I came to Pandora somewhat late, discovering it after downloading its iPhone app a few weeks ago. But what a delight! It was responsible for my rediscovering new music on my own for the first time in probably over a decade. And not only have I discovered a few new groups, I’ve used the nice convenient links to iTunes and purchased songs. Again, probably the first time in a decade.
If the music industry is really saying that “Internet radio stations have no one but themselves to blame, and suggest they find more innovative revenue models”, as the post indicates, than they really are colossal idiots.
Here is a truly innovative medium for distributing and introducing music. One that is fan-friendly and undoubtedly drives sales. And the industry is driving a stake through its heart.
So if Pandora goes under — well, I’ll see you in another decade, music industry. Once you have no revenue model at all, and a new Pandora arises — one that works directly with artists.