BMI Eyes Ringback Tones For Mobile Growth

BMI expects ringback tones to lead the way in mobile music growth this year as ringtone revenues begin to decline. The company projects ringback tones will exceed $210 million in U.S. sales in 2008, a 50% increase over 2007 estimated sales of $140 million. (Billboard)

Online, Mobile Percentages Keep Tilting at Majors

Just last month, top digital executives Ted Mico (Island Geffen A&M) and Thomas Hesse (Sony BMG) pointed to breakdowns of nearly 40 percent during discussions in New York. And earlier this week, Rio Caraeff, a top mobile and digital executive at Universal Music Group, offered more data. "Our mobile business is about half of our digital business, and our digital business is about 40-60 percent of our new releases," Caraeff told Digital Music News during the Mobile Monday symposium in Los Angeles. (Digital Music News)

Mobile Music Market to Reach $17.5bn by 2012

The total value of the global mobile music market is expected to rise to more than $17.5bn by 2012, driven by rental music services and full-track downloads, according to a new report by Juniper Research. The China/Far East region will remain the largest regional marketplace for mobile music services, accounting for around 43% of sales per annum over the next five years (PR)

Mobile Music Adoption Passes Tipping Point with Revenues Set to Reach $17.5bn by 2012

The total value of the global mobile music market is expected to rise to more than $17.5bn by 2012, driven by rental music services and full-track downloads, according to a new report by Juniper Research. The China/Far East region will remain the largest regional marketplace for mobile music services, accounting for around 43% of sales per annum over the next five years. Ringtones, which accounted for 62% of the mobile music market in 2007, will account for just 38% by 2012. The report argues that more operators should emulate the Vodafone model and introduce similar subscription-based music rental services. (PR)

Mobile Social Networking Revenues Could Reach Us$52 Billion by 2012

A new report from Informa Telecoms & Media concludes that the number of mobile social networking users exceeded 50 million, approximately 2.3% of the global mobile user population on December 31 2007. In 2006, Mobile Social Networking revenues exceeded US$1.5 billion and more than doubled in 2007. By 2012 revenues generated from all business models in this industry is forecast to reach US$28.9 billion in the most conservative scenario and $52 billion in the high growth scenario. (Cellular News)

Ad-Funded Mobile Music Yet To Take Off, Says MEF

A report published by the Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) today (Feb. 11) concludes that U.K. ad-funded mobile entertainment will generate £145 million ($282 million) in revenues by 2012. However, Billboard.biz has learned that music will generate only a small fraction of MEF's predicted total as the industry continues to examine how to insert advertising without disrupting consumers' enjoyment of music. (Billboard)

Mobile TV a potential $2bn market

If implemented quickly, mobile DTV broadcast services could be a $2 billion market for the industry by 2012 according to a report unveiled during NAB’s TV board meeting. (Advanced-Television)

Verizon Wireless Announces Top Music from 2007

Verizon Wireless has revealed its list of top-selling ringtones, ringback tones, and full-length tracks on its premier V CAST service for 2007 at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Topping out on ringtones and V CAST is "A Bay Bay" by Hurricane Chris. Other names worth mentioning are Fergie, Soulja Boy, and Timbaland. (Mobile Whack)

Mobile Music Revenues to Approach $18 Billion by 2012

Mobile subscriptions which offer unlimited music downloads on a rental basis are expected to surge in popularity and will provide the majority of mobile revenues derived from original recordings. According to a new report from Juniper Research, the market for subscription-based music rental services will reach $3.3 billion by 2012, eclipsing the market for paid-for original recordings. The global market for end-user generated mobile music revenues will rise from $8.9 billion in 2007 to nearly $17.6 billion in 2012. (PR)

Global Market for Cellphone Ring Tones Is Shrinking

After years of double-digit growth rates, the global ring tone market appears to have come to the end of its crescendo, according to a variety of measures. In some parts of the world, ring tone sales are actually declining, and the former ring tone kings, like Jamba of Germany and Musiwave of France, are refocusing their businesses on other ways to personalize cellphones. (NY Times)