DVD Audio Group Endorses Compression Technology

The Working Group (WG-4), formed to hammer out a technical specification for DVD Audio, has endorsed British high-end audio manufacturer Meridian's MLP compression algorithm, according to WG-4 DVD Audio Working Group chairman and JVC executive Bike Suzuki. In addition to JVC and Meridian, others in the group include Panasonic, Pioneer, Sony, Yamaha, Toshiba, Philips Electronics, DTS, Kenwood, Sharp, and Dolby Laboratories.

MLP differs from compression methods developed by DTS and Dolby--which are also part of the DVD Audio spec--in that it is "lossless," meaning that it loses no data in the process of compressing it. Lossless compression is considered critical to DVD Audio as it allows content providers to program up to six channels of audio at the highest resolution allowed by the format. Furthermore, a lossless compression algorithm was a requirement of the International Steering Committee on DVD Audio, which comprises the global recording-industry associations.

The WG-4's decision clears the way for a fall announcement of Version 1.0 of the DVD Audio spec, after which the consumer electronics, computer, and music industries will hammer out a copyright protection technology for the proposed format. Sources say they expect DVD Audio to launch in the marketplace in mid-1999.

--Paul Verna, N.Y.



British Biz Posts Second Consecutive Quarterly Gain

The British record market has posted gains both in value and volume for the second consecutive quarter. Figures to be released today by the British Phonographic Industry show that in the second quarter, album shipments grew to 39 million units, up 9.2% compared to the same period last year. Value of the album market at wholesale prices was up 5.6% at £174.9 million ($284.4 million). Shipments for singles rose 3.6% to 18.7 million units; value increased 13.1% to £29.7 million ($48.3 million). Total value of all shipments was up 6.6% at £204 million ($331.8 million).

A year-on-year comparison shows singles units up 8.8% and album units up 1.2%. In the 12 months to the end of June, British labels shipped 86.4 million singles and 203.3 million albums.

For details, see the Aug. 22 issue of Billboard.

--Jeff Clark-Meads, London



Changes Sought In French Music Policy

A commission of professionals, including V2 France managing director Thierry Chassagne and concert promoter Philippe Maher of SDG Warhead, is planning to recommend a series of major changes in the French government's policy toward music. A report, obtained by Bulletin, will be presented in September to minister of culture Catherine Trautmann. Among its recommendations are the creation of a National Center for Music, the establishment of a set retail price for records, the adoption of a value added tax rate on records similar to that on books, financial incentives to support independent retailers and labels, and more flexible laws governing radio quotas for French music.

--Emmanuel Legrand, Paris


Wilson Joins Asylum

Walt Wilson, who has been working as a consultant since leaving his post as Capitol Nashville executive VP/GM in November 1996, is joining Asylum Records in a senior sales and marketing position. Based in Nashville, he reports to label president Evelyn Shriver.

--Chet Flippo, Nashville


SFX Buys Cellar Door In $100 Million Deal

The Cellar Door Companies is the latest concert promoter to be snapped up by SFX Entertainment. The companies yesterday reached an agreement in principle for SFX to acquire Cellar Door for more than $100 million in cash and stock.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based Cellar Door is a leading promoter in the Southeast and Midwest; it owns and operates venues from Virginia to Florida, as well as in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio. The move gives SFX newfound access to two major markets, Detroit and Washington, D.C.

Jack Boyle, founder and chairman of Cellar Door, will join SFX to run its music group.



WEA Ups Two Veterans

WEA Corp. has promoted two longtime employees. George Rossi, former executive VP of sales and marketing, is now executive VP/GM of the company. Fran Aliberte, former senior VP of music sales, is now executive VP of sales. Both are based in L.A., where they report to WEA Inc. chairman/CEO Dave Mount.


Ticketmaster Online Pairs With Web Firm CitySearch

Ticketmaster Online, which sells more than $10 million worth of tickets per month, is merging with CitySearch Inc., a company that publishes guides to local arts and entertainment on the Internet. The merged company, Ticketmaster Online-CitySearch, is expected to make a public offering of stock in the fourth quarter. The new entity will be headed by CEO Charles Conn, now CEO of CitySearch, and chairman Alan Citron, president of USA Networks Interactive.

Terry Barnes, president/CEO of Ticketmaster Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of USA Networks Inc., says, "This will create a benefit for the consumer, who can now buy tickets online and get content, including reviews and tour information...For the client, it's a huge opportunity for promotions, sponsorships, and marketing surrounding the shows."

USA Networks will provide $50 million to the new company, in the form of a convertible note, to fund operations until the public offering. After the IPO, USA Networks will own 62.5% of the new firm; shareholders will own the rest.

--Don Jeffrey, N.Y.



Woodstock Anniversary Spawns Concerts In '99

Two concerts celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Woodstock festival, "Woodstock 1999--One World," will take place next year in Europe and the U.S. Michael Lang, who produced the original event along with partners Joel Rosenman and John Roberts, says his company Woodstock Ventures has secured a site outside of Vienna. "Austria is in the center of the continent," he says, "and we want to make this event very available to [Eastern Europeans]."

John Scher, CEO of Metropolitan Entertainment, a partner in the project, says four sites in upstate New York are being considered. "It won't necessarily be in Saugerties, N.Y., where the last one was held," he adds. Woodstock Ventures and Metropolitan also produced Woodstock '94.

In addition, Scher says the show may be held during the last week in July or first week in August because of weather patterns that indicate a strong likelihood of rain the second and third weekends of August. It rained heavily at the original Woodstock and Woodstock '94.

--Melinda Newman, N.Y.



Swedish Web Retailer Plans European Expansion

Swedish online retailer Boxman is planning to roll out its service into 11 other European territories. The first launch will be in Norway on Aug. 20 (www.boxman.no); subsequent sites are planned for the U.K., Germany, Finland, and Denmark, among others. Plans call for the setting up of local offices in each territory, with each Web site posted in the local language. In Norway, orders will be fulfilled by Music Service Oslo, a joint venture between BMG, EMI, PolyGram, and Arcade, while product will range from 99-129 krone ($13.00-$17.00) including tax, excluding postage; chart albums normally retail at 189 krone ($25).

Boxman distributes music, video, DVDs, and games. Jan Carlzon, former president of the SAS airline, is its chairman.

--Kai Lofthus, Oslo



McEntire, Adkins To Get U.K. Push

Reba McEntire and Trace Adkins will be the next Nashville stars to launch an assault on the U.K. McEntire, who has never charted in Britain, will make a rare promotional trip to the territory in early September to promote an MCA Nashville compilation, "Moments & Memories--The Very Best Of Reba McEntire," due Sept. 28 in the U.K. The album will not have a U.S. release.

Meanwhile, Capitol Nashville artist Adkins will have his first U.K. release Monday with "Big Time." The title is in its 42nd week on Top Country Albums.

--Paul Sexton, London


Los Angeles Cafe Forms Label

Licensing consultant and artist manager Bill Carlton and Rich Brenner, the booker and owner of L.A. cafe Highland Grounds, have announced the formation of Highland Sounds Records. The label's first project, "High And Lonesome," an EP by the Southern California group Little Rooms, is currently available at the restaurant and some local outlets. The duo is seeking national and international distribution.

--Carrie Bell, L.A.