Radiohead's flexible business model

While doing research for my exploration of new music business models appropriate for the developing digital and online environment, I found countless articles on Radiohead's recent album "In Rainbows"



They released their third album at first only on their official website, available for download "pay-what-you-like" and then released in hard-copy cds and premium box sets.


This album sold more copies (in every form) than all of their previous albums combined, 3 mil total. (not to mention bit torrent and limewire) Their hard-copy album sales, surprisingly, made up more than half, 1.75 mil. which is also more than each of their other albums. They also sold 100,000 box sets, at 40 euros a piece. This is a clear indication that the market is shifting, as well as larger currents of social organization around production/consumption. This is the flexibility that will determine who survives these changes.