PaidContent has a bit of information about ManiaTV‘s latest venture, an attempt to reinvent what it means to be a music label:
it’s jumping into the music business with a new show called Making the Music, which effectively seeks to take over the role long played by the music labels. The original series is focused on hip-hop producer Scoop Deville as he works on a new album—and maniaTV will get a cut of the revenues once the LP is released.
The idea is that Scoop et. al. will be able to use the social media aspects of show as a way to test-market and hone their final product. Of course, this only works if people tune in and get involved.
I am always interested in new takes on music production and promotion and this is certainly an intriguing idea. One does have to wonder, with LP sales decreasing pretty steadily, if getting a cut of the record sales is really worth all that much. Maybe they are cut into the other potential revenue streams such as licensing, touring and merchandising?