I was wondering if some record labels like to release songs physically (instead of just downloads) more than others?

 

I think most Polydor artists get a physical release (Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, Eminem, Enrique, Esmée, Cheryl Cole & Girls Aloud, N-Dubz, Pussycat Dolls)

 

Another one that springs to mind is AATW (allaroundtheworld) who seem to release physicals with most singles. (Agnes, Inna, Edward Maya...)

 

Ones that don't seem to like physical releases is Jay-Z's Roc Nation (Jay-Z, Rihanna, Melanie Fiona...)

 

Alantic Records don't seem to do many physicals in the UK either for newer artists. (Estelle, Flo Rida, Gnarls Barkley, 3OH!3) but a few of the older acts get physicals (Pendulum, Bloc Party, Sean Paul...)

 

Mercury seem to like to use Physicals before the album is released, then download after.

 

I know it can get a bit confusing with artists appearing to belong to more than one label sometimes, but can anyone else see any trends?

Each record label have their own strategies, etc, some are more tight fisted than others but most of the time, it comes down to the artist.

If the artist has an 'older' fanbase (30 onwards) then its likley the song will go physical.

In most cases though usually releasing the first single from the album physically is a good promo opportunity, for the approaching album. Then download only usually follows after the album is put out, or maybe after the second single, especially if its people in the younger demographic (14-30), sometimes to encourage album sales at that point. Digital sales have a huge influence on the final charts. Sometimes labels put out singles not to sell the single, but simply to promote the album by way of radio play, so they were never expecting a high peak in the chart anyway, thats more the case with the fourth or fifth single onwards.

 

Another thing is the budget allocated to that artist and returns expected. If a small budget is allocated, they are going to want to lower their costs providing profit maximisation. So they'll spend less money on putting out a physical cd but maybe increase promo in order to promote the fact its download-only.

Edited May 17, 201015 yr by musicrocks1000

That's very true but Mariah Carey's case is particularly odd because she's been around for hundreds of years now (well not quite but has been selling singles since the early 90s) but what I didn't understand is why her songs were download-only because she's a long standing artist, has quite a few fans and you would have thought that her record company would have had the funds for her (although she did get an X Factor performance, but her song entered at #19 and fell out of the top 40 the next week)

Sony BMG does especially with X Factor winners!

Its rare now for American artists to get a physical release, primarily because they don't bother with physicals in the US

That's very true but Mariah Carey's case is particularly odd because she's been around for hundreds of years now (well not quite but has been selling singles since the early 90s) but what I didn't understand is why her songs were download-only because she's a long standing artist, has quite a few fans and you would have thought that her record company would have had the funds for her (although she did get an X Factor performance, but her song entered at #19 and fell out of the top 40 the next week)

 

Yea well then this is a case of it coming down to the label, not the artist. Her label probably know her reputation latley of her singles performance being quite unpredictable, therefore they arent going to take a risk to blow money on a physical cd roll out unless they have a 'sure to be hit', which she hasnt had in a long time.

Therfore they will just promote the album by way of sending the song out to radio and putting it out as a 'download only'.

Plus just because shes been about for a lifetime dosent mean shes 'directing' to an older audience. Some of her recent songs wouldnt appeal to her expected audience.