Its characters may feel like a bunch of unloved high-school misfits, but the quirky musical TV comedy "Glee" is putting smiles on the faces of music industry executives searching for new revenue in an era of plunging album sales.

Its characters may feel like a bunch of unloved high-school misfits, but the quirky musical TV comedy "Glee" is putting smiles on the faces of music industry executives searching for new revenue in an era of plunging album sales.

Google will launch music search pages next week that will come with the ability to purchase songs for download.

Google Inc on Wednesday partnered with Web services Lala and MySpace's iLike to give music fans an easier way to find, sample and buy songs on the Internet, expanding its music industry footprint.

There was a time when most aspiring musicians had the same dream: to sign a deal with a major record label. Now, with the structure of the music business shifting radically, some industry iconoclasts are sidestepping the music giants and inventing new ways for artists to make and market their music — without ever signing a traditional recording contract.

In the current economic climate, with C-level executives in every type of business wanting to wring every penny from their corporate processes, sustainability means finding ways to reduce, reuse, and repurpose anything along their supply chain, leading hopefully to a leaner, cleaner—and greener—operation.

With CD sales dropping fast, it is not hard to imagine how the major music labels could benefit from the growth of Web start-ups like Imeem. The company’s service lets people listen to songs, discover new artists and share their favorites with friends. And in return, Imeem owes the labels licensing fees for use of the music, the New York Times reports.