Industry Sets Friday as Global Record Release Day

March 6

	Starting this summer, the new music will be released on same day of the week worldwide. The music industry has decided to streamline the process by making Friday the global release day for new records. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPA) posted on their website: “Release days currently vary from one country to another, causing frustration for consumers when music fans in other parts of the world can access new releases before them. As well as helping music fans, the move will benefit artists who want to harness social media to promote their new music. It also creates the opportunity to reignite excitement and a sense of occasion around the release of new music.” They believe it will have an added benefit: “The move to an aligned global release day will also reduce the risk of piracy by narrowing the gap between release days in different countries.” However, some powerful voices have been opposed to the change. Beggars Group chairman Martin Mills said: "I fear this move will also lead to a market in which the mainstream dominates, and the niche, which can be tomorrow's mainstream, is further marginalized. I fear it will further cement the dominance of the few - and that is exactly what it is intended to do." The Department of Record Stores, an affiliation of independent record stores in the U.S. and Canada - had proposed the world adopt the current U.S. release day, Tuesday, arguing that easing the transition for the top two music markets in the world (North America and the U.K.) would save costs for smaller operators in the business. Regardless of the opposition, Friday it is. The switch is expected to begin this summer, with new records going on sale one minute after midnight on the day of release. Sources: http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/new-music-to-be-released-on-fridays-worldwide-from-this-summer http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6487289/friday-global-record-release-day-ifpi