USB Sticks To Become Chart Eligible?

March 19th, 2007 at 10:34 AM

USB Sticks To Become Chart Eligible?

As the music industry attempts to introduce as many formats as possible, we could be looking at future releases being readily available as USB sticks. For those unclear of the format, a USB stick is a small plastic device that slots into a USB port on your computer.

The idea was first introduced last year, when the band Keane released their Nothing In My Way single as a USB stick limited to 1,500 copies - all of which sold out in a day.

Now the second group to follow suit is The Fratellis, who today release single Baby Fratelli as a USB stick. 7000 of these have been produced exclusively for sale in HMV and besides containing the single, the sticks also include the video for the track.

Industry insiders believe the format could be a hit with music fans and eventually be eligble for charts, in the same way chart rules were altered at the start of this year to incorporate download sales.

Lee Jenson, head of marketing for Island Records, says: "The success of the Keane single last year convinced us that music fans would welcome more audio releases on this format."

Jenson added, "If demand really does start to take off, it may well become viable to think about releasing selective albums on USB as well, especially if they were to become eligible for inclusion in the chart."