Digital music now outselling CDs and records
31 May 2012
It was only a matter of time – sales of digital music have finally overtaken those of physical formats such as CD and vinyl.
The latest figures released by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) show that digital sales accounted for more than half (55.8%) of the £155.8m spent on music in the UK during the first quarter of 2012.
Income from digital sales has risen by nearly a quarter year-on-year to £86.5m, while revenue from CDs and vinyl dropped by 15% to £69.3m.
BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor says the results represent a "significant milestone in the evolution of the music business".
The best selling digital albums during the first quarter of 2012 were:
- 1 Born To Die by Lana Del Rey
- 2 Our Version of Events by Emile Sande
- 3 + by Ed Sheeran
Taking into account digital and physical album sales combined, the best sellers were:
- 1 21 by Adele
- 2 Born To Die by Lana Del Rey
- 3 Our Version of Events by Emile Sande
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Comments
I agree, but this is not what is being sold!!!!!!
I ve never even used vinyl, but the recording of most cds is shocking and digital downloads are even worse. Its amazing that record companies think piracy is the problem, they have been selling a bad product for years
chasefrench, i beg to differ! A Linn DS or Naim product fed with a 192Khz 24bit source will sound better than a top notch LP12.
I agree that CD does not compete with good quality vinyl.
CDs are, um...nevermind.
Pity the digital stuff sounds rubbish