In reply to DIABETES UNBOTHERED.

I think it was actually Jay-Z (and before that, U2 & Lady GaGa) who changed the way music is released worldwide forever. That is to say that all three of those artists recognized and capitalized on the growing trend of consumers buying digital releases versus physical releases. As well as honing in on just how a growing number of consumers actually listened to their music, which was on-the-go via phone, iPod, car, tablet, & laptop. I think it was last year that was the first year that digital sales outnumbered physical sales of albums.

I did read what Billboard had to say about the Friday album release change, and nowhere did I read anything about Beyonce. They did mention, however, the disparities between release dates overseas and in the U.S. and how that contributed to pirating and campaign/release disruptions. They were trying to curb that. So they put EVERYBODY on the SAME release schedule WORLDWIDE so that it would lessen rollout disruptions and pirating. As well as get all digital retailers equal footing with synchronized releases.