical legends, and Burgundy Records is committed to promoting and celebrating the breadth and depth of music that these artists create".
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KANYE WEST TO PLAY AT GRAMMYS
Kanye West has been confirmed as one of the acts scheduled to appear at the Grammy Awards in LA next month.
He's part of a line-up which also includes fellow nominees Mariah Carey and John Legend. West is, of course, expected to dominate at the event, given his eight nominations for 2005 album 'Late Registration', and he himself is expecting to win big.
He recently told MTV: "It's like [Michael] Jordan. That first year when he comes out and they win a championship it's like, 'OK, yeah, that's good'. But that second year he has to set new goals, he says, 'No, I want this, I'm going for this.' So when I worked on ['Late Registration'] I kept on saying to Jon [Brion, producer], 'Are you ready to win Album of the Year?'"
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PRINCE MAY PLAY BRITS
Talking of award show line ups, Prince is reportedly in talks with Brit Award bosses to perform at this year's Brits. According to the Sun he is considering a collaboration with the Pussycat Dolls. No, really.
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WILCO DRUMMER RELEASES SOLO ALBUM
Wilco drummer and percussionist Glenn Kotche is to release a new solo album, 'Mobile' on 6 Mar. The LP features eight tracks by Kotche, and, according to NME.com, utilises a whole range of interesting instruments including vibraphone, kalimba, mbira, with one track, 'Monkey Chant', using just a drum kit.
Kotche is a busy guy. In addition to his solo work and his role in Wilco, he has two other side projects, rock trio Loose Fur, who are set to release their second album this year, and jazz duo On Fillmore, who released their most recent work, 'Sleeps With Fishes', in 2005.
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FIDDY PLANS MOVE FROM MUSIC
50 Cent, in the news a lot at the moment because of that film he's in that doesn't promote violence, has said that he's planning to make only two more albums before he moves on to work in a different area of the music business, treading the fairly well trod path taken by hip-hop stars such as Dr Dre.
He told the BBC: "I can tell you now you're only gonna get two more albums from me. I'm gonna fulfil my album requirements, with Shady Aftermath records, and then I'm not sure what I'm gonna do. I'm not sure I'm gonna be working in films afterwards. I think I wanna stay in the music business, just behind the scenes."
On his friend Eminem's career path, he said: "I don't think Em will be performing again. I think, maybe, I can get him to make a record with me. But I'm not sure he'll make a record by himself again."
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DIDDY AD UNFORGIVABLE IN BIBLE BELT
Talking of hip-hop types whose promotional material has been getting them into trouble recently (well, we were), Diddy (No P, now, remember) has been banned from stores in America's Bible Belt. An in-store advertisement for the rap mogul's new fragrance 'Unforgivable' pictures Diddy relaxing on a bed with two women, thereby implying some kind of three way activity (game of scrabble, maybe?), causing shock, and no doubt fits of the vapours, amongst those sensitive Midwestern types.
The image has therefore been barred from shops in the region, although Estee Lauder, who produce the perfume, have defended their ad campaign. John Dempsey, global president of Estee Lauder, said "Many fragrance ads are risqué, begging the question 'how much is too much'? Who has the 'too sexy ruler' to decide what is offensive and what is creative?"
The company have, of course, shot a new image to use in outlets in the Midwestern region.
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THRILLS ARE WORKING ON NEW ALBUM
The Thrills are working on a follow up album to 2004's 'Let's Bottle Bohemia', according to a post left on the band's official website by singer Conor Deasy which reads: "We will return to our rural retreat in a few weeks to give the songs a final polish and tie up any loose ends. In the intervening weeks I'll continue writing and hopefully have a couple of new songs ready to throw on the heap."
He also revealed that the band are to work again with Tony Hoffer, who produced the first Thrills album: "We used to think that for a band to progress, you couldn't use the same producer again. In hindsight that was a bad case of tunnel vision and group think. Tony is a great producer and a lovely guy. I believe we can make a really exciting record together without repeating ourselves."
The band plan to begin recording next month.
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ARCTIC MONKEYS ALBUM NAMED AFTER CLASSIC FILM
NME.com report that Arctic Monkeys have confirmed that their debut album, 'Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not', got its title from a line of dialogue in classic sixties movie 'Saturday Night And Sunday Morning' which stars a young Albert Finney. The full line is: "Whatever people say I am, that's what I am not. Because they don't know a bloody thing about me. God knows what I am."
