The safe profits in bland boy bands

Is boy band One Direction like something from 1970s Sunday night TV?

On the face of it, the five members of British boy band One Direction have it all. Young, rich and surrounded by legions of female fans wherever they go, the group is one of the few recent British bands to crack America'. As Matt Rudd and Francesca Angelini put it in The Sunday Times, "in terms of record sales, Twitter and all-round hormonal hype, One Direction are now the biggest band in the world". If, like me, you were blissfully unaware of the rise of this group, they were formed via TV talent show The X-Factor.

Whatever their musical prowess, their money-making abilities US magazine Business Insider estimates the group will have sold $1bn worth of music, sponsorship and merchandise by the end of the year are undeniably impressive.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up
MoneyWeek

MoneyWeek is written by a team of experienced and award-winning journalists, plus expert columnists. As well as daily digital news and features, MoneyWeek also publishes a weekly magazine, covering investing and personal finance. From share tips, pensions, gold to practical investment tips - we provide a round-up to help you make money and keep it.