Apple and Live Nation debut iTunes live music program
Apple has teamed up with concert promoter Live Nation to launch a new live music program that offers exclusive recorded and filmed concerts, both companies announced Tuesday.
The new content stems from Live Nation's network of "wired" venues that have exclusive recordings from artists like Ziggy Marley, OK Go, Hillary Duff, Plain White T's, and Duffy. The content is featured on a new iTunes page entitled "Live Nation Presents."
"In the past few years, Live Nation has put on some of the best concerts and tours around, producing over 22,000 live events annually while working with some of the top artists in the world and managing some of the best known venues," the page reads. "Now you can get amazing concert recordings from Live Nation venues and tours, on iTunes. Below you'll find live sets from an eclectic array of artists captured from their live shows around the world."
The Live Nation Studios division records concerts in more than 80 venues that have been dubbed "next-generation wired live recording studios." Live Nation said the program extends the live concert experience well beyond the show itself, giving customers exclusive content and offering touring artists another opportunity to offer audio and video content directly to their fans.
"We are thrilled to offer artists a new high-quality platform to share the magic of their live shows with their fans," said Michael Rapino, president and chief executive of Live Nation.
Apple's iTunes is the No. 1 seller of music in the U.S., with a 25 percent market share estimated this summer. That's well ahead of the second-place seller of music, Walmart, which has 14 percent. Digital music downloads make up 35 percent of total sales, and iTunes represents 69 percent of the download market. In second place is Amazon, which sells 8 percent of online music.
Live Nation produces over 22,000 concerts each year, for 1,600 different artists performing in 33 countries across the world. The company sold over 50 million concert tickets in 2008.
Apple this year has expanded its music lineup to provide more variety for customers. In July, the service introduced a throwback to the old two-song 45rpm vinyl record with the iTunes D45. And in September, iTunes LP was unveiled, packaging bonus content with sales of whole albums.
The new content stems from Live Nation's network of "wired" venues that have exclusive recordings from artists like Ziggy Marley, OK Go, Hillary Duff, Plain White T's, and Duffy. The content is featured on a new iTunes page entitled "Live Nation Presents."
"In the past few years, Live Nation has put on some of the best concerts and tours around, producing over 22,000 live events annually while working with some of the top artists in the world and managing some of the best known venues," the page reads. "Now you can get amazing concert recordings from Live Nation venues and tours, on iTunes. Below you'll find live sets from an eclectic array of artists captured from their live shows around the world."
The Live Nation Studios division records concerts in more than 80 venues that have been dubbed "next-generation wired live recording studios." Live Nation said the program extends the live concert experience well beyond the show itself, giving customers exclusive content and offering touring artists another opportunity to offer audio and video content directly to their fans.
"We are thrilled to offer artists a new high-quality platform to share the magic of their live shows with their fans," said Michael Rapino, president and chief executive of Live Nation.
Apple's iTunes is the No. 1 seller of music in the U.S., with a 25 percent market share estimated this summer. That's well ahead of the second-place seller of music, Walmart, which has 14 percent. Digital music downloads make up 35 percent of total sales, and iTunes represents 69 percent of the download market. In second place is Amazon, which sells 8 percent of online music.
Live Nation produces over 22,000 concerts each year, for 1,600 different artists performing in 33 countries across the world. The company sold over 50 million concert tickets in 2008.
Apple this year has expanded its music lineup to provide more variety for customers. In July, the service introduced a throwback to the old two-song 45rpm vinyl record with the iTunes D45. And in September, iTunes LP was unveiled, packaging bonus content with sales of whole albums.
Comments
The consumer is tapped out, the party is over.
Good and all, but Apple really needs to focus on producing products that create industry, jobs and saves money.
The consumer is tapped out, the party is over.
Huh? What world are you living in?
Apple has been skipping about to a cheerful beat through this recession.
Are you suggesting that because ventures like this have been impacted by a reduction in consumer spending that Apple, for some reason, shouldn't participate in them at all?
Huh? What world are you living in?
Apple has been skipping about to a cheerful beat through this recession.
A delusional one soon to be shattered with poor holiday sales vs last year.
Are you suggesting that because ventures like this have been impacted by a reduction in consumer spending that Apple, for some reason, shouldn't participate in them at all?
