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Re: Re: Just a thought

Originally posted by jimjiminyjim
That would be an impressive feat. It would be (yes, this is apple...) completely unprecedented. The work that's been done however makes it a possibility.

Wow. Not to underestimate the value of what apple has done for their home country, but this thought made me realize the enormity of such a project. Huh. iTunes World!! This is all very interesting.

It would be big for Apple to pull this off although will a lot of their decisions lately such as the deal with HP and the success of iTMS in the US and the success of the iPod as well as the initial decission by Steve to make iTunes for the PC market. All of these decisions point to a shift in the ideaology of Apple, possibly bought on by the marketing team...?? or a change of mind by Steve...who knows

But in order for AAC to become the accepted audio format on the web and to slow or stop internet piracy of CDs iTunes has to be spread around the globe and this could never happen through Apple alone. It can only happen by Apple partnering with a major PC supplier for the obvious reason that Apple only has between 2-5% of the world wide market for computers.

Of course while theyre at it they may as well sell a few more Apple computers to a few more PC owners and increase their customer base.

So all of recent moves and decisions by Apple would point to a April or there abouts release for the various International flavours of iTMS. Plus it is the Northern Spring in April which is when customer sales pick up after the winter hibernation period... hopefully

My 2 cents worth
 
Duff-Man says.....just to add to a previous post...I shop at a&b *a lot* and they almost always have the best prices and a decent selection (even here on the island)...they also sell on-line and ship anywhere....my only criticism is that they sometimes take a long time to get "special order" items.........oh yeah!
http://www.absound.ca/
 
Oh Canada, Oh Canada

Well this is good news. Cos once Apple gets itself sorted in Canada then it should be easier to get sorted in other parts of the world...

The big problem with music rights (like TV rights) is that they have to negotiated separately for every country so that means than Apple's legal team have to negotiate with EVERY country it wants to get ITMS into...

Talk about a crappy process but there you go.. in the arcane world of intellectual property rights one size done NOT fit all..

Clearly Apple have had their eye on getting iTunes developed for the PC and getting deals like HP and the new mini iPods done first....

Now we will see some action for us poor folk whose parents were selfish enough not to live in the US... :D :D :D
 
Pepsi promotion

The iTMS/Pepsi promotion is actually with Pepsi North America, which encompasses the US and Canada.

So my theory is that Canada will have it in time for that promotion ie Feb 1.
 
Re: Oh Canada, Oh Canada

Originally posted by fatbarstard
Well this is good news. Cos once Apple gets itself sorted in Canada then it should be easier to get sorted in other parts of the world...

The big problem with music rights (like TV rights) is that they have to negotiated separately for every country so that means than Apple's legal team have to negotiate with EVERY country it wants to get ITMS into...

Talk about a crappy process but there you go.. in the arcane world of intellectual property rights one size done NOT fit all..

Clearly Apple have had their eye on getting iTunes developed for the PC and getting deals like HP and the new mini iPods done first....

Now we will see some action for us poor folk whose parents were selfish enough not to live in the US... :D :D :D

I have it on good authority that Apple NZ are re doing their whole website since the current one is pretty out of date design wise and that the new version will include the iTMS for NZ and that will be due later this year probably after Australia gets their version of iTMS which sounds like it is only a few months away
 
Originally posted by MacsRgr8
Why would someone rate this as "negative"?.. 2 to date :confused:

Excuse me?

I haven't met a single Canadian without a computer, and I've been across 5 of the provinces! That's a very rash comment there!
 
Re: iTunes in Canada

Originally posted by dbasskin
Well, it's certainly nice to be noticed. Just a couple of clarifications:

First, CMRRA is a licensing agency, not an "association". I was on the phone to Apple the day of the IMS launch last April, seeking for a meeting to discuss licensing the service to do business in Canada. We regard IMS as one of the best-designed and most exciting online music distribution services ever created, and we'd be very excited to see it in the Canadian marketplace. At the time, Apple didn't want to meet with us. It's now clear that they were putting their efforts into the Windows version, and didn't want to expand to any further territories until they could do so on both the Mac and PC platforms, which seems to me to be a sound business decision.

We're looking forward to a rapid and mutually beneficial negotiation with Apple so that IMS can open in Canada as quickly as possible. Our company represents music publishers (and the songwriters they represent) and we will be licensing Apple in order to authorize them to make and sell reproductions of our clients' songs. Apple will make separate arrangements with the record labels for the use of their recordings. Once all the contracts are in place, I suspect that Apple will waste little time in opening IMS in Canada. Certainly it's full speed ahead as far as we're concerned.

