IFPI confirms global release day talks

Global music business trade body the IFPI has confirmed discussions are underway with multiple stakeholders for a simultaneous global release day to be put in place by next August.

Different countries currently operate different release days. This has proved particularly problematic in Australia, where singles and albums are released on a Friday, the weekend before most other territories. Consequently, many releases are uploaded to file-sharing sites in Australia, ahead of their appearance on legitimate platforms elsewhere. Coupled with the unusually high propensity for file-sharing in Australia, it is hoped a global release day can stem this dilemma.

In a statement, the IFPI said, “A new global release day will allow all fans to access new music on the same day, creating new communities, engagement and excitement about music launches and allowing artists to plan and think big. A band will be able to tell all their fans, wherever they are around the world, that their album is out on one day.”

Current thinking is that albums and singles will be released on Fridays at 00:01 local time around the world from next summer.

Frances Moore, CEO of IFPI, added, "Moving to a global release day will help to rekindle excitement around launching new music, allowing for truly global campaigns, bringing fans around the world closer than ever to their favourite artists. That is why IFPI supports a global release day."