The recording industry has finally adopted a global release standard

The recording industry already has a release day standard, but it varies from country to country. Now, after several months of bickering, the industry has finally adopted a global standard that will see all future albums released on a Friday, a change that will go into effect later in the summer. Critics of the move are worried that it will further marginalize unknown artists that are already having a hard time selling their albums. 

After seven months of semi-public back-and-forth, a conversation instigated in part by Aussie piracy and Beyonce’s surprise release in December of 2013 has resulted in the global recording industry accepting Friday as the release date for new albums. As reported in August, the shift will take place this summer. According to a statement from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which represents labels worldwide, a study found that a majority of consumers who bother to care which day new music comes out prefer to hear it on Fridays and Saturdays. “Music fans live in the digital world of today,” wrote IFPI head Frances Moore. “Their love for new music doesn’t recognise national borders. They want music when it’s available on the internet — not when it’s ready to be released in their country. An aligned global release day puts an end to the frustration of not being able to access releases in their country when the music is available in another country.”