If you have further questions on this subject, I invite you to visit our site and post a question in the "Ask Us A Question" section. You'll receive a prompt response.

David A. Basskin
President
CMRRA Ltd.
Toronto, Canada

Just so long as there are none of the assinine Canadian Content rules, I welcome iTunes to Canada. If we have to put up with the CanCon rules, allow Canadians to sign in to the US and tell them to go to hell.

We have had to endure CanCon rules in radio and TV for far to long. Americans would revolt if +40% of their content had to be the likes of Ann Murray and Gordon Lightfoot. Utter garbage to the point where most Canadians close to the border listen to US stations in their cars and through cable at home.
Canuck
 
What the smack??!!

Originally posted by Canuck
Just so long as there are none of the assinine Canadian Content rules, I welcome iTunes to Canada. If we have to put up with the CanCon rules, allow Canadians to sign in to the US and tell them to go to hell.

We have had to endure CanCon rules in radio and TV for far to long. Americans would revolt if +40% of their content had to be the likes of Ann Murray and Gordon Lightfoot. Utter garbage to the point where most Canadians close to the border listen to US stations in their cars and through cable at home.
Canuck


Excuse me, but Canadian content rules are there for a reason. It's to insure that canadian artists are given their fair share of play time in the face of radio compaines that would much rather fire their staion staff and repeat top 40 bull-s**t.

If you think that only Murray and Lightfoot constitute Canadian content then you should tune into a different station. Canadian artists are thriving the world over because of these rules.

If you're so anti-canadian when it comes to music you should shut your hole and move to the states. And as for your comment about people along the boarder listening to american radio stations, that's crap! I live in Vancouver and have the chance to take in Clearchannel's crap 24/7, but I don't, and neither does anyone I know.

Maybe one needs to have a pathetically low IQ like yours in order to tolerate Clear's crap.

BTW: Canadian content is regulated by the CRTC and not any artist or industry organizations.

EDIT: Typo
 
I agree

what Canuck said is complete garbage. While it is true that Canadian radio stations must play a certain percentage of Canadian content...i am certain that no one is twisting their arm to play the likes of Sarah McLaughlin, Bryan Adams, Bare Naked Ladies, Nickelback, Shania Twain....and a whole lot more...

...40%???.....Who are you...where do you get your facts.
 
Re: Re: Oh Canada, Oh Canada

Originally posted by winmacguy
I have it on good authority that Apple NZ are re doing their whole website since the current one is pretty out of date design wise and that the new version will include the iTMS for NZ and that will be due later this year probably after Australia gets their version of iTMS which sounds like it is only a few months away

Mmmm you know anything specific about Oz iTMS mate? or is still the vague guess / references / rumours I've heard which suggest first quarter of 2004?

Mmm we now at at least two online music download options here in Australia... and if Apple don't get a wriggle on they will miss the boat... mmmm all of those potential iPOD buyers out there that will buy a different brand!!

I think both other online download options - are only WMA files though?!??! (yuck!)

My fingers are staying crossed for a local iTMS... and soon!
 
ITMS Norway?

There is a lot of press, rumors and information flying around in my country nowadays that indicates ITMS is coming! And it is coming soon.

Actually record-company excecutives are quoted as saying things like "we will like this to come as soon as possible" and "I think norwegians will be able to use iTunes to buy online music before spring is well underway". Spring here is usually late March to mid-May - indicating that the worldwide launch of iPod mini's and ITMS might coincide in April....

Yippikayeee :D
 
Re: What the smack??!!

Originally posted by AlbinoPigeon
Excuse me, but Canadian content rules are there for a reason. It's to insure that canadian artists are given their fair share of play time in the face of radio compaines that would much rather fire their staion staff and repeat top 40 bull-s**t.

If you think that only Murray and Lightfoot constitute Canadian content then you should tune into a different station. Canadian artists are thriving the world over because of these rules.

If you're so anti-canadian when it comes to music you should shut your hole and move to the states. And as for your comment about people along the boarder listening to american radio stations, that's crap! I live in Vancouver and have the chance to take in Clearchannel's crap 24/7, but I don't, and neither does anyone I know.

Maybe one needs to have a pathetically low IQ like yours in order to tolerate Clear's crap.

BTW: Canadian content is regulated by the CRTC and not any artist or industry organizations.

EDIT: Typo

I'm from Vancouver as well. If you think local radio is great you're a headbanger.
BTW If Canadian artists are so great then they should easily be able to compete without protection from the CRTC.

You will notice there are no New Age or quality Jass stations in Vancouver because there isn't enough playable Canadian content to make up the required 40%.

Good Canadian artists have to go elswhere to become successful because their music is repeated so often under the CanCon guidline that everyone becomes turned off by it and doesn't buy it.

