Universal readies back-to-basics CDs for iTunes era

Universal readies back-to-basics CDs for iTunes era

Daniel Fleshbourne on 05 July 2006 - 13:46 · 15 comments & 6328 views

Advertisement (Why?)

Universal Music Group is to bring no-frills CDs to the UK in a bid to match the iTunes Music Store's price point. The scheme targets old, back-catalogue releases rather than new or recent titles. According to a report in the Guardian newspaper, Universal will split its CD line-up into three format. The cheapest series is expected to retail for just under £7. The CDs will ship in a simple card slip cover with no booklet.

View: The full story

News source: The Reg

About the Author

Full name: Daniel Fleshbourne
User name: Daniel
Contact: via forum PM
Submissions: View All
More: View Bio New!

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 15 additional comments

#1 Julius Caro on 05 Jul 2006 - 14:09

7 pounds is still more than those 6-7 euro CDs that I can buy here in madrid (original, boxed and with booklet). Anyway the only CD I saw for that price was christina aguilera stripped, like two weeks ago, hehe. Most are 15 euro anyway

But 7 pounds is still pricey, considering new releases are 9 pounds.

Last edited by Julius Caro on 05 Jul 2006 - 14:19

#2 ahhell on 05 Jul 2006 - 14:09

Sounds good to me. I don't need all that other crap anyway.

#3 Matt500 on 05 Jul 2006 - 14:20

hmm might work but usually most albums get reduced to about £5.99 online after about 6 months anyway so its still more expensive and the shops wont stock a lot of them.

#4 domgrimm on 05 Jul 2006 - 14:28

That's still not all that cheap, is it? That comes in at almost AUS$18, you can buy some new releases here for $20, with a proper CD case and booklet.

#5 Shibby on 05 Jul 2006 - 14:51

Well it's for older releases. To me it seems a good idea, it will make it easier and cheaper for people to buy and for uni to produce.
And as long as there is no protection on the cds it even better that means i can rip them,
place them on my pc
Burn a big collection of mp3s to cd to keep in my car (no originals in my car because people like breaking windows)
then just put the cd wallet in a box in my wardrobe.

Nice one!

(1 reply) #6 djesteban on 05 Jul 2006 - 15:37

it's almost the same price than the full CD package (booklet, case, etc) what the hell
anyway

#6.1 theyarecomingforyou on 05 Jul 2006 - 15:45

It's expected that online retailers could discount them to £4-5, which would actually be decent value. I'd certainly consider them, as I cannot stand the current DRM infested low-quality files that currently sell online.

#7 ziadoz on 05 Jul 2006 - 15:55

If I could buy them for £4 - £5 I would probably go out every few months and buy a fair few CD's. Its good to see someone is trying new things though, hopefully online they will sell even cheaper, it needs to go that way.

#8 Colin-uk on 05 Jul 2006 - 18:19

the most you'll save is £1, new releases are about that in the shops for about £8 and they come with booklet etc..

silly idea

#9 fantasticben on 05 Jul 2006 - 19:06

That's an absurd amount of money - total rip off! I can buy CDs in their cases with booklets for £5.99 at my local HMV, so why would I want an old album with nothing for £7?

#10 Mike Frett on 05 Jul 2006 - 20:50

Go down and check out your local Pawn Shop, Poor folk go there all the time and pawn perfectly good stuff and never come back to get it.

DVD's or CD's for a buck anyone? Perfectly good I might add, some almost new like. Go check it out.

#11 C_Guy on 05 Jul 2006 - 21:07

Call me old fashioned but I still prefer the experience of going to a music store, buying a CD, then ripping off the shrink wrap, reading the notes, and listening to the new tunes on my computer.

Plus, it's MY CD. I can copy, rip, play, or do whatever (within my legal right) I want with my music with no DRM holding me back.

And if my computer crashes, well, my music wouldn't go with it.

#12 ThePitt on 06 Jul 2006 - 03:43

THIS IS GREAT!. I like physical CDs than an stupid file compressed with a crappy quality. Good move Universal!. I hope the ppl support this!

#13 Chicane-UK on 06 Jul 2006 - 07:36

Reading the other story about getting deluxe albums for £20?! They must be off their heads. I don't think I would ever pay that much for an album.

Personally feel that at this price we're not getting that much of a great deal - to be honest I would be more impressed if it were the original album (jewel case and all) at this price.

Can the industry not admit that as technology has progressed, the costs for producing these CD's has not dropped SIGNIFICANTLY? The prices don't seem to have dropped significantly..

#14 Tim Wong on 06 Jul 2006 - 09:54

My papa works as manager of Universal and he says this deal is fake

Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!

Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.

Advertisement (Why?)

Neowin.net

Universal readies back-to-basics CDs for iTunes era

Share this Article

About the Author

Related news