More on BBC Radio 2's Great British Music Debate – which will analyse the state of the British music industry on 2 Jul in a debate fronted by Steve Lamacq.
Industry pundits who have put forward their viewpoint so far include:
Paul Weller said: "Unfortunately these days, if you don't get a hit single and your first album doesn't sell one point whatever million you don't get a chance to make your second one. Pop Idol, Popstars, Fame Academy, the rest of them - I don't think they are causing any problems whatsoever - they are coming up with acts that people do like and they are going out and buying a lot of their product."
Executive producer of the BBC's Top of the Pops, Chris Cowey said: "It's becoming increasingly difficult for record companies to nurture bands. Economically it's much easier for a record company to sign one pretty young male or female, give them some songs, put them out there, and get a very fast return on their investment."
Virgin A&R manager Nick Burgess said: "A lot of labels have been forced into going back to the old way of breaking bands after losing so much money on quick-fix signings, "
Neil ‘Foxy’ Fox said: "Look at how many records Will and Gareth shifted, how many the Pop Idol finalists shifted. It's huge - that has been megabusiness. I think the fact the UK music industry hasn't been investing in new artists and new bands and developing new talent is bad for the music industry.”
The Sun's Dominic Mohan said "[Record companies] are investing their money in the wrong areas. The reality pop bubble is hopefully about to burst and the record companies will be left scratching their heads, wishing they had signed a band like The Streets."
Of course Dominic Mohan’s paper would have some big holes to fill without the reality pop stars, Warners funded 679 did sign The Streets and Neil Fox has developed a unique skill at talking rubbish on these kind of shows – but it’s a debate worth having and we look forward to the show.