International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry (IFPI) announced today that Friday has been chosen as the official global release day for albums.
IFPI issued a statement that addresses the demand of consumers and an overall objective for the change in the global release day. In the IFPI statement it suggests that, “an aligned global release day puts an end to the frustration of not being able to access releases in their[the consumers] country when the music is available in another country.”
It goes on to say how a new global release day can help revitalize the musical audience into being excited about forthcoming releases everywhere, thus expanding the reach of the music in all territories. 7 out of 10 consumers preferred new releases on Friday or Saturday, and statistics show that activity in stores and online is greater these days. Additionally, the IFPI predicts that the new global release day will reduce illegal downloading and piracy.
The IFPI states that, “the global release day narrows the gap on piracy by making it less likely that consumers will go to pirate sites when they can’t get new releases in their country. This will help channel revenues back to the legitimate rights owners”
There are initial concerns and opposition presented from other perspectives. Chairman of Beggars Group, Martin Mills voiced the fear that “this move will also lead to a market in which the mainstream dominates, and the niche, which can be tomorrow’s mainstream, is further marginalized.” He goes on to suggest that the intention of the new global release day is to just that.
That being said, the decision stands, and Friday is the official day for global releases. We’ll be curious to see the results of the change.
Source: International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry
Photo: Amoeba Records Hollywood