No, but Apple should focus more of it's attention on markets where it's products are needed and not just wanted.
I don't see that and the consumer is hurting, and thus so will Apple.
But being Californians, home of the sub-prime mess, I guess it's normal for them to ignore reality and party down with the ship instead of getting in the lifeboats.
A delusional one soon to be shattered with poor holiday sales vs last year.
If you really believe that, you should put your money where your mouth is, and short the market (or at least, AAPL).
Oh, wait......
A delusional one soon to be shattered with poor holiday sales vs last year.
Apple will likely post record holiday quarter sales. Just as they've been outperforming their competition prior to the holiday season, they'll outperform their competition during the holiday season. They've got a track record of conservative estimates as well, and they're expecting an excellent holiday season.
Now, I expect you'll be correct about the holiday season as a whole, as do most businesses and economists, but there are companies which have demonstrated their ability to perform quite admirably in this market.
No, but Apple should focus more of it's attention on markets where it's products are needed and not just wanted.
I don't see that and the consumer is hurting, and thus so will Apple.
But being Californians, home of the sub-prime mess, I guess it's normal for them to ignore reality and party down with the ship instead of getting in the lifeboats.
It is smart for a company like Apple to continue innovating, researching, developing and progressing during a recession. Too many companies cut back on staff, expenses, and R&D to keep afloat, or to keep shareholders happy, and they pay for it in the long run. Apple has maintained solid profits through the recession and not only do they have no reason to cut back to this sort of extent, it would be a terrible mistake for them to sacrifice any of the lead they have with their products and services. Neglecting progression in the digital distribution would be an example of this.
Apple doesn't manufacture many necessities. They're a premium brand and this reflects in may of their products. They thrive on selling products people want.
Maybe you've got some basis for your conclusions, but I just don't see it. This recession has been going on for a while now--it isn't something retailers are just now beginning to experience--and the California example is also strange. You're talking about a debt-free company with an insane amount of money available in the bank.
Good and all, but Apple really needs to focus on producing products that create industry, jobs and saves money.
The consumer is tapped out, the party is over.
Another AI thread instantly derailed by another stupendously clueless, grammatically challenged, and completely off-topic bit of verbal diarrhea.
Good to see things haven't changed around here.
If you look historically at companies that develop and progress during a recession (or depression) those that truly keep up the pace become hugely successful after the economy returns to normal (or a new relative normal).
Ticket to concert: $18
Facility Fee: $14
Online ticket purchasing fee: $15
Printable PDF emailed to you fee: $10
Livenation Express ticket ordering fee: $26
Livenation consumer usage fee: $8
Livenation we hate you fee: $18
Livenation we have a monopoly because we are Ticketmaser rebranded... so fuck you fee: $37
Only at Live Nation does an $18 concert ticket turn into a trip to the bank for financing options.
If you really believe that, you should put your money where your mouth is, and short the market (or at least, AAPL).
Oh, wait......
Short the quarter that occurs after the end of the holiday quarter, before earnings naturally, they won't be good.
This holiday quarter might not even be good for Apple, as netbook sales are the new toy to have, and they are cheap to boot. Apple has no answer for a netbook and certainly has no new must have toy this year.
I once bought tickets to a show using Live Nation. It went a little like this.
Ticket to concert: $18
Facility Fee: $14
Online ticket purchasing fee: $15
Printable PDF emailed to you fee: $10
Livenation Express ticket ordering fee: $26
Livenation consumer usage fee: $8
Livenation we hate you fee: $18
Livenation we have a monopoly because we are Ticketmaser rebranded... so fuck you fee: $37
Only at Live Nation does an $18 concert ticket turn into a trip to the bank for financing options.
Reminds me of what the telcos do to us. Apple would never partner with someone like that!
Apple will likely post record holiday quarter sales. Just as they've been outperforming their competition prior to the holiday season, they'll outperform their competition during the holiday season. They've got a track record of conservative estimates as well, and they're expecting an excellent holiday season.
Now, I expect you'll be correct about the holiday season as a whole, as do most businesses and economists, but there are companies which have demonstrated their ability to perform quite admirably in this market.
