Escapade Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Credibility Lost: RIAA Includes Digital Streams in Certifications A beast emerges from the shadows of the dying music industry. In February, the Billboard Hot 100 chart methodology was rightfully changed to reflect online streaming data from authorised YouTube audio and video products. Now, the RIAA has joined the growing list of companies that recognise the rapidly changing patterns of consumer behaviour by announcing a revamped system for the awarding of certifications. On-demand audio and video streams have officially been incorporated into gold (500K), platinum (1 million) and multiplatinum (2 million+) certification methodology. The so called Combined Digital Single Award now represents digital downloads as well as online streaming data from MOG, Muve Music, Rdio, Rhapsody, Slacker, Spotify, Xbox Music, MTV.com, VEVO, Yahoo! Music and YouTube. Only official videos and audio count toward certifications while user generated content will be ignored. In attempt to justify the obviously ludicrous move, Chairman and CEO of the RIAA, Cary Sherman, explained, “Including music streaming in Gold & Platinum awards marks the continued evolution of the industry’s premier program for recognizing artistic achievement, and it reflects the wide spectrum of ways consumers enjoy music from their favorite bands.” “The music business, along with its incredible array of digital service partners, is offering fans more access to music than ever before,” Sherman continued as she tried to convince herself that the RIAA had not completely lost all credibility. “We’re thrilled that our awards will now more fully recognize artists’ commercial success today.” Immediately after the proverbial poo hit the fan, dozens of new awardees were announced. Among those titles were Adele’s for “Rolling in the Deep” (8x multiplatinum), J. Cole for “Work Out” (2x multiplatinum), Rihanna for “We Found Love” (7x multiplatinum) and will.i.am for “Scream & Shout” (3x multiplatinum). Notably, there is a distinct difference between standard certifications and digital awards. The former is only based on physical single sales and the now defunct club sales, and such honors granted separately. For instance, Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” has thus far been certified 4x multi-platinum by the standard methodology whereas the Combined Digital Single Award issued today boasts 2x multi-platinum. So, what does this chatter all really mean? Basically, RIAA digital certifications will no longer reflect actual sales. Rather, online streaming will pointlessly count toward those awards in a similar fashion to the VEVO Certified honors issued to artists based on their YouTube videos views. This development stresses the point that companies are struggling to adapt to the changing landscape of the Digital Age and have simply lost touch with consumers. Instead of integrating online streaming into digital certifications, it would have been far more effective to establish a completely different award, therefore maintaining the integrity of the original titles and avoiding any confusion amongst music fans. Additionally, we all know that artists and their labels rarely explain the meaning of their accomplishments so expect to see Rihanna’s future press releases boasting about her 11x multiplatinum “Love the Way You Lie” hit without highlighting that it reached that status primarily because of online streams. As I continue to build my time machine to return to the 1990s… What the RIAA just did to the industry. From TheLavaLizard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illi Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 FUCK IT FUCK IT FUCK IT FUCK IT FUCK IT I GIVE UP. IT'S JUST ABSOLUTELY NO FUN THE FOLLOW THE INDUSTRY ANYMORE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illi Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Venting aside, I think a better move would be to certify the streams separately from the sales. Another idea would be to lower the certification standard of albums to better reflect album-buying trends and to raise the standards for digital singles. What's next, certifications for Twitter followers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reyna ♔ Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Why does it have to end like this? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyHood Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 My madness comes from the fact that while our legendary faves's certifications were achieved mostly through PHYSICAL album sales, these newbies will get theirs through this digital bull which will be sooo much easier. SMH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bu. Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 So Gangam Style songs will now have certifications? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedSimba Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 It's one thing if people were actually buying the video, but counting free views is like counting audience impressions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwistedElegance™ Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 In February, the Billboard Hot 100 chart methodology was rightfully changed to reflect online streaming data from authorised YouTube audio and video products. was rightfully changed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatOtherFan Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Why does it have to end like this? :lmao: :lmao: I don't know why that made me crack up, but.... As far as the story, this just pathetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Wonder Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 It ridiculous to amalgamate free streams with paid downloads. If the consumer didn't shell out any cash to support the artist, then it shouldn't matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeJoe Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 FUCK IT FUCK IT FUCK IT FUCK IT FUCK IT I GIVE UP. IT'S JUST ABSOLUTELY NO FUN THE FOLLOW THE INDUSTRY ANYMORE. I was gonna say the same exact thing when I entered this thread but you did it for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquaria Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 It ridiculous to amalgamate free streams with paid downloads. If the consumer didn't shell out any cash to support the artist, then it shouldn't matter. Completely agree it's ridiculous and doesn't make one lick of sense Oh well. Now Lady Gaga won't need to sell her albums for a $1 to go platinum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray. Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bu. Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Somewhere in Atlanta, Ciara is at a net cafe playing musical chairs whilst clicking refresh on Youtube 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Baby Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 This is the ultimate BS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Baby Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Expect thriller's platinum certifications to be beat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EphraimAdamz Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Expect thriller's platinum certifications to be beat. I wonder if old songs can re-enter the chart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil. Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Expect thriller's platinum certifications to be beat. Not if the MJ Stans are still purchasing his music digitally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock & Roll Hall of Game Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 So Gangam Style songs will now have certifications? 10x diamond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bu. Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 10x diamond This is wrong imo. Have a separate chart for it - but don't include it in the current one . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarrylf Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Well we've just witnessed the pissing on the grave of the majority of quality music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetDAYZ Posted May 12, 2013 Share Posted May 12, 2013 This is so ridiculous I can't do nothin but laugh at this pathetic industry doin whatever to stay afloat and making no sense in the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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