Elsewhere in Arctic Monkeys news, the band played a cover of Girls Aloud's catchy pop tune 'Love Machine' live on Jo Whiley's Radio 1 show yesterday. Asked why they picked the song to play, they simply said: "We just wanted to play it," which is why you gotta love Arctic Monkeys, almost as much as Richard Archer. Perhaps even a little more. Because they're northerners.
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NEW POLYPHONIC SPREE ALBUM ON ITS WAY
A new Polyphonic Spree album is on its way. Main man Tim DeLaughter has revealed the name of the new LP, which he says is entitled 'The Fragile Army'. It's said to be "coming soon" according to the band's website, although no official release date has been set.
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ALBUM REVIEW: Satoshi Tomiie - Renaissance presents 3D (Renaissance)
Dance music super-brand Renaissance attempt to reinvent the tired mix-comp model with '3D' - a concept which aims to exhibit not only the representative DJ set, but also the artists' own productions and an insight into their inspiration as well, all in one 3 disc album. At last - value for money! So who better to kick off such a demanding project than the suitably qualified Satoshi Tomiie - the Def-Mix prodigy who clearly ticks all the right boxes? First off is the 'Club' disc, which perfectly encapsulates a modern-day, peak-time Tomiie set, and unlike his characteristic dark and heavy New York house, the sound is full-on electro. The opening tracks are rich with fat, retro chords and bass-lines, before the mix builds to a contemporary climax with tracks like Electrochemie's 'Big One' - an epic, undulating, synth bombshell, and 'Restore' by Jim Rivers -a James Holden clone, complete with 8-bit melodies and low-fi, clicky beats. On the whole I can't say I'm overjoyed that every man and his DJ dog have 'gone electro', but Tomiie clearly employs it well - it's surprisingly warm, funky and fun. Disc two simply speaks for the outstanding studio skills that have made Tomiie the highly sought-after producer he is today. Tracks (re-edited exclusively for the album) include recent works for Kosheen and Slok, but also Tomiie classics, 'Love In Traffic' and the timeless 'Tears' - the record that, alongside house legend Frankie Knuckles, first propelled him into the public eye. With all these gems on one disc this could easily be a release on its own, and it's certainly my choice of the three. Nonetheless, we're onto the final instalment 'At Home', which applies the ubiquitous 'Back To Mine' mould and delves into a patchy mix of Tomiie's favourite home-listening and inspirational pieces. I expected to dislike this token coffee-table addition, but I was in fact pleasantly surprised by the eclectic blend of smart, original music. Although I suspect the fashionable 'Club' disc will fade in time, overall, Tomiie has created a rewarding and accomplished album, and Renaissance, a desirable concept. OG
Release date: 30 Jan
Press contact: Up-PR [all]
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WE ARE SCIENTISTS UK TOUR
We Are Scientists have announced a UK tour in April. They are, of course, also featuring in the ShockWaves NME Awards Tour 2006, which kicks off next week in Dublin. Here are the April Dates:
5 Apr: Portsmouth Pyramids Centre
6 Apr: Bristol Anson Rooms
7 Apr: Manchester Academy
8 Apr: Glasgow QMU
9 Apr: Leeds Met University
10 Apr: Birmingham Irish Centre
11 Apr: Cambridge Junction
12 Apr: London Astoria
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ORDINARY BOYS GOSSIP/TOUR DATES
Let's get the gossip out of the way, then. Ordinary Boys bassist James Gregory has said that he thinks his bandmate and C'leb Big Brother contestant Preston is behaving badly because he's apparently flirting like mad with non-c'leb Chantelle, and Preston's French girlfriend Camille Aznar is said to be devastated.
Gregory has reportedly said: "Camille is gorgeous and charming and very clever - the complete opposite of Chantelle. She was planning something for him when he gets out, if you know what I mean. So my advice to Preston right now is: 'Just remember you've got a girlfriend'. That's all I can say. Right now, Camille definitely needs to hear that he loves her. You have got to imagine what you would be feeling if it was your partner. It's awkward to see because he does have some feelings for Chantelle."
