Ghosts did $1.62 million in direct online sales in its first week, with five versions offered, including free.
For established acts on line seems like the way to go.
Record labels will have to be more artist friendly to established artists.
However, new acts may find clauses to prevent or to take proceeds from them should they leave, after a record company has built them up.
Walmart is trying to squeeze the labels to lower their list prices. The labels are crying it hurts their margins, and ability to nuture new acts.
Walmart has been able to wield their power in other categories. Vlasic pickles was bankrupted three times trying to meet Walmart's demands.
Labels need to be run by smaller and tighter. Labels as we know them may have their greatest value as distributors.
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