With no physical release now needed (from Jan 2007) a digital only release now qualifies for a chart placing.

This could lead to an explosion of "test releases" which could see some tracks make progress which would never have got label backing if the added cost of a physical release were also needed.

Obviously it will also mean an awful lot of dross gets "released" too !

On the whole I'm in favour .... it opens up the doors a little for wannabes to have a go (but before they get too excited, remember that it's STILL all down to promotion ! It doesn;t matter how many tracks you "release" if no one ever hears them, then no one ever buys them !)

There is good reason to be excited for independents everywhere. OK you are right many half baked songs 'might' get released but promotion is now affordable for everyone who planned to release a physical CD. Hiring a decent PR and plugger is within the range of most budgets. Not to mention the internet only marketing strategy that can work wonders with the right track.

I have no reason to worry about all the crap releases. Manager man because there is a simple process to releasing and marketing a digital single. You start online and with a combination of genuine hits and listens and of course ones you pay for. You can spend relatively peanuts to kick off a campaign online as long as you have a great track in the first place.

Once you have achieved that then you can approach PR, pluggers etc to work it to radio and if you have a system of monetising your promotion you will have the available funds to do this.
This is the best time since dance music exploded in the early 90s.

Make music, make great music, make hits and independents will flood the market again. JK ! I know you must be very happy.

From Australia:

OCC confirms chart changes
Source: Music week


The OCC has confirmed that proposed changes to the singles chart will take effect from January 1.

As a result, all downloads will count towards the chart from the moment of release and will no longer be ruled ineligible two weeks after the deletion of a physical format.

In addition, all digital downloads will be eligible for a chart position, regardless of whether they are intended as singles or not.

Rules for physical product remain largely unchanged, although the amount of tracks on a chart-eligible maxi single increases from three to four (plus remixes of those tracks), and the maximum playing time will be extended to 25 minutes from 20.

In September, the Entertainment Retailers Association dropped its opposition to allowing all downloads to count towards the chart, paving the way for the changes to the rules.