I work for one of the four "Majors" and I can assure you Hype still does go on.

The OCC ways of "spotting" download hype only work when the buyers are amateur and stupid; we long ago sussed how to bypass their examination.

And the physical buy outs also go on; just more subtly and, as you've rightly guessed, at far less expense.

OK the results are less but the papers - especially tabloids - still fall for it, which benefits the "pretty" acts and the "credible" ones.

Oh Yes; it's as bad as it ever was.

And that, is a very depressing post indeed.

This would explain why a friend of mine was congratulated on his act's high chart position before it was even released.
I think the call list had accidently shuffled itself. How embarrassing.

nm

It is indeed Al, and I personally have no problem with hype and success. What I don`t like about what appears to be emerging in this thread, is the apparent devalueing of the chart. As a kid I dreamed about chart placings, and I hope that kids these days do as well, but without TOTP, with the, what is becoming obvious strikeforcing by the majors, the dream is over.
I for one want the charts to matter, does anyone really want their acts or favourite bands to get a high chart position and be left with a cold feeling and a bad after-taste?
If the post by Mr Anonymous is correct, this shows how money is not being spent on developement anymore, which is bad.
It also shows that the "throw it at the wall and see if sticks " theory is over as well.
I challenge somebody to answer this question...
Are you being asked to throw an act at the wall, and make it stick at whatever cost?