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08 Apr 2004
Global music sales fell 7.6 per cent last year, the fourth consecutive annual drop, with digital and physical piracy and competition taking the blame.
Figures released by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) revealed that the decline affected virtually all major markets, with western Europe showing particularly sharp falls compared to recent years.
Further reading
The industry has suffered a decline of 20 per cent over the past three years.
Internet piracy remains a very significant factor in the decline, according to the IFPI, which argues that this research proves overwhelmingly that unauthorised file-sharing translates directly into lost music retail sales.
However, the recording industry is making significant progress in creating its own online music business, with US-based services racking up 19.2 million legitimate downloads in the second half of 2003.
In Europe, around 30 legitimate services offered upwards of 300,000 tracks for download in 2003.
Online sales of physical CDs also continued an upward trend, with an increase in the US from 3.4 to five per cent in volume, and in the UK from 5.6 to 6.6 per cent of total units.
"Global music sales had another difficult year in 2003 under the combined effects of digital and physical piracy and competition from other entertainment products," said Jay Berman, chairman of the IFPI.
"Looking to the future, the recording industry is responding on several fronts. Record companies are making available a large volume of music catalogue for consumers to access online.
"At the same time they are stepping up the fight decisively against online piracy, starting legal actions against illegal file sharing that will be extended in the coming months."
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Do you agree?
Music just isn't music anymore
The reason I stopped buying CD's is the same reason I stopped going to the movies, they just aren't good anymore. Hollywood has forgotten how to make a good movie and the music industry has forgotten how to make a good CD. You can only lower the standards so much before people stop spending and stop listening. I only listen to and watch alternative stuff now which is getting better and better.
Posted by: Cari 05 May 2006
Looking in the wrong place...
Music sales are down becuase spending on mobile phones is up - it's obvious! Yes the kids of today get hold of "illegal" music, but they still spend if the album/single is good enough. But if they have a mobile "habit" of £15-25 per month, then of course this money can't be spent twice!
Posted by: R Edwards 30 Sep 2005
Music business is in a coma
Until the music business becomes the "music business" again, the slumps will go on and on. Part of that is letting go of the lies about so-called rap "music," and coming to realize that it is by and large a part of the larger urban centers' cultural underground -- as it has been for a long, long time -- and is unlikely to ever garner widespread, mainstream acceptance. The stories continue as rap "artists" are routinely murdered or are picked up on suspicion of murder. Others are openly participating in the production of porn videos, among other activities. And those numbers....2003 Sound Scan revealed that despite having 40% of supposed "hits" that year, and 27% of all radio stations in America (the lion's share), actual rap sales were an abysmal 13%. As for piracy being the culprit, record labels might do well to consider the lack of A&R saavy among its far too young, far too inexperienced, far too tech addicted and spreadsheet devoted artist developers. Where is Clive Davis when you need him? The likes of him are probably never going to be seen again at the A&R level. Similarly, giant acts the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, Janis Joplin, Chicago, Blood, Sweat & Tears and Bruce Springsteen are not going to be seen either. Twenty years down the road, there will NOT be an 800 number to dial, nor will Time-Life be presenting the all time hits of Britney Spears, Kanye West, Outkast, L'il Kim or Snoop Dogg. What artists will be recalled will mostly be found in collections -- many one hit wonders included -- and even then, will see only tepid sales. A few, like Celine Dion, Garth Brooks and Kiss, will be remembered for career achievements, having grown with their audiences or just simply being consistent in their offerings. Why does anyone think that the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith simply won't die? Answer: Because no one wants them to. They still deliver the goods. Piracy? Bunk. If it isn't selling, it isn't being stolen either. More importantly, what is being stolen isn't being kept. We live in an era of "throw away" music based more on style and peer pressure than artistic excellence. As Dave Marsh once remarked, part of the fun of music, once upon a time, was being able to tell the good stuff from the crap and being part of the group of people that did. What is good in 2005 shows up as much in contrast to what isn't good as because it IS good. Music, and the artists who produce it, who cannot grow with their audiences in age and tastes, cannot survive. The one clear answer to the issue of piracy -- with the genie out of the bottle, digitally speaking -- is to return to vinyl. That's right, return to 33-1/3 RPM 180 gram vinyl recordings, with new state of the art turntables with laser reading devices that play both old and new records with similar results. VINYL CANNOT BE DOWNLOADED. And to produce a digital copy -- assuming someone wants more than one for their own use, which could be provided in a multi-pak format for an additional price point -- someone has to go to some serious trouble to steal the tracks. But unlike today's market, they would have less to offer if the industry brought back vinyl in new form, complete with artwork, liner notes big enough to read, photos and, yes, even posters. All the music pirates would have to offer is....tracks. Most of us who have been in this business for long know that the primary motive of labels to kill vinyl in favor of CD was the problem in getting the single unit price of LPs past the magic $10 price point. Those that tried, died. Vinyl and CD were selling level when vinyl was pulled. People, like me, were buying vinyl for home, with the far better sound quality, and CD for travel. Give those two formats back to people in ONE package at a price favorable to the music industry, along with new tech versions of the turntable, and watch the pirates cry. Even if piracy continued, how do you offer the other items that come along for the ride in a multi-pak format? Not to mention the fact that in order to steal tracks, all those interested in piracy must now buy turntables! And while the industry considers such a radical thought, would it be too much to ask for A&R departments to hire people who are listening to record buyers, and are developing acts that can sell a CD and draw an audience? Continuing to do the same thing looking for a new result is the definition of insanity.
Posted by: Ricky David Tripp 29 Sep 2005