Industry News

Local/Club Date

The Broward Center has placed third in Pollstar’s World Top 50 Theaters chart, behind the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace and the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Office Depot Center placed ninth in the U.S. and 14th in the World Top 50 Arenas chart. Rankings are based in ticket sales.

The Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach is in talks to establish a resident Cirque du Soleil show at the theater when its current residents Miami City Ballet, Broadway Series, and Concert Association move to the new Performing Arts Center of Greater Miami.

Recording

Discovery Networks has launched U.S. Hispanic Networks Group, a new division based in Miami. A dedicated group of 15 staffers will help promote Discovery’s position in the Hispanic market. By mid-June, Discovery will have three Spanish-language channels.

P. Diddy and Pitbull have launched Bad Boy Latino, a new label with offices in Miami and New York featuring Latin rap artists, Latin soul, and tropical music.

Billboard Magazine reports that Latin retail shipments rose over 21% last year, to $650.7 million.

Local 655 member Rudy Perez recently won a Billboard Latin Music Award for his work as producer.

NPR’s All Things Considered reported April 20 on recording artists working for cash and missing out on royalties from reissues that could help sustain them in retirement.

A new Forrester Research study reports that 100,000 people experienced podcasting in 2004, and this number is expected to grow to 12.3 million in the next five years.

Sirius satellite radio will be available as dealer or factory installed options in automobiles from Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and Land Rover, and XM satellite radio may soon be available in Hyundai automobiles.

SongTouch.com, a web service devoted to family-friendly music downloads, was launched in April by Christian Copyright Licensing International. They have agreements with labels including EMI, CMG, and Provident for exclusive rights to a variety of music.

Cingular has begun a program to release songs as ringtones prior to their release as singles. Coldplay’s “Speed of Sound” was the first to be released. Artists will receive royalties from each download, and Nielsen Mobile may begin charting these downloads this summer.

Clear Channel has announced a new syndicated Internet Radio series, “Stripped,” which will feature artists performing in intimate, closed-studio settings. Clear Channel also plans to offer clips of its programs over cell phones by the end of the year and is considering launching a subscription online radio service.

Clear Channel will hold an Initial Public Offering to spin off its live entertainment and part of its outdoor advertising businesses. The IPO, in addition to strengthening Clear Channel’s financial ability for future acquisitions, will allow the live entertainment business to operate largely unregulated.

AGU Entertainment is renovating the former Oakland Park Flea Market into the largest film studio on the east coast. The new building will include production facilities, a recording and distribution company, and a digital television network.

BMG Direct, the largest music retailer selling direct to the consumer, has acquired Columbia House, the largest specialized retailer of DVDs. The acquisition is subject to government approval.

EMI has joined BMG and Universal in registering its content with Snocap for identification and copyright management of online distribution.

Naptstertones will allow users to download ringtones made from popular songs, a first for an online download or subscription service. The service is already available on Cingular and T-Mobile networks, with expected roll outs in Canada and with other wireless carriers this summer.

In an attempt to reach a larger audience, the Latin Grammys have left CBS for Univision. Univision holds a 98% share of the Spanish television market.

Symphony

Palm Beach County Cultural Council made the following grant recommendations for 2006:

The Miami Symphony reports that it is halfway toward raising $1.5 million for next season, which is triple the amount of its current season budget. The orchestra hopes to increase performances to 16 per year, as well as expand its education program and become a resident ensemble at the new Performing Arts Center of Greater Miami.

The Florida Orchestra has asked the city of St. Petersburg (FL) to triple its support of the orchestra to cover the costs of performing in Pasadena Community Church while Mahaffey Theater is being renovated .The orchestra will need to build a stage at the church and publicize the new venue, and anticipates  at 15 percent drop in attendance at the new venue.

The Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house in Barcelona has developed a program to stream opera performances via the internet in an effort to reach out to students and others who have limited or no opportunity to attend operas in person.

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