New rules for UK CD singles
The strict UK rule about CD-single content is about to change. This means that future Madonna UK single releases could feature more tracks than the standard 3 they can have now on each single of the cd1 and cd2 sets.
A new format is also introduced in the Uk Market. It’s the two track cd, a low price issue that is usually known as “cd 2 titres“, as France is the country that made it popular and that it’s the cd equivalent of the old 2 track 7″ single.
The new 2 track cd must follow the following rules:
Two audio tracks only, no more than 10 minutes in total, standardised singles jewel case packaging, no free gifts or extras, lower minimum dealer price. The 2 Track single can be introduced in the market immediately, so there will probably be a Madonna – Nothing fails 2 track on the Uk market.
The addition of the two-track CD single to the list of format options for singles means the existing CD single effectively becomes a “maxi” CD.
New content rules for this Maxi take effect from January 1, 2004.
Current maximum of three tracks will in addition be able to feature remixes of those tracks so long as they remain within the currently-acknowledged time limit of 20 minutes.
Singles which solely feature a lead track plus multiple remixes of the same track will be able to run for up to 40 minutes. The current limit of one video will increase to two.
Singles will, for the first time, be able to feature weblinks with an extension of the rule which currently allows them on albums. These rules also extend to the DVD single format.
Source: BPI news