Where are the classical radio stations in Vancouver? There aren't any with the exception of the CBC which has an almost comical playlist. Mario Barnardi conducts the Spuzum orchestra, Mario Barnardi conducts the Kelowna orchestra, Mario Barnardi conducts the Calgary orchestra, Mario Barnardi conducts the Hamilton orchestra, etc. etc. CanCom gone mad.
King FM out of Seattle is superior in every respect.

Jack Layton LOL,LOL, LOL Save me from losers who think they can spend MY money better than I can.
 
Re: I agree

Originally posted by florio
what Canuck said is complete garbage. While it is true that Canadian radio stations must play a certain percentage of Canadian content...i am certain that no one is twisting their arm to play the likes of Sarah McLaughlin, Bryan Adams, Bare Naked Ladies, Nickelback, Shania Twain....and a whole lot more...

...40%???.....Who are you...where do you get your facts.


...and a whole lot more. You right, they don't neeed CanCon rules. Radio stations should be allowed to play whatever their listeners want to hear. If Canadian talent is as good as you say, it will get played.
Just explain to me why some of the Canadian crap NEVER gets played anywhere else.

40% yes.

BTW Shania Twain and Bryan Adams are not considered Canadians according to those who hand out Canadian Music Awards. Something about not enough Canadians on their production staff. Utter garbage.
 
Re: Re: Re: Oh Canada, Oh Canada

Originally posted by DJY
Mmmm you know anything specific about Oz iTMS mate? or is still the vague guess / references / rumours I've heard which suggest first quarter of 2004?

Mmm we now at at least two online music download options here in Australia... and if Apple don't get a wriggle on they will miss the boat... mmmm all of those potential iPOD buyers out there that will buy a different brand!!

I think both other online download options - are only WMA files though?!??! (yuck!)

My fingers are staying crossed for a local iTMS... and soon!

Well the article I saw from Ausralian IT news said that iTMS was coming to Australia in a couple of months and Apple NZ is currently completely rebuilding the Apple NZ website from the
ground up as it still looks like it was done in OS9 and from what i have been told they are building iTMS into it to release it by the middle of this year. I am hoping that we get it pretty soon as well since 91 ZM @ www.zmonline.com is currently doing their second big iPod promo giveaway on during the 8-10pm night slot with the 10GB iPod. Done forget that all those PC users (myself included although I havent picked up my iPod yet) can still transfer all their songs from iTunes to their iPods anyway. As long at they have the original CDs. If not then they got them thru Kazaa,Grokster or Napster for free and will be likely to be among the percentage of p2p users who still have the apps on their PCs to keep doing that and will be unlikely to see the point of "actually paying " for music when they can still get it for free! I know a a number of PC users who fit this catergory.

They sound mystified when i tell them about iTMS and ask me why i would want to pay for down loading when I can use p2p for free.

I am certainly aware that you guys have two music services over there that we cant use :(
 
Personally I think that Australia and UK are best suited for the next rollout... mainly due to the fact that Quebec (FRENCH BASTARDS!) isn't in either ;).
 
CanCon only applies to radio and TV stations. If stores had to put up with it, we'd have pretty small stores, and forget about ITMS.
 
Originally posted by aldo
Personally I think that Australia and UK are best suited for the next rollout... mainly due to the fact that Quebec (FRENCH BASTARDS!) isn't in either ;).

Spotted this article in Australian IT news today regarding the new arrivals on the Australian Online Music Downloading scene....

Battle brews over net music
Kate Mackenzie
JANUARY 20, 2004

AUSTRALIAN companies are flocking to become part of the music download revolution, but no-one is quite sure what shape the brave new world of sound will take.

Observers are not sure who will dominate the new music delivery scene. The first salvos in the battle will be fired in the first half of this year, as the players struggle for brand awareness.
Familiar online heavyweights such as ninemsn and Telstra BigPond will tussle with relative unkowns like Amped and MuleMusic.

Internet company Destra, has already teamed up with four well-known retailers to offer its online music store.

Destra chief executive Domenic Carosa said the large music retailers accounted for most music sales, and his company would try to capitalise on this by offering download vouchers to customers.

"The biggest challenge for the retailers is how to convince people walking into your shop into an online sale," he said.

There were great opportunities for retailers on the internet, because much larger collections of music could be made available, he said.

"When you walk into a Sanity or HMV or a JBHiFi music shop, less than 5 per cent of the music available is physically in that store."

Other online music retailers are adopting different strategies.

Ninemsn, for example, is the country's most popular website, but its competitors argue this does not translate into a good understanding of the music business.

