MusicNet announced today the launch of its technology platform, which is being delivered to distribution partners, AOL and RealNetworks, for incorporation into their systems for future consumer offerings. MusicNet is providing the entire technology platform and music content from label partners BMG, EMI, Warner Music Group and Zomba to its distribution partners. MusicNet’s technology platform, developed over the past year by the MusicNet team with support from RealNetworks, will offer both streaming and downloading of content and includes secure, end-to-end digital rights management functionality enabled by RealSystem Media Commerce Suite. The infrastructure also includes proprietary security features, peer-to-peer file sharing,… Read more »
French-American media giant Vivendi Universal confirmed on Tuesday its profit and sales targets for this year and said it was well positioned for additional growth despite the uncertain economic environment. The company issued its bullish outlook as it reported that net profit dwindled to a meager 22 million euros ($20.3 million), weighed down by goodwill from its Seagram merger, provisions and losses at companies in which it holds stakes. The company’s outlook compared favorably with those of its top competitors, several of which have issued profit warnings in recent days. Media firms, particularly those exposed to the tumbling advertising market,… Read more »
RealNetworks ®, Inc. and a host of industry leaders today announced the eXtensible Media Commerce Language (XMCL) initiative, an open XML-based language designed to establish industry-wide standards for Internet media commerce. By standardizing the language for business rules, XMCL will enable content to be played in a way that is independent of codecs, digital rights management systems, and e-commerce systems. XMCL will greatly simplify deployment and accelerate the market for digital media commerce over the Internet. RealNetworks intends to submit the XMCL proposal to the appropriate standards organization, and will work with other industry leaders to ensure the initiative evolves… Read more »
Continuing its mission of bringing music fans closer to the artists they love, global music media company GetMusic kicks off a stellar summer of unique programming, live events and interactive content with extensive coverage of the two-day KIIS-FM Wango Tango music festival in Los Angeles this weekend. In addition to interviewing artists for the site, GetMusic will be the exclusive sponsor of the event’s autograph-signing tent for fans on both Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17. Some of today’s most popular artists are scheduled to stop by, including Dream, Eden’s Crush, Samantha Mumba, 3LW and Nikka Costa. On Monday,… Read more »
Launch announced that it will eliminate approximately 60 positions, reducing its staff levels to a total of 175 while consolidating its Santa Monica operations into one facility. Additionally, the company discontinued its European expansion plans. The company reported that net revenues for the first quarter of 2001 were $3.8 million, compared to $6.4 million for the same quarter last year. According to a company announcement, 70 percent of revenues were from advertising and 30 percent from content licensing. Launch also announced today that it has signed a non-binding term sheet providing for $5 million in a secured convertible note financing.… Read more »
The Crowes and Oasis don’t plan on merging into a bluesy Brit-pop supergroup anytime soon, but the two bands will definitely jam onstage together on their joint Tour of Brotherly Love, Gallagher promises. “It’d be rude not to, wouldn’t it,” Gallagher said Wednesday from his manager’s office in London. “I have no doubts in my mind that there’s gonna be various people on stage at various points – as for what we’re gonna do, I don’t know.” The songwriter/guitarist/vocalist said that his top three choices of cover songs to play with the Crowes would be Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,”… Read more »
MeasureCast announced that it has secured $3 million in phase one of its second round of financing, led by Seattle-based FBR CoMotion Venture Capital. The company, which offers next-day audience measurement reporting and provides the radio industry with weekly charts and the MeasureCast Internet Radio Index, plans to use the cash for product and business development, customer support, as well as sales and marketing efforts. MeasureCast raised $3.5 million in its first round of funding in April 2000 from FBR CoMotion and individual investors. “This latest cash infusion is further proof that the MeasureCast Streaming Audience Measurement Service, and its… Read more »
This song will self destruct in exactly five spins. There have been further developments from the digital rights management (DRM) front. Liquid Audio has been granted a patent for a new watermarking technology that enables rights holders to limit the use of digital content. The U.S. Patent Office yesterday awarded the company a full patent for watermarking technique, which Liquid Audio engineers invented in 1998. According to the company, the technology enables content owners to protect their music for digital delivery without sacrificing audio quality. Liquid Audio’s new watermarking technology allows content providers to define permission parameters for the use… Read more »
Today we talk about the life of Gilbert Gottfried, a new Harlem Festival of Culture, and an update on the subway attack in Brooklyn. Remembering Gilbert Gottfried We lost a great comedian and perhaps one of the most distinguishable voices in the entertainment industry yesterday. Gilbert Gottfried died at 67 after battling type II myotonic dystrophy for a long time. This is a type of muscular dystrophy that is rare and has no cure. The disease led to heart problems that ultimately took his life. His family posted the announcement on their socials saying, “We are heartbroken to announce the… Read more »
By now, it is common knowledge that rock music and horror movies have enjoyed a long-term symbiotic relationship. The rough edges and grizzly gore in the horror genre benefit from the visceral, emotive breakdowns that heavy music provides. The two genres share overlapping audiences who love to celebrate their union. Throughout the years, we’ve seen an array of iconic movie soundtracks that feature some of rock’s most celebrated musicians. Here are eight undeniable standout soundtracks to add to your watchlist and playlist this Halloween season. The Crow The Crow has become synonymous with gothic style, music, and culture—and for good… Read more »
