I have been investigating the resurgence in Hard Media for a quire a while now and have formed a view that is founded on info like the stuff seen in the Link, bit also by listening to those who work as a support to the music industry through supplying its sales material.
Firstly if one wants to legally own Recorded Music that is offered through mainstream marketing channels, my understanding is that the only real option on the table is to purchase Hard Media. Any other mainstream methods of supply is to Hire/Rent recorded music only.
Mega Stars from the music Industry are always quoted as having huge Hard Media Sales. This is a inevitability if one digs deeper to learn why?
Streaming remuneration is totally loaded in the favour of the Record Company and Streaming Service, this is the Business Model Full Stop. Remuneration to performers for their work via the Streaming Model is very very poor.
In general the Band/Group as a whole will need the remuneration of approx' 3000 Stream revenues to receive the same remuneration as a sale of 1 x CD or 1 x Vinyl LP sale.
Performers, Bands, Groups, are totally switched on to the remuneration value of supplying Hard Media, for many it is their own Merchandise sold at Live Performances and via their Web Site.
Mega Stars have a slightly different approach to Hard Media, it is nit uncommon for these individuals to have a 'clause' in place. The 'clause' being that none of their work will be offered via a streaming platform until a minimum quantity of Hard Media - CD or Vinyl Sales have been realised.
In general a Record Company is very keen to get the marketing onto the Streaming Platform, as a result of contractual obligations with the stream service. A Heavy promotion will be in place to realise the minimum sale.
When the minimum sale is achieved the Maga Star will have received in remuneration X amount of $000000's or similar in other currencies, as per their contracts that are in place for Hard Media sales percentage of entitlement.
Hard Media percentage of entitlement is much much more than the typical 3% - 6% of entitlement made as a remuneration of streamed media.
It is a pure need to express survivalism in the market for some who supply Hard Media, it is the only way along with Live Performances that may enable them to be able to create a ling term career as a musician.
For another select bunch, the type that go on World Tours as non-domiciles using select periods of time in any one Country as a means to avoid Tax. For these Types the remuneration from Hard Media Sales is very very nice, sought of owning a Bahamas Island Nice.
With the above views formed, I intentionally buy throughout the year a selection Hard Media purchases, made available from New Performers trying to get established. I am no stranger now to Crowd Funding Purchases or Purchases direct from a Web Site, of either Vinyl or CD.
My latest purchase arrived a few days ago, it will be debuted today at a social get together with Tube Rolling as the main activity on a Audio Note CD2.
I hope the attendees enjoy their first musical encounter with the all girl Group 'boygenius' as much as I did.