2006 Album Sales Plunge; Downloads Way Up
U.S. album sales continued to decline in 2006,
down nearly 5 percent from the previous year, but total music sales were up
thanks to a huge increase in digital downloads.
U.S. album sales continued to decline in 2006, down
nearly 5 percent from the previous year, but total music sales were up thanks to
a huge increase in digital
downloads.
But digital sales increased by 65 percent over the previous year, with 582 million tracks sold, and digital album sales more than doubled, with nearly 33 million sold.
Billboard magazine senior correspondent Brian Garrity said consumers are buying more single songs and fewer albums, and that makes it harder for the record industry to maintain profits.
“At the end of the day, pop music is a singles driven business, so why would I want to buy a whole album?” Garrity said.
Larry Kenswil, president of Universal Music Group’s global digital division, said companies are looking at new ways to profit from digital downloads.
Gee whiz! Do you think Kenswil and his bubbas will stop trying to counter the decline in album profits by suing consumers?
But digital sales increased by 65 percent over the previous year, with 582 million tracks sold, and digital album sales more than doubled, with nearly 33 million sold.
Billboard magazine senior correspondent Brian Garrity said consumers are buying more single songs and fewer albums, and that makes it harder for the record industry to maintain profits.
“At the end of the day, pop music is a singles driven business, so why would I want to buy a whole album?” Garrity said.
Larry Kenswil, president of Universal Music Group’s global digital division, said companies are looking at new ways to profit from digital downloads.
Gee whiz! Do you think Kenswil and his bubbas will stop trying to counter the decline in album profits by suing consumers?
Posted: Fri - January 5, 2007 at 11:26 AM