Record Industry Considering a Standard, Global Album Release Day

The music industry is on the verge of adopting a global street date that could see all countries issuing new releases on a Friday, probably beginning a year from now, in July 2015, according to industry sources.

While some sources say its a done deal as far as the major labels and the IFPI and RIAA are concerned, other sources insist the issue has yet to be fully decided. The main reason why the industry is moving toward a global street date -- instead of letting each territory pick the day that they feel is best for their respective markets, which is the way it works now -- is to cut down on global piracy.

With Australia now having a Friday street date, digital piracy begins almost immediately around the globe, as the new release is shared across the web before fans in the U.K. (which has a Monday street date) or the U.S. (which has a Tuesday street date) have a chance to purchase the music legally.

With varying street dates in different markets, the labels are able move their artists around in order to take advantage of marketing opportunities that coincide with the changed street date. Now, labels can still do that on the week of release, but will have less opportunity to schedule a high-profile appearance on the release date itself.

While sources say that digital music service providers like the Friday street date, not all physical merchants have given the change their blessing; some indie labels and indie merchants are opposed to having the global street date on Friday. They say they like the concept of having street dates early in the week because they feel it helps sell more CDs -- devout customers of an artist will come in on Tuesday while others will come in on payday, which is usually at the end of the week. Yet, in the end, brick-and-mortar stores and indie labels may not have much say in picking which day of the week functions as the global street date.

"This global streetdate is necessary for the industry but unfortunately it will be awkward for the physical retailers to change their ways of doing business," says one label executive. "Now, they could have two-thirds of their sales in one day," which would impact retail operation.

Meanwhile, preparing for a universal street date is not without issues for all parties, which is why there is so much lead time ahead of the contemplated shift.

Among the issues that have to be addressed to accommodate the shift is that physical pipeline scheduling will have to be revamped, and discussions on whether and how to change the various music charts around the world. Beyond the music industry -- which created the notion of an industry streetdate for new releases and established Tuesday as that day in the U.S. -- other entertainment software industries have adopted Tuesday as well, first the home video industry and then the book industry. Now that the various entertainment companies have taught the U.S. consumer to go to stores on a Tuesday, will those other industries follow suit and change with the music industry?

The main reason why the industry is moving toward a global street date -- instead of letting each territory pick the day that they feel is best for their respective markets, which is the way it works now -- is to cut down on global piracy.

Because the reason people in the UK and US steal music is because those lucky bastards down under get releases a couple days earlier. I wish I had a nickel for every time someone told me, "Oh, I'd love to buy that album, but to wait another four days? Forget it - I have better things to do with my money." I'd have almost...a nickel. Give or take a nickel.

It's not the frigging timing. How about this - make stuff available worldwide. No Japan-only bonus tracks. No UK-only releases. Yeah, I know certain artists don't sell in certain countries - but at least make the stuff more easily available to me. And to expand this to DVDs/BDs - get rid of the stupid region codes.

Stop making our lives more difficult, and you might find out you'll sell more.

Retailers and independent labels call for weekly worldwide album release day to be Monday

A host of retailers and independent record labels have called for the proposed worldwide release day for albums to happen on a Monday, the traditional release date in the UK.

As it stands the plan, which will see albums released on the same day across the globe, is for Friday to be the designated day for album releases. However, a number of musical organisations have expressed that this move could lead to additional financial costs.

In a statement, organisations including Rough Trade, US record shop Amoeba Music and the Association of Independent Music explained their views on the situation.

The statement reads: "A move to a Friday would unfortunately entail additional costs for many in the industry. We believe that while these costs are easily calculable, tangible costs, the forecasted beneficial revenue effects of a Global Release Day are inconclusive and subject to a range of opinions."

"More and more global releases have been coming out on a Monday and the industry has proven that it can handle these with no additional cost."

The companies involved did, however, support the general idea to release globally on the same day, citing combating piracy as one of the major benefits of the scheme.

Albums and singles to be released on Fridays under new global plans

It has been confirmed that the release date for new albums and singles will be aligned globally to Fridays.

Singles are currently released in the UK on Sundays, with albums released on Mondays. The new rules mean this will now change, as too will the US (release day Tuesday) and Europe (Friday).

The new rule has been welcomed by the IFPI, representing some 1,300 record labels worldwide and FIM, representing musicians' unions and associations globally.

The move is designed to benefit artists who want to harness social media to promote their new music and re-ignite excitement around the release of new music as well as reducing the possibility for an album to be pirated in the gap between international release dates.

From summer 2015, new albums and singles will be released at 00.01 local time on Fridays. The move to a global release day follows several months of discussions between group representing retailers, record companies, artists and musicians' unions.

Chart compilers around the world will also have to change in accordance with the new rules, with the Official Charts Company in the UK issuing the following statement: "Following the announcement that the record industry is moving to a synchronised global release day of Friday, we will also be looking to move the UK chart announcement day. Exact details are to be decided but Radio 1 will continue to be the home of the Official Chart."

Meanwhile, BBC Radio 1 confirmed that a decision had yet to be made on whether their weekly chart show would move or remain in its current timeslot.

[It's not the frigging timing. How about this - make stuff available worldwide. No Japan-only bonus tracks. No UK-only releases. Yeah, I know certain artists don't sell in certain countries - but at least make the stuff more easily available to me. And to expand this to DVDs/BDs - get rid of the stupid region codes.

Stop making our lives more difficult, and you might find out you'll sell more.

The move is designed to benefit artists who want to harness social media to promote their new music and re-ignite excitement around the release of new music as well as reducing the possibility for an album to be pirated in the gap between international release dates.

Global release day set for Friday, July 10

The first date the global release day for new music will come into play is on Friday, July 10.

The news was confirmed to Music Week last night by sources, who said the IFPI have had the date secured for a while.

In February, IFPI confirmed that the change would come into effect in 'summer 2015'.

Last week it was announced that the Official Chart on Radio 1 will be moved to Fridays from July, suggesting that was the month the synchronised release date for new music would come into play too.

The move will bring all territories in line with Australia and Germany, amongst others, but would mean big changes in other countries including the UK and the US.

It's been met with a mixed reaction from the industry, with [PIAS] co-founder Michel Lambot recently expressing concern about what it could mean for development and local artists.

"If a global chart reigns supreme, development artists and local artists will have to get used to hearing the voice of America, everywhere. Big money, big global campaigns, will dominate," he said in a blog post.

"This can only help the blockbusters become even bigger, for a longer period of time, in more markets."

However, retailers, the artist community, digital services and distributors have welcomed the move, hailing it a logical change in today's globalised world.