Topic: Catalog

A personal anecdote about a recently delivered bedroom chair highlighted how shrinkflation has extended to furniture, with the item arriving significantly smaller than depicted in the catalog. This phenomenon is compared to the 1970s oil crisis, which saw the downsizing of American vehicles like Cadillacs and the rise of the Ford Pinto. The segment predicted a similar shift toward smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles or even "bug-eating" as economic pressures mount.

Bruce Springsteen has sold his entire music catalog and publishing rights to Sony for an estimated $500 million. This deal follows a similar trend by artists like David Bowie, though Springsteen's payout is significantly higher. The sale means Springsteen's music will likely be used in widespread commercial advertising, and he may even have to pay royalties to perform his own songs.

Archival audio from 2002 features Michael Jackson accusing Sony Music and executive Tommy Mottola of attempting to destroy his career to gain control of his publishing assets. Jackson highlights his ownership of half of Sony's publishing catalog as the primary motive for the industry's hostility toward him.

Appearing on "The View," La Toya Jackson reiterated her belief that her brother Michael Jackson was murdered for his valuable music publishing catalog. The catalog includes a majority of the Beatles' songs, which were recently released in digital format and for the "Rock Band" video game. The discussion suggests that the entertainment industry and concert promoters like AEG had significant financial motives for Jackson's death, including insurance payouts.

The upcoming launch of the streaming service Hulu faces skepticism regarding the value of network back catalogs compared to timely episode access. Access to the beta version appears restricted to specific media insiders and "shills," leading to concerns about manufactured positive PR. Critics argue the platform's success is uncertain as audiences shift their viewing habits toward online environments.