Apple will twist things as usual and just lower their expectations, so even if it's down from last year, they will say its up more than they expected.
It is smart for a company like Apple to continue innovating, researching, developing and progressing during a recession. Too many companies cut back on staff, expenses, and R&D to keep afloat, or to keep shareholders happy, and they pay for it in the long run. Apple has maintained solid profits through the recession and not only do they have no reason to cut back to this sort of extent, it would be a terrible mistake for them to sacrifice any of the lead they have with their products and services. Neglecting progression in the digital distribution would be an example of this.
Apple doesn't manufacture many necessities. They're a premium brand and this reflects in may of their products. They thrive on selling products people want.
Maybe you've got some basis for your conclusions, but I just don't see it. This recession has been going on for a while now--it isn't something retailers are just now beginning to experience--and the California example is also strange. You're talking about a debt-free company with an insane amount of money available in the bank.
The money Apple made was good timing, the credit bubble economy, where the consumer was flush with cash.
But things are different now, consumers are not buying what they want too much, rather what they need.
Apple Computer at one time did make things people needed, better processors and desktop publishing were bought by the business world to solve a need and save money. But Apple is now chasing the consumer market and the consumer in general is hurting and anything flashy or expensive is avoided like the plague.
There is going to be a shift, this post real estate bubble recession, the poor are going to get poorer, the middle class is going to become poor and the wealthy are going to get wealthier.
The government has bailed out their socialized sub-prime real estate mistake with borrowed money from China and is looking at ways to pay that money back, by taking over health care and taxing everyone's paycheck 20% and soaking the wealthy, who already are moving their money out of certain high tax states like New York and overseas.
What is that 20% health care tax going to do to sales of products from Apple in the US? Kill it good right?
Also inflation is coming, it's going to rear it's ugly head come the new year as we are at about 0% now and rising and inventories are down. I expect prices to increase 6% across the board to adjust to the increased inflation expectations coming during next year.
This will further erode the US consumers available spending cash for products from Apple.
However if Apple made devices and products that appealed to the business customers, to save them money or time and effort, then sales could increase.
For instance, some hospitals are using iPod Touches, VOIP and software to monitor patients, this is a avenue of exploration that Apple should pursue.
At one time Apple catered to the needs of business, it's time for them to do it again.
I have too many friends, acquaintances and even enemies that are planing on buying a mac in the next 2 months, apple will do just fine.
If you look historically at companies that develop and progress during a recession (or depression) those that truly keep up the pace become hugely successful after the economy returns to normal (or a new relative normal).
The rich consumer niche is just that, a niche.
The broader and much larger business market can sign off 10,000 iPhones or Mac's with just one signature.
Dell has been on Intel welfare and HP makes some of the crappiest computers availble, Windows 7 still is susceptible to malware and requires anti-virus running.
The mindset of chasing the rich consumer is failed now, because the consumer in general is broke.
But business is always looking at ways to do things faster and cheaper, especially in these tough times.
I once bought tickets to a show using Live Nation. It went a little like this.
Ticket to concert: $18
Facility Fee: $14
Online ticket purchasing fee: $15
Printable PDF emailed to you fee: $10
Livenation Express ticket ordering fee: $26
Livenation consumer usage fee: $8
Livenation we hate you fee: $18
Livenation we have a monopoly because we are Ticketmaser rebranded... so fuck you fee: $37
Only at Live Nation does an $18 concert ticket turn into a trip to the bank for financing options.
Speaking of which, when will Apple finally introduce iTunes Store kiosks everywhere across America? If they established their own WiFi points, plus an ability to print out concert tickets, movie tickets (heck, how about airplane tickets?!) on demand, Apple would crush it! Also would be nice if you could hook up your iPhone, touch or nano, access your account (or pop in an iTunes gift card, or credit card) and download movies and music...
Hello... Steve? Are you listening?
..... the credit bubble economy, where the consumer was flush with cash.......
But things are different now, consumers are not buying what they want too much, rather what they need..... consumer market and the consumer in general is hurting and anything flashy or expensive is avoided like the plague.
There is going to be a shift, this post real estate bubble recession, the poor are going to get poorer, the middle class is going to become poor and the wealthy are going to get wealthier.
