Sony Caught “Dead” Handed – Increasing the Price of Whitney Songs Hours after Her Death
I’m not sure if I’m impressed or repulsed. I think if this came out 2 weeks ago, I would stand up and applaud. It’s just too soon and Whitney was too big and money was going to be made anyway, so I will lean toward the repulsed side.
The price jacking was linked to “The Ultimate Collection”. At 4 AM on Sunday they jacked up prices on this album which impacted the albums price on iTunes. The UK iTunes store reflected a £3 price increase from £5 to £8.
Sony said that it wasn’t price jacking, but that during a review of the catalog they noticed an error in the price and just corrected it. The Greatest Hits album is actually a collection released back in 1997, which is now ranked 2nd in iTunes just under Adele in the US. Oddly enough the songs on this 2 disc album are going for $1.29 which is the new release price. Sony removed he price increase before the end of the day on Sunday.
Actually, I believe Sony’s side of the story. It’s very feasible, and makes me feel better. Even if it’s not true, I want it to be true.
Two give you an idea of how much money is involved, and the impact of Whitney, (and Adele ) worldwide take a look at the iTunes Top 10 list.
In the US, UK, Canada, Greece, Japan, Spain, Adel is in spot 1 and Whitney is in spot 2.
In France, Germany Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland Whitney is in the number 1 spot.
Some of these countries don’t even speak English!! Wow!
Every hour after her death was announced you start to really feel how big Whitney really was….and Bobby Brown is still kicking!
-COSMO
