| I'm a huge fan of reality shows. The most | | | | of technology and mp3's are the format of |
| recent one I've been following is Rockstar | | | | choice. So why aren't there more channels |
| INXS - the show which follows the super 80's | | | | available to the Asian markets?So, what did I |
| Australian band, INXS, and their search for a | | | | end up doing? I did what MSN support told me |
| new lead singer.If you haven't seen it, it's | | | | to do, visit other regional MSN sites like |
| a great show, the music and performances are | | | | Singapore and Australia to see whether I |
| incredible (blows American Idol or any Idol | | | | could find the music there. I found music but |
| show out of the water). The other great thing | | | | not the Rockstar songs from the show I was |
| about this show is that the voting (everyone | | | | looking for. Getting a little frustrated and |
| gets to vote for their favourite singer) | | | | agitated at the fact they really didn't want |
| let's people all over the world vote for | | | | to make money off me by making it EXTREMELY |
| their favourite singer where most other shows | | | | difficult for me to buy from them.After all |
| restrict interactions to American audiences | | | | this, there is a point I'm trying to make |
| only.Of course, after each show is over, the | | | | (actually two points):I'm sure the artists |
| music is available to download from the MSN | | | | and the producers of the show could have made |
| music site. So, after hearing some great | | | | double, three times maybe even ten times the |
| music, I quickly logged on and went straight | | | | sales they made if they made the song |
| to the MSN music site and decided to PAY FOR | | | | downloads available to the rest of the world |
| the music downloads. I was more than happy to | | | | or at least to the other markets that the |
| contribute and give these deserving artists | | | | show was playing in (i.e. Australia, |
| what they deserved.But guess what? The music | | | | Philippines, Hong Kong, etc) - Lesson to be |
| downloads are only available to US audiences! | | | | learned: Don't make it difficult for your |
| I quickly contacted MSN support, "Where can | | | | customers or potential customers to buy from |
| someone outside of the US buy this music?" | | | | youPiracy and intellectual property |
| They quickly and politely replied and said | | | | infringement IS a problem in Asia. However, |
| that it is presently only available to the US | | | | it could be less of a problem if companies |
| market but music will be available in other | | | | would understand that a normal person in |
| markets later. Later? How much later? The | | | | Mumbai, Bangkok or Beijing isn't going to pay |
| shows already over!Look at iTunes, that's | | | | (or afford to pay) US$20+ for a CD. On the |
| only available to US, Canada and the UK as | | | | other hand US$0.99 per song download sounds |
| well. What about the rest of the world?It's | | | | reasonable and most people could afford that, |
| kind of strange when I hear complaints about | | | | assuming they had internet access, but |
| the piracy problem in Asia, not to say there | | | | without a reasonable access channel to these |
| isn't, but companies aren't helping | | | | affordable alternatives where else are they |
| themselves if they don't make legitimate | | | | supposed to go to satisfy their demand? |
| copies available from the right channels. | | | | |
| Where else are consumers supposed to turn to | | | | Wayne Po is the founder and publisher of ( |
| if they have no legitimate outlet to buy | | | | an online magazine helping overseas |
| from?Let's face it, CDs are so 90's. Not to | | | | businesses who want to expand and do business |
| mention expensive. Asia is at the forefront | | | | in Asia. |