It is time to embrace singles change: everyone can benefit as the format evolves into a multi-platform, 1 [pounds sterling]-a-track product.(Editorial)

We have written endlessly about the state of the singles market over the past year. And rightly so.

It is a part of our business which means a lot to all of us and should mean a lot in the future, whatever the means of delivery. That is why the decisions which are taken about the environment in which it will exist are crucial. They will be tough decisions, but there is no room to shy away from them.

The good news is that there appears to be a high degree of consensus. There will always be some disagreement, but the area of agreement is what we should be focussing on.

The two-track CD retailing at 1.99 [pounds sterling] is crucial. The early signs are that, if labels and retailers embrace this concept, consumers will too. A 2 [pounds sterling] package--even if it is accompanied by a slightly beefier package, with added extras, for an extra pound--will also usher consumers into the quid-a-track concept. And that can only be good news as we move, inexorably towards a download singles culture.

There will be plenty of retailers fearing the arrival of downloads, but they needn't necessarily. Let's not kid ourselves. Without the download, the single is heading towards a ...