Here’s an elevator pitch for cash/idea-strapped music video channels, courtesy of the blogosphere: “You know what would be amazing? If say, MTV or VH1, or Fuse partnered with iTunes to make ‘albums’ of their Top 10/20/50 countdowns. The weekly ones and the ones that are themed (like, Most Influential Songs of the 90’s or whatever). Then you could buy the countdowns (videos, or audio) like you would albums.” I also like the idea of doing this in reverse, with one of those channels giving up a chunk of time to a show that counts down iTunes’ top albums, or even music videos. Hey, it’s at least a little more legit than VH1′s street-team-abused Top 20 show, right? (Yes, that’s still on! I know!) [mover&shaker]
How does the money get split between Viacom, Apple, and the record cos?
@janinedm: i would guess that viacom could work out the show so that it was some sort of ad for itunes (a la itunes’ sponsorship of american idol); apple and the record companies would get their customary cuts of sales. no?
I think Idol licenses the song, but not the recording. They own the recordings of the Idols singing. So the songwriter (or whoever owns the tunes themselves, 10 years ago I would have said Michael Jackson) got cut in by Idol, and the record co. may or may not get anything out of it. But if you’re using the recorded track by the original artist, many record cos might be involved. I think that it would be difficult to do for that reason. Despite the fact that the record companies would have the most to gain from such an arrangement, their disparate point of views/demands would make it such a hassle it would not be worth it to VH1 or Viacom. Look at Rock Band and WMG. Multiply that hassle times 52 and then add the seasonal 50 Awesomely Bad Songs-type lists.
The irony of the “street-team-abused” Vh1 Top 20 countdown is that only the street teamers who put so much hard work into voting actually watch the show.
@2ironic4u: well, there are also people who are really hung over, and customers of that bagel store on bedford ave.
Couldn’t this be done like making an iMix?
@Maura: lolol
@2ironic4u:
Right. But I still don’t see how they don’t get tired of votinf for Leona Lewis/Jason Mraz/Rob Thomas/Norah Jones/U2 videos again, and again, and again. Not hating on any of those artists, just saying. (God I hate that damn countdown, even if I stunt for some of the songs are artists in that block)
The block of 20 songs for the countdown that is.