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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 »

American songwriters and music publishers have reached preliminary agreement with the on-line file sharing service Napster to settle the class-action lawsuit currently pending in federal court in California. The agreement includes terms under which the songwriters and music publishers will license their music to Napster’s new membership-based service. The announcement of the proposed settlement was made jointly by Edward P. Murphy, president and CEO of the National Music Publishers’ Association, Inc., Gary L. Churgin, president and CEO of The Harry Fox Agency, Inc., George David Weiss, president of The Songwriters’ Guild of America, Inc., and Napster president and CEO Konrad… Read more »

Rock troubadour Bruce Springsteen sang the prescient “My City of Ruins” and pop diva Mariah Carey gave a comeback performance of “Hero” during an internationally televised pledge drive on Friday benefiting victims of the Sept. 11 attacks on America. The unprecedented, commercial-free show, dubbed “America: A Tribute to Heroes” and simulcast live from candle-lit studios in Los Angeles and New York, was carried on at least 31 U.S. broadcast and cable networks and beamed to 156 countries around the globe. Dozens of stars from the movie, television and music industries took part in the emotional but subdued event, providing entertainment… Read more »

Brooklyn-born rapper Jay-Z’s latest LP, “Blueprint,” led a torrent of new releases at the top of the album charts this week as America’s record buyers continued to shop despite Sept. 11’s terrorist attacks. The Island/Def Jam release flew off shelves last week, shifting nearly 427,000 units, according to data compiled by SoundScan. Sales of “Blueprint” were powered by the near-ubiquity of its first single, “H.O.V.A. (Izzo),” on both urban radio and music television. Island/Def Jam’s chart dominance continued in the latest session with Nickelback’s “Silver Side Up,” which came in at No. 2 with 178,000 copies sold. “Silver Side Up”… Read more »

What started out as a music industry buzz that piqued interest and inspired discovery has now blossomed into the most extraordinary debut of the year. This week, R&B soul prodigy Alicia Keys – who debuted at #1 on the Billboard Album chart with her self-penned Songs in A Minor – has been certified TRIPLE PLATINUM by the RIAA. This remarkable feat comes only three months after the release of the album, which – still at #2 on the Top 200 album chart – has been both a best seller and a critic’s favorite. Alicia Keys’ success is propelled by her… Read more »

Clear Channel has identified 150 songs that are considered to be “lyrically inappropriate” for airplay in the wake of the terror attacks carried out in the U.S. on Tuesday, September 11. A Clear Channel spokesperson has confirmed that the list has been circulated among its stations across the country. The lyrical content targeted by the list includes any references to death, flying, September, or general destruction. The popular (and highly political) band Rage Against The Machine received the dubious honor of having their entire catalogue on the list. Pam Taylor, a spokesperson for Clear Channel stations in the San Francisco… Read more »

Stations to end tragic week marred by the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center with moment of silence, airing of “Taps.” At noon Eastern time Friday, September 14th, all Clear Channel Washington, Baltimore, Frederick, and Winchester radio stations will join all Infinity, Bonneville, Radio One, and Disney stations with a special tribute to those who died in terrorist attacks in Washington, D.C. and New York. This will commence with a moment of silence followed on most stations by the military bugle salute to the fallen, “Taps” a song that captures the emotions this tragedy. This moment will… Read more »

Since Bob Dylan’s Grammy-winning album “Time Out of Mind” was released four years ago, the 60-year-old rock master has played 460 live shows, soaking up the cheers from crowds around the world. He feeds off his Never Ending Tour, dancing, grinning, cracking jokes, engaging in guitar duels with his band, then standing at solemn attention, his suit coat soaked with sweat, bending in a deep bow before leaving the stage. In the spring he went into the studio to give some of the energy back, and the result is “Love and Theft,” an album already hailed as one of the… Read more »

The 18th annual MTV Video Music Awards delivered its second largest audience on Thursday, and ranked as the most-watched program on cable since January. According to Nielsen Media Research, Thursday’s show averaged 10.76 million viewers, up 9% from last year but down 10% from the record-setting pace of 1999 (11.94 million). MTV was Thursday’s most-watched primetime network, averaging about 1 million viewers more than runner-up ABC (9.80m). The huge turnout also makes the kudocast the most-watched cable program since the TNT Western “Crossfire Trail” on Jan. 21. Even with Viacom sister network UPN taking wrestling’s “WWF Smackdown!” off Thursday’s schedule… Read more »

Hailing from Houston, TX, Destiny’s Child is one of the best-selling female groups of all time. They have sold more than 21 million albums and singles worldwide. Now, Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle – a.k.a. Destiny’s Child – are about to top girls’ toy wish lists everywhere, with the introduction of Destiny’s Child dolls from Hasbro Inc.. Today, they gave an in-person sneak peak of their likenesses at Hasbro’s New York showroom. Each Destiny’s Child doll will cost approximately $12.99, and will be available at retailers nationwide this fall. The doll launch marks the next step in Hasbro’s association with Destiny’s… Read more »