But Destra has been criticised for going to market too early without features such as artist information.

Telstra BigPond claims its direct relationship with 1.5 million customers, and its ability to bill them for songs on their internet access bills, will give it an advantage, but its model is relatively untested.

AMR Interactive principal analyst Jason Juma-Ross said it was too early to say who would succeed, but no offering seemed to have all essential ingredients.

"It's all happening over the next few months. We're waiting to see what happens with Apple, what happens with Microsoft.

"Obviously, Microsoft or ninemsn have a large number of existing visitors to the site, so, like Telstra, they've got a big advantage in that way," Mr Juma-Ross said.

While they are loath to admit it, each is almost certainly awaiting the local launch of Apple's iTunes, which has proved a huge success in the US.

The most popular song on Apple's iTunes website yesterday was Sunrise, by Norah Jones.

Apple Australia has repeatedly declined to comment on local iTunes plans, although music industry sources have tipped a launch in the first quarter of 2004.

Unlike other services launched in Australia, iTunes works with Apple's operating system and its phenomenally popular iPod digital music player.

A report by AMR Interactive says Apple's iTunes will make the most impact in the short term because of the hype surrounding its US service and the success of the iPod.

Music industry observer Phil Tripp said the WMA file format offered by other services, which required Windows Media Player 9, was a stumbling block for Apple competitors.

Only iTunes sold songs that could be used in Apple's iPod player, and its one-click purchasing system had no peer, Mr Tripp said.

"When Apple comes into this territory, they will take no prisoners in terms of marketing, and advertising," he said.

Even Apple admits it has not made a profit out of iTunes, seeing it as a way of boosting iPod sales. BigPond's pricing model - BigPond users pay $1.49 per song instead of $1.89 - prompted speculation the service was mainly designed to boost the ISP's customer acquisition and retention.

BigPond managing director Justin Milne said helping the ISP business was part of the motivation for BigPond Music, but denied it was the main reason.

"There are two commercial reasons. One is that we expect to make money from music, and we'll be making money from it from day one.

"Making money from entertainment will be more important going forward," he said.

"The other commercial reason to go into a venture like this is to add value to the proposition to join BigPond."

Mr Tripp was sceptical of the BigPond venture.

"With Telstra, the first question is why would you want to buy music from a company that can't even get email right?" he said.

Mr Tripp said first-mover advantage was a fallacy.

Most of the current and proposed online services would fail to deliver the range of songs and ease of use that customers would want, he said.

"The problems with the current flock of online music sellers that are madly rushing into the market is they offer only 15 per cent of the music the public really wants," Mr Tripp said.

"That means 85 per cent of what the public wants isn't there, so it's a less than satisfactory buying experience in terms of quantity."

The Australian Recording Industry Association is planning to launch a separate music chart, detailing the most popular downloaded songs.
 
Originally posted by aldo
Personally I think that Australia and UK are best suited for the next rollout... mainly due to the fact that Quebec (FRENCH BASTARDS!) isn't in either ;).

While le Quebecois might quirk up the legal process a bit I'm sure Apple will follow suit with other Canadian companies. Companies will either comply to the legal requirements for operating in Quebec (this might mean a french version of the ITMS and maybe special consideration for French-Canadian content), or they simply might not offer the service in Quebec. I hope they don't leave that province without an ITMS.

Also before calling them French bastards (even in jest) take a trip to Montreal and party there. Toronto's scene is pretty uptight making it worth the 6-7 hour drive to a Montreal party... well that and the cute girls with the French-Canadian accents.... <drool> :cool:
 
What the smack??!! P.II

Originally posted by Canuck
I'm from Vancouver as well. If you think local radio is great you're a headbanger.
BTW If Canadian artists are so great then they should easily be able to compete without protection from the CRTC.

You will notice there are no New Age or quality Jass stations in Vancouver because there isn't enough playable Canadian content to make up the required 40%.

Good Canadian artists have to go elswhere to become successful because their music is repeated so often under the CanCon guidline that everyone becomes turned off by it and doesn't buy it.

Where are the classical radio stations in Vancouver? There aren't any with the exception of the CBC which has an almost comical playlist. Mario Barnardi conducts the Spuzum orchestra, Mario Barnardi conducts the Kelowna orchestra, Mario Barnardi conducts the Calgary orchestra, Mario Barnardi conducts the Hamilton orchestra, etc. etc. CanCom gone mad.
King FM out of Seattle is superior in every respect.

Jack Layton LOL,LOL, LOL Save me from losers who think they can spend MY money better than I can.


First of all, the correct number is 35%, not 40%.

