iTunes to Triple Song-Preview Length

[Ryan]

In what was pretty much a fait accompli from Apple to the record companies Tuesday, the firm has announced that longer song samples are to be offered to users in the U.S. for tracks over 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

"We are pleased to let you know that we are preparing to increase the length of music previews from 30 seconds to 90 seconds on the iTunes Store in the US," Apple wrote in an email to label representatives. "We believe that giving potential customers more time to listen to your music will lead to more purchases." (See pictures of the unveiling of Apple's iPad.)

But here's where it becomes ever so slightly sinister: Apple's statement may not ask much of the music industry -- all the labels need to do is make the content available on iTunes -- but if they don't like this move, the labels will have to remove all their music from the store.

While it probably won't prove problematic for the major players, smaller labels may not feel comfortable about accepting this change if tricky issues such as licensing and royalties haven't been fully clarified with their acts. Apple has of course argued that by offering customers a longer sample (indeed, 30 seconds won't often get you to the heart of a track), there's a greater chance of achieving a sale which makes it a win-win for everyone. (See the top 10 best songs of 2009.)

One final caveat: if the song length is under the 2 and a half minute mark, you'll still only get the 30 second preview. Or to put it another way, when it comes to the back catalog of The Ramones, it'll be business as usual. (via CNET)

Read more: newsfeed.time.com/2010/11/03/itunes-to-triple-song-preview-length/#ixzz14E8vjTP3

[HolidayGuy]

Excellent.

I can't see how even a small label would have an issue with lengthier song previews- surely acts do not receive royalties for song previews?!? They do for radio airplay, so who knows if they do for partial previews...

[musicintervention]

Great, always thought the previews didn't give justice to the song.

[ListenToItTwice]

When will this change take place?

[Diego]

Nice! A lot of people judge whether they want to buy a song from its preview, so hopefully this will help boost sales a bit.

[pnobelysk]

great idea , although im not sure it ll really affect sales THat much ^, prbly unoticeably

[ListenToItTwice]

They did it! It's here.

[HolidayGuy]

Yes- I was sampling Coldplay's track and saw that it was much longer than the typical 30 seconds. :)

[1shot]

Good. I always end up listening to the full song on youtube before I buy a track anyways.

[Deleted]

My first thought before opening this thread was 'competing with youtube eh?'; since most people go to youtube to listen to the full song anyway, and if they can hear a good chunk of it on iTunes instead of a worthless 30 seconds, they'll be more prone to just buy it then if they like it. ;)

[Agent Yoncé]

Dec 9, 2010 15:38:51 GMT -5 @xiivi said:

My first thought before opening this thread was 'competing with youtube eh?'; since most people go to youtube to listen to the full song anyway, and if they can hear a good chunk of it on iTunes instead of a worthless 30 seconds, they'll be more prone to just buy it then if they like it. ;)

Right! I know I do.

[Deleted]

It's about time! I can't judge anything with a measly 30-second clip.

[DJ General]

I didn't know they were doing this. I just noticed it today. =)

[slicknickshady]

I was curious how much of Eminem's first verse on That's All She Wrote was on the song preview. It has Em's whole first verse. While its a Hot Verse whats stopping people for just playing the clip over and over to hear that verse.

I can't believe labels are allowing this.

[ListenToItTwice]

Dec 11, 2010 4:40:18 GMT -5 slicknickshady said:

I was curious how much of Eminem's first verse on That's All She Wrote was on the song preview. It has Em's whole first verse. While its a Hot Verse whats stopping people for just playing the clip over and over to hear that verse.

I can't believe labels are allowing this.

Why sit at your computer replaying part of a song when you can pay $1.29 to hear the whole thing anytime, anywhere, as much as you want?

[carrieidol1]

I like this idea, usually, with 30 seconds, you get either the chorus or a verse. This should present the chance to hear at least one chorus and verse.

[DJ General]

Dec 11, 2010 4:40:18 GMT -5 slicknickshady said:

I was curious how much of Eminem's first verse on That's All She Wrote was on the song preview. It has Em's whole first verse. While its a Hot Verse whats stopping people for just playing the clip over and over to hear that verse.

I can't believe labels are allowing this.

What? If anything, it helps. People aren't going to not buy a song because they heard a 90 second sample instead. And TASW is already top 5 on iTunes so obviously it isn't hurting. And one could argue the exact same thing with 30 seconds, people don't hear enough of the song to know if they want to buy it.

[ListenToItTwice]

Here's a pesky byproduct of the change: If you listen to the full 90-second sample, last.fm will count it as a Scrobble.

[Choco]

It's a good decision, but still, you can just check the song on youtube before you buy it.

[Deleted]

Dec 13, 2010 15:39:05 GMT -5 ListenToItTwice said:

Here's a pesky byproduct of the change: If you listen to the full 90-second sample, last.fm will count it as a Scrobble.

My last.fm doesn't .

[ListenToItTwice]

Dec 13, 2010 18:16:59 GMT -5 @drag27 said:

Dec 13, 2010 15:39:05 GMT -5 ListenToItTwice said:

Here's a pesky byproduct of the change: If you listen to the full 90-second sample, last.fm will count it as a Scrobble.

My last.fm doesn't .

Hmm maybe I need to change my settings... Mine counts anything more than 45 seconds of a song as a scrobble.