Sony BMG Germany is attempting to revive the countrys’ flagging singles market with the launch next month of a standard two-track CD single.
Gun Label Group-signed Die Happy will on August 12 mark the first release of the 2-track disc format with the single “Big Big Trouble.” At the same time, the band will release a premium “maxi” single containing five tracks.
The new chart-eligible two-track disc will retail for a recommended price of €2.99 ($3.56). The titles will complement the premium “maxi” single format, which typically contains 3-7 titles and costs €6-7 ($7.15-8.34).
Until now, the “maxi” format has controlled about 80-90% of the Germany market.
Shipments of singles in Germany dropped to 21.3 million units in 2004, down 13% from the previous year, according to labels’ body BPW.