As I illustrated in my previous post, it's not about which music is "better". For radio networks in the states it's about a rotating play list that features the same set of "popular" musicians over and over again. This is not variety. Canadian artists shouldn't have to compete against foreign artists to have access to their own airspace. That's crap.

The CRTC's content rules are in place because: "Culturally, Canadian programs and music give voice to Canadians, to their talent and their shared experiences. Economically, it means jobs for thousands of Canadians – from creation to production and distribution on the airwaves." (From CRTC's site)

Just one question…what the hell is a "Jass" station? If your infantile mind was trying to form the word "Jazz" then I’ll tell you why there are no new age or JAZZ stations in Vancouver. BECAUSE IT MAKES NO SENCE FISCALLY! (Not because of a lack of Canadian content.)

Jazz, new age, and classical are among the smallest market segments, once you start playing that stuff you’re down at the bottom of the listener base pile. What does that mean? No ad dollars coming in. What does that mean? No radio station! If you want to listen to that type of music buy a CD dumbass.

Also, your comment about overplay of Canadian content forcing Canadian artists to leave makes no sense at all! Repeat by radio stations is caused by managers trying to save money and repeat THEIR ENTIRE PLAYLIST. Not just the Canadian stuff. That's what a top-40 station does. Besides top-40, all other stations in Vancouver play a wide selection of artists, with little or no repeat. And they are good stations, when you don’t have a CD. Face it, all radio is getting bad nowadays, but compared to what it could be, Vancouver’s radio landscape is pretty darn good.

Canadian artists are great the world over because Canadian content rules allow them to break through to the Canadian population and build a solid fan base. Afterward, their label may release in other markets and because of the momentum, they have a higher chance of being successful.

Lastly, judging by your glaringly obvious low mind capacity, you probably don’t vote at all, and thus are horribly unaware of what the Liberals have done in their unchallenged reign, or what the Conservatives will do if given the chance. One of the cornerstones of the Canadian social system is universal health care, which wouldn't have happened if not for the federal NDP. (Remember that the next time you need medical attention). So while you lay in your bed wanking to pictures of Stephen Harper and Paul Martin, remember that Martin is sticking to huge tax cuts for big business (Businesses like his steamship company that are almost all based off shore, and thus help few, if any, Canadians), and Harper would have Canada sucking on the limp member of the Bush administration's industrial war complex.
 
Re: What the smack??!! P.II

Originally posted by AlbinoPigeon
First of all, the correct number is 35%, not 40%.

(Mindless socialist drivel deleted)

For some one who was, "Almost certain that it was 20%" there is no point responding. You simply do not know what you're talking about.

I repeat - Jack Layton LOL,LOL,LOL
 
I love Canadian music

We have had to endure CanCon rules in radio and TV for far to long. Americans would revolt if +40% of their content had to be the likes of Ann Murray and Gordon Lightfoot. Utter garbage to the point where most Canadians close to the border listen to US stations in their cars and through cable at home.

Wow. You don't deserve the "canuck" name. Have you ever driven thru the Canadian Rockies listening to Gordon Lightfoot? The man is a genius. iTMS isn't for people with small ears anyways. iTMS should be about exploration, not condemnation.
 
Re: Pepsi promotion

Originally posted by bindlerotor
The iTMS/Pepsi promotion is actually with Pepsi North America, which encompasses the US and Canada.

So my theory is that Canada will have it in time for that promotion ie Feb 1.

The official rules (http://www.apple.com/itunes/pepsi/rules.html) say you need to be a legal U.S. resident... they might change, but as of now I'd say that you're not quite spot-on with that prediction.
 
Re: I love Canadian music

Originally posted by apoptoticdream
Wow. You don't deserve the "canuck" name. Have you ever driven thru the Canadian Rockies listening to Gordon Lightfoot? The man is a genius. iTMS isn't for people with small ears anyways. iTMS should be about exploration, not condemnation.

You're quite right Lightfoot is a genius. I just don't like to hear the same Lightfoot tune 6 to 10 times a week for months on end.
A good friend, who has interviewed hundreds an hundreds of singers and songwriters over the years confirms that the heavily played Canadian artists suffer significant sales drops due to overplaying their music here.

If you like Rock stations there is quite a bit of choice in Vancouver radio. If you like New Age, Jazz or classical there is little or no choice in Vancouver. Not because there isn't a demand but because there are not enough palatable Canadian artists to fill the CanCom requirements, without becoming too repetative. These genres have great success in Seattle radio where they don't have to limit the talent pool to insist 40% Canadian content.

I have to say that our good Canadian will never have any trouble getting played. They don't need the CanCom rules to succeed, it's only the crap that needs CanCom.

The CBC is absolute proof of that.
 
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