Radiohead has tried out a novel approach to producing and distributing music in the Internet age. As I understand it, the jury is still out on whether or not their payday will ultimately be as impressive as if they had published their new album through a standard label. At least the way they have done it saves them from losing out huge portions of revenues to publicity and distribution costs (and the music industry is none too pleased about losing a cut). These they have gotten for free. And I understand that on average they are getting about five pounds per download.
Radiohead's unconventional approach fits the stereotype of their slightly hipster-tending fan base. It seems to me, though, that this model might work for them strictly because it's a novelty. I doubt that the next band to try this out will receive the same positive publicity, or the same largesse from loyal fans. My skepticism stems from the failure of the model for Stephen King, who abandoned his online distribution scheme when it failed to bring in sufficient donations.
Now there is an independent film that appears to have found success via publicity on sites linking to illegal downloads of the film ("The Man From Earth"). Again, I feel like this is working because it's the first of a phenomenon. I don't think it'll catch on, but I could be wrong.
I know DRH has looked into this a lot more than I have. What do you think the actual potential is for this to be a successful method of distributing arts media?
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I think this could work if the idea is revised a bit. The marginal cost of downloads are so low for musicians that it might be in their interest to price at or above MC and then ask for a little benevolence from their fans. Over time I think you would see fan generosity approach zero, but you could gradually inflate price as a response and in the meantime exploit people's charity. Of course, other musicians won't benefit from the same publicity...so, kudos Radiohead.
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