• Citigroup is optimistic for the second half of 2006, upgrades EMI to "buy" from "hold." (Read article at NewRatings.com)

• Newsweek's Brad Stones asks of YouTube: "Is it worth a billion dollars, or is it just another company in need of a business model?" He covers the usual Warner Music Group v. Universal Music Group angle, then digs into what one analyst called YouTube's "winner's curse." (Read article at Newsweek)

• Here's a mobile music news bit that I actually find interesting: Motorola iRadio will preview J Records/Arista Records albums. The first offering is Monica's latest single, "Everytime Tha Beat Drop," and other songs from her album The Makings of Me. (Read Press Release)

• Bridge Ratings reports "sluggish" satellite radio sales, especially to the youth market. The research company has lowered its third quarter estimates for new subscriber acquisitions. (Read article at Radio & Records)

• Napster and Tower Records Japan introduced the first subscription-based service for the Japan market. NTT DoCoMo will offer the service to mobile subscribers. The service offers over 1.5 million songs. (Read press release)

• The tail just gets longer and longer: Shout! Factory will release two catalogs, Biograph (early jazz and blues) and Black Top (blues), comprising 10,000 tracks through digital distributor Digital Music Group.

[music jobs] Brand and Online Marketing Manager at The Ascot Club/Am Only; Brooklyn, NY.