This is interested. Digital Music News has reported that Madonna might be the latest artist to take her recording career away from the major record companies through a new deal with live music conglom Live Nation which would include recording as well as touring rights.
According to DMN, Madonna has been in discussion with Live Nation regarding a combined touring, recording and merchandising deal for at least a month, while this week sources have said the deal will be worth anything up to $180 million.
The deal would see Madonna end her career long relationship with Warner Music, who have both released much of Madonna's work and gone into business with the singer through the Maverick joint venture. It would also be a sign that not only the record companies can diversify - as the majors talk about moving into the live and merchandising space, leaders in those sectors can move into recordings.
That said, rumour has it Warner are also proposing a similarly lucrative (for Madonna) multi-dimensional deal, so it is not yet clear which way it will go.