And on to the good news, which is that The Ordinary Boys are going on tour in March. Can I go and see them? Here are the dates:
19 Mar: Glasgow Barrowlands
20 Mar: Manchester Academy
21 Mar: Nottingham Rock City
23 Mar: Leeds University
24 Mar: Bournemouth Solent
25 Mar: Brixton Academy
26 Mar: Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall
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RAKES CONFIRMED FOR IOW
You know, it's getting to that time of year when there's lots of festival news. Hurrah. Festivals. Maybe I'll actually get to go to one some time this year. Anyway, this is the news that The Rakes have joined the line up for the 2006 Isle Of Wight Festival. They'll appear on the opening night alongside Placebo, Prodigy and Goldfrapp. The IOW Festival takes place from 9-11 Jun at Seaclose Park in Newport.
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MORE NAMES CONFIRMED FOR ATP
More festy type news, and further acts have been confirmed for the United Sounds Of ATP weekends. Joanna Newsom, Lightening Bolt, Magik Markers, Destroyer, Services and Triangle are set to join the lineups curated by Devendra Banhart, Mudhoney and Yeah Yeah Yeahs (12-14 May), and The Shins, Sleater-Kinney and Dinosaur Jr (19-21 May).
The confirmed lineup is as follows:
Weekend One:
Day one: Mudhoney, Black Mountain, The Scientists, The Drones, Country Teasers, Comets on Fire, David Dondero, Jon Wahl & The Amadans, Total Sound Group Direct Action Committee, The Flesh Eaters.
Day two: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on The Radio, Ex-Models, Celebration, Blood Brothers, The Liars, Imaginary Folk, Tall Boys, Oneida.
Day three: Devendra Banhart, Espers, Vetiver, Bat for Lashes, The Metallic Falcons, Jana Hunter, Vashti Bunyan, The Metallic Falcons, Danielle Stech-Homsy, Bert Jansch, The Watts Prophets, Magik Markers, Services.
Weekend Two:
Day one: Dinosaur Jr, Dead Meadow, Bevis Frond, Broken Social Scene, Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Lilys, Magik Markers.
Day two: Sleater Kinney, Joanna Newsom, The Gossip, David Cross (MC), Spoon, The Boredoms, Joanna Newsom, Lightening Bolt.
Day three: The Shins, New Pornographers, The Decemberists, Clinic, Big Business, Triangle, Destroyer.
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COACHELLA LINE UP LEAKED
See, what did I tell you? More festival news, this time Californian, this time not actually confirmed. A leak suggests that Depeche Mode, the long gone but not forgotten Portishead, and a reformed Smashing Pumpkins are amongst the bands that might be playing at Coachella this year. A poster for the event has apparently appeared online revealing the lineup, which is also expected to include sets from The White Stripes, The Strokes, Gorillaz, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Ordinary Boys, Sufjan Stevens, Antony And The Johnsons, Underworld, Editors, Maximo Park, Massive Attack and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.
Though as we say, organisers are yet to confirm any acts for the festival, which takes place from 29 - 30 Apr, but say tickets will go on sale on 4 Feb.
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BILLY CORGAN ON SMASHING REUNION?
Talking of Smashing Pumpkin reunions, Billy Corgan, who has been trying to get his band back together for quite a while, has hinted on his website that his plans for reforming are coming along nicely, thus lending the above story greater credence. Corgan writes: "The surprise I have in store for you all will be announced soon enough. Hold on to your horses. After all, good things surely comes to those who wait....Don't you just love the suspense?"
As previously reported, Corgan took an ad out in the Chicago tribune saying that he wanted his old band to reunite: "When I played the final Smashing Pumpkins show on the night of December 2, 2000, I walked off the stage believing that I was forever leaving a piece of my life behind. I naively tried to start a new band, but found that my heart wasn't in it. I moved away to pursue a love that I once had but got lost. So I moved back home to heal what was broken in me, and to my surprise I found what I was looking or. I found that my heart is in Chicago, and that my heart is in the Smashing Pumpkins. For a year now I have walked around with a secret, a secret I chose to keep. But now I want you to be among the first to know that I have made plans to renew and revive the Smashing Pumpkins. I want my band back, and my songs, and my dreams. In this desire I feel I have come home again."
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STROKES REVEAL NEW SINGLE
The Strokes have revealed that the next single to be released from the excellent new album 'First Impressions Of Earth' will be 'Heart In A Cage'. As yet, no release date or B-side details have been confirmed.
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PPL ANNOUNCE NEW WEBCASTING LICENCES
Not wishing to play down their achievement or anything, but I suspect most people in the internet radio sector will be saying "about fecking time too".