.... taking over health care and taxing everyone's paycheck 20% and soaking the wealthy, who already are moving their money out of certain high tax states .... inflation is coming,.... and inventories are down. I expect prices to increase 6% across the board to adjust to the increased inflation expectations coming during next year.
This will further erode the US consumers available spending cash for products from Apple.
Wow, you're a macroeconomic forecaster too!?
Apple is DOOMED!!!!!!!
Good and all, but Apple really needs to...
Welcome to my ignore list.
Apple will twist things as usual and just lower their expectations, so even if it's down from last year, they will say its up more than they expected.
Uh... you do know these numbers and statements are public, right?
And that they're already available?
Unless you understand the stock market it might be best not to talk about it...
The money Apple made was good timing, the credit bubble economy, where the consumer was flush with cash.
But things are different now, consumers are not buying what they want too much, rather what they need.
People are buying Apple products.
These numbers have been public for some time, too...
Apple Computer at one time did make things people needed, better processors and desktop publishing were bought by the business world to solve a need and save money. But Apple is now chasing the consumer market and the consumer in general is hurting and anything flashy or expensive is avoided like the plague.
There is going to be a shift, this post real estate bubble recession, the poor are going to get poorer, the middle class is going to become poor and the wealthy are going to get wealthier.
Except consumers are buying quality products. There's a lot of hurting taking place in the low-end product market, but sales for high-quality sought-after products such as those produced by Apple remain strong. Additionally, our economy has been stabilizing. (Granted, we're definitely not in the clear, and some causes behind this recession haven't been addressed, but I'll leave that to people who actually read about the subjects they discuss). It is no longer in the downward-spiraling free-fall we experienced earlier. Should I bother to point out that these numbers are public as well?
The government has bailed out their socialized sub-prime real estate mistake with borrowed money from China and is looking at ways to pay that money back, by taking over health care and taxing everyone's paycheck 20% and soaking the wealthy, who already are moving their money out of certain high tax states like New York and overseas.
Brainwashed political hyperbole. If you want someone to take you seriously you're going to need to express yourself sincerely. If you just feel like repeating whatever you hear from a fringe group or personality, don't expect people to take you seriously, and don't expect to actually learn anything of real-world value.
Carefully hidden within the drivel above there are actually issues and topics of discussion, but to even reply to them under the ridiculous presentation you've just given them would be to lend credence to it... I'm not even going to bother.
Go buy some guns, ammunition, and gas. You'll need it in your Mad Max future.
What is that 20% health care tax going to do to sales of products from Apple in the US? Kill it good right?
Do you read what you write?
Also inflation is coming, it's going to rear it's ugly head come the new year as we are at about 0% now and rising and inventories are down. I expect prices to increase 6% across the board to adjust to the increased inflation expectations coming during next year.
This will further erode the US consumers available spending cash for products from Apple.
Or deflation, depending on how the government handles it.
Go buy some gold too. It will help in the future you've envisioned.
I hear it's going to hit $10,000 an ounce!
However if Apple made devices and products that appealed to the business customers, to save them money or time and effort, then sales could increase.
For instance, some hospitals are using iPod Touches, VOIP and software to monitor patients, this is a avenue of exploration that Apple should pursue.
At one time Apple catered to the needs of business, it's time for them to do it again.
Heh, or maybe I'm just an idiot. Steve Jobs is obviously making a bunch of mistakes. Good thing he's got such an excellent armchair CEO such as you to draw knowledge from. I'm sure they'll be contacting you any moment for information on how they can keep Apple profitable, and perhaps they'll even offer you an excellent job.
Not going to bother responding to you again. It is clear you have no real understanding of our economy and the history behind our economic declines, let alone a sincere understanding of what caused this recession, where we're at inside it, and what it means for our future.
Short the quarter that occurs after the end of the holiday quarter, before earnings naturally, they won't be good.
This holiday quarter might not even be good for Apple, as netbook sales are the new toy to have, and they are cheap to boot. Apple has no answer for a netbook and certainly has no new must have toy this year.
Hopefully you'll come back and post after Apple releases its holiday quarter financial results, and remind us of your predictions.
But no, that wouldn't be like you. You'll just move on and make some other nonsensical statement.