MUMBAI: After major music labels like T-Series, Saregama and Times Music announced their intention of launching a new format for consuming music through USB flash drives, other labels are also contemplating the options.
Big Music from the Reliance ADAG stable would also be venturing into the USB space with the launch of its music for ‘Do knot disturb’. The label would be launching the music of the Vashu Bhagnani film this week and launch the USB by end of August.
Confirms Big Music CEO Kulmeet Makkar, “We would soon be adding a newer format of selling music through USBs to our existing formats. It would be difficult to foresee the success of the format in Indian markets as it is still in the nascent stage and labels would be successful in converting it into commercial volumes only after a period of time.”
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Pricing the USB tentatively at a price of Rs. 350 for 1 GB and Rs. 450 for 2 GB, Makkar says, “Pricing might be a deterrent for consumers to opt for the new format initially but the labels can work on it. Pricing would be an issue as the hardware and production cost for music labels would be high. But after a span of one or two years when the hardware cost becomes affordable, the format might click with the consumers.”
“The music labels are testing market with the new product and would be difficult to think of profits initially. Also, instead of just preloading songs, the music labels must allow the consumers to choose tracks and download onto their USBs,” adds Makkar foreseeing the economic viability of the USB formats.
Big Music plans to set up music kiosks to distribute music owned by them and other labels. “We are in talks with music labels for acquiring license and selling music their music through kiosks. Such kiosks will provide more options for consumers and is an effective revenue generator model for the industry.”
