“[Yesterday] morning I read with some surprise in USA Today that Amazon is ‘No. 2 in digital [music] sales since opening nearly six months ago.’ Amazon’s entry into this market last year was an important milestone in the continuing irrelevance of DRM and the overly restrictive and anti-consumer policies that the music industry has foolishly wielded in this new, digital age. But let’s get one thing straight: outside of iTunes, no one sells more music digitally than eMusic, and we don’t plan on giving up that title anytime soon,” David Pakman, President and CEO, eMusic writes in an open letter on the 17 dots blog.
Pakman asks, “So how is it, we wondered, that USA Today came to name Amazon No. 2?”
After talking to USA Today, we learned that:
1) USA Today called representatives of the four major labels, who declared Amazon to be only behind iTunes in sales.
2) USA Today believed that our subscription model was not relevant to the story they wanted to tell.
Pakman writes, “I’d like to address both of these points. First, allow me to point out that no sales or market share figures were cited in the USA Today piece. In fact, the article states that Amazon “won’t say how many songs Amazon has sold but will say that consumers love the experience.” Is that enough for USA Today to make such a bold pronouncement, particularly when there is plenty of widely available evidence to the contrary?”
Pakman writes, “While Amazon isn’t willing to make sales data available, we are more than happy to: eMusic sells more than 7,000,000 songs a month. Seven million tracks of independent music covering everything from Cat Power to Miles Davis. Since Amazon opened its MP3 store on September 25, 2007, eMusic has sold 40,000,000 tracks. Since November of 2003, we have sold almost 200,000,000 songs. These are huge numbers, and firmly back our claims to be the #1 site for independent music and the #2 digital music service after iTunes. Those declarations have not previously been disputed.”
Pakman writes, “The only distinction between us and Amazon — aside from our service being more affordable — is that our users essentially prepay for those songs each month… None of this is at all meant as a slight on Amazon. They have been a pioneer in the world of ecommerce, and we respect the empire that they have built. But in terms of digital music, we are still on top, and will continue to be so. If we ever decide to start selling blenders, we’ll be sure to give them a call.”
Read the full letter here.
eMusic is very good for what it is, an inexpensive outlet for indie music. They are a deserving #2.
For independent music, I prefer Amiestreet.com. Pricing is based on popularity, and songs start free. I’ve found several very good bands this way.
I like Pakman’s spirit!
Famous grouse…
Not wishing to be a pedant, but I think you’ll find that Italy surrendered first followed by Germany and then Japan.
eMusic = 200M since 2003
iTunes = 4-5B since around the same time.
Big difference
I love it when someone with facts actually calls bullshit on the media. Maybe if the “news” media actually got off their asses and did some investigation, research, and real reporting the public might learn something other than what the corporate world wants us to know. But then again, calling USA Today part of the “news” media is probably being way too generous.
“Shocked! I am shocked that” USA Today is really a tabloid that belongs in the supermarket check-out lane. Has anyone seen my copy of today’s <strike>birdcage liner</strike>, er, issue?
I tried eMusic for classical, and although they have some, their selection is quite limited and not that great in terms of quality. I also looked at some other genres, and was not too impressed. After one or two months, I couldn’t find anything else that I wanted to buy. iTunes is much better.
The reason that eMusic has done so well and maintained a significant lead of 2X to 3X the market share over its nearest competitors (other than iTMS) is simple: eMusic support the iPod. eMusic has sold MP3 files without DRM since their inception many years ago, and have done so with an easy to use interface that makes it simple to discover new music. Mr. Pakman should be commended for the eMusic service, especially in the Mac community.
and in that same time period iTunes has sold a mere 1…. b-billion.
“Journalism” is a myth… they’re just lousy bloggers with effective ad sales guys. I mean I’m sure amazon is #2 to the LABEL (who else COULD be?)…. and as much as I hate the labels, it’s not THEIR job to point out that independent music exists and emusic sells a lot of it.
Meanwhile having shot themselves in the foot with the amazon thing (Apple sends us 1.5 billion dollars a year, so definitely let’s hurt them), they insist on emptying all six chambers.
Apple had the right idea with iTunes Plus–no DRM, higher quality, and yes, a little more money. And why not better-than-CD quality?
Generally the solution to a business/revenue problem is to look for ways to create more value for your customers–not leave them in the crossfire as you go to war with your largest distributor.
I have been an emusic subscriber since Sept 2005. It is an excellent and cheaper DRM free alternative to iTunes, especially, for non-major label artists such as including Flogging Molly, Moldy Peaches, Mike Doughty, Barenaked Ladies, Kristin Hersh, Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, Cake, Cery Matthews, Dropkick Murphys, Cracker, Johnny Cash, Gogol Bordello, Meg & Dia, Shout Out Louds, Sleater Kinney and many more. If you are listening to music, there is probably something that appeals to you. Try the service by taking advantage of FREE trial.