MTV finds a use for filesharing
In a move that really highlights the ridiculous stance taken by the RIAA with regards to filesharing, MTV has announced that it will gather data from filesharing programs and BitTorrent in order to compile its playlists for The Music Factor (TMF).
Dutch music-channel TMF will use filesharing information because it is one of the easiest ways to spot trends in people’s music tastes. Spot the mixed messages being sent to the public here? On the one hand, we are told that filesharing is evil and wrong, but then a huge entity like MTV comes out and says that it will use filesharing to dictate its programming.
By the logic employed by the RIAA, this is like MTV surveying thieves and asking them what their top 5 CD-steals were this week. Initial plans to use filesharing to compile charts were shot down by the music industry because it would give out the wrong message. Obviously this sends out a much better message.
Lest we forget that record companies hypocritically use filesharing information as part of their market research. *cough cough* Interescope.
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beginners wine guide 18Mar08
In one respect I think this is a great way to gather data. But it does seem that a legitimate organisation would use a source from illegal communities. There are other sources that they could check, like iTunes download numbers etc to gauge what people are listening too.
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[…] will be next to follow suit in the global battle against filesharing. If this trend continues, MTV will have to look elsewhere to get ideas for their programming. […]
irish jobs 01Apr08
This seems a bit crazy, I don’t know if you could really trust these numbers, some of the music is often labelled incorrectly. Also if I was an artist, I’m sure it would be easy to game this system.
Sheen 08Apr08
MTV using filesharing, that’s good to hear, only makes it easier for me to get more music!