• Investment bank Crosby Capital Partners is preparing a counterbid for Sanctuary Music Group. Last week Sanctuary accepted a takeover bid from Universal Music Group. (The Guardian)

• In a victory over rival format HD DVD, Blockbuster said it will favor Blu-Ray DH discs. (Reuters)

• Paul McCartney's new album sold 161,000 copies in its first week of release. Over 60% of those sales came from "non-traditional" stores, which includes download stores (iTunes, eMusic), online CD sellers (Amazon.com) and non-traditional brick-and-mortar retail (Starbucks). Since digital accounted for only 10% of sales, the bulk -- roughly 81,000 units -- of the non-traditional number can be attributed to Starbucks sales. (Pop Machine Blog, via Digital Audio Insider)

• How much did ousted EMI Music chief Alain Levy get on his way out the door? £4.6 million (US$9.09 million). (The Guardian)

• David Ring has been named EVP of business development and business affairs for Universal Music Group's eLabs, the division that handles the company's online and mobile sales as well as new media opportunities. (Variety)

• A profile on Belgian label Crammed Discs, home of Bebel Gilberto, Cibelle, Kocani Orkestar and Konono No. 1. (AP)