PPL, the licensing body representing loads of record labels, has announced its intention to launch new licences for webcasters. Many of those radio stations broadcasting exclusively online have been operating without a licence from PPL for some time because, if their service fell outside the domain of the 'non-interactive internet radio licence' set up by the royalties body in 2003, there was just no licence available.
The new licences will enable internet radio stations who offer archive programming, customised services or limited interactive services to operate legitimately for the first time.
PPL legal bloke Peter Leathem told CMU: "This is fantastic news for our members and our licensees. Although many webcasters have taken up our existing internet radio licence, it is quite limited in terms of what it allows them to do. The fact that we haven't been able to license services such as archived programmes and interactive services has not only proved frustrating for potential licensees but has meant that some services have been operating outside of the law. We know that the demand is out there for these services and we want to get out there and license them on behalf of our members - this is a largely untapped market and internet radio is still developing as a broadcast medium".
Key players in the internet radio sector, who have been somewhat frustrated by PPL's procrastination in this domain, will welcome the new licences, though they will presumably want to look at the conditions and costs being proposed by the royalties body before cracking out the champagne.
All this talk of internet radio's got me thinking. Mmmm. A CMU Radio Show, now that would be nice.
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C4 CONFIRM DIGITAL RADIO AMBITIONS
Channel 4 has confirmed it intends to bid for the second commercial national digital radio multiplex which OfCom will put up for tender later this year. C4 boss Andy Duncan reckons Channel 4 is uniquely placed to provide a range of speech and music based radio stations that could genuinely take on the BBC.
Speaking at the Oxford Media Convention, Duncan said: "We are looking at a range of Channel 4 branded speech and music stations. In terms of partners, we are talking to some people who are already in the radio industry and a number of people who aren't. This could provide a real boost for the commercial radio market, which is a bit down in the doldrums at the moment."
Channel 4 are currently looking for partners to join them in their bid for the multi-plex. The TV network first got involved in radio last year by taking a stake in digital speech station OneWord. There has been much speculation of the TV company's interest in the national digital multi-plex, with EMAP previously touted as a possible partner.
Of course GCap, who own the current commercial national digital multiplex, are still trying to stop OfCom from making a second network available at all.
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TROUBLE MOVING OUT OF KIDS TV SLOT
Not really music news, but fans of youth TV channel Trouble should be wary that the station will be moving its slot on Sky's electronic programme guide because it fears it is losing some of its target teenage audience by being placed with the other kids channels.
Trouble programme director Jonathan Webb told the Media Guardian: "It's always been a difficult thing for Trouble, because we target 10 to 20 year olds. But show me a 14 year old who actually watches anything on the kids EPG. The kids EPG is a ghetto, which is incredibly good for channels such as Nickelodeon and Disney, who are targeting four- to 12-year-olds. But 70% of that audience bugger off after 7pm. We're positioning ourselves somewhere between MTV and E4. We're still targeting the same group of people, but in a much cleverer, more sassy way."
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CLARKSON BACKS DOWN OVER IDOL SONG RIGHTS
Former American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson has backed down after initially saying that contestants on the talent show would not be allowed to sing songs from her catalogue. The singer, who triumphed in the first series of the show back in 2002, has now agreed to allow the contestants in the latest series to use her tracks.
When it was initially revealed that Clarkson's record label SonyBMG had denied permission for the songs to be used on the show, judge Simon Cowell said "I think that by ignoring the show you're ignoring the audience who put you there." In fairness to Clarkson, she probably has an understandable reason for that initial position; in a 2005 she told Associated Press "They always talk about the big first thing that you did. I think the only thing that I do mind is I don't want people to only focus on that."
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BURNS COAT IS NOT GORILLA
Apparently Pete Burns controversial 'gorilla' coat is not made out of the skin of a gorilla after all. Experts analysed the coat after animal rights body PETA said the former Dead Or Alive singer should be prosecuted under the Control Of Trade In Endangered Species Regulations for owning the coat, which caused controversy in the Celebrity Big Brother house when Burns started wearing it. With that in mind, police seized the coat from the BB house, but experts at the Natural History Museum say that while the coat may contain fur from monkeys, it does not come from an endangered species. The people from PETA now want to meet with Burns themselves to talk him out of wearing fur. Now that would make good reality TV.