Since 2007, it appears that the physical revenue of the music industry in France has been decreasing. In contrast, the digital revenue of the music industry continues to increase. In 2023, digital revenues recorded a revenue of *** million euros. In 2027, the digital music revenue is expected to reach more than *** billion U.S. dollars. The rise of digital music over physical revenue In 2007, the revenue of physical music amounted to *** million euros. Ten years later, the number went down to reach *** million euros. This important decrease was followed by an impressive increase of the revenue of digital music in the country, which exceeded the revenue of the physical music market that same year for the first time. Indeed, from **** million euros of revenue in 2007, digital music grew over the years to reach a turnover of *** million euros in 2017. Similarly, the sales volume of music albums in stores in France has been decreasing over the past few years, while music streaming is becoming more popular with each passing year among consumers. Music streaming in France Online music streaming is becoming more and more popular. In 2018, around ** percent of French consumers declared streaming music daily. The number of digital music users is expected to increase in the coming years. Those users seem to favor streaming compared to downloading, and online music streaming platforms like Deezer, Apple Music or Spotify are now used by a majority of French people.

In 2024, a total of 32.9 million physical CDs were shipped in the United States. However, this figure marks a considerable decrease from a decade earlier, when shipments were still above 100 million. More than 900 million CDs were shipped in the United States at the turn of the millenium, but the product has experienced a large decline in popularity in general since. Physical music sales Seen as the successor to vinyl records and cassette tapes, compact discs or CDs were one of the most popular prerecorded music formats for much of the 1990s and early 2000s. Competition, first in the form of digital music formats and then streaming, has led to a massive decline in total album sales, with the CD format being hit particularly hard. For five years now, music streaming revenue accounted for over 80 percent of total industry revenue partially thanks to the ability of these platforms to provide users with instant access to an endless online library of music which can be enjoyed via any device at any time. While most physical album sales have suffered, vinyl albums have experienced a resurgence in recent years. The format’s total sales figures increased significantly in each year since 2010.

Global Sheet Music market size was $389.4 Million in 2022. Sheet Music Industry's Compound Annual Growth Rate will be 0.02% from 2023 to 2030. What is Driving Sheet Music Market Growth?

Increasing popularity of live music entertainment

The increasing popularity of live music entertainment is a key driving factor contributing to the demand for the sheet music market. The increasing number of genres and musicians is ultimately creating a significant impact on the sheet music market. For example, the global music industry is worth over USD 50 billion, in 2020, with two major income streams. Where live music, makes up over 50% of total revenues and is resultant mainly from sales of tickets to live music performances. Live music performances lead to increased interest in the music being performed, and this can lead to increased demand for sheet music. A popular band or artist performs a new song live for the audience, so they want to learn how to play that song themselves. This can result in increased sales of sheet music for that song. Live music performances can serve as a platform for promoting sheet music. Musicians can sell sheet music at their live shows or promote it through merchandise sales. Additionally, performances can generate excitement for new sheet music releases which lead to increased sales. The popularity of live music entertainment can also result in increased interest in music education, as more people become involved in learning to play musical instruments. They are increasingly required to sheet music to practice and improve their skills. All these aforementioned factors are positively influencing the growth of the sheet music market.

Surge in digital music platforms (Access Detailed Analysis in the Full Report Version)

Digital platforms have transformed the way sheet music is accessed, shared, and learned. Websites and mobile applications such as Musicnotes, Musescore, and Sheet Music Plus provide vast libraries of downloadable content, tutorials, and interactive learning resources. This transition to online platforms has broadened the market on a global scale, reaching enthusiasts in distant areas. It also facilitates immediate access to the sheet music of trending songs, enhancing responsiveness to new releases and live performances, thus maintaining a steady demand among tech-savvy musicians and students.

Rising Interest in Music Education

The sheet music market greatly benefits from the increasing global interest in structured music education. Educational institutions, online courses, and private lessons necessitate printed or digital sheet music as a crucial learning resource. With a growing number of parents enrolling their children in music classes and adults engaging in musical hobbies during their leisure time or retirement, sheet music becomes vital for practice and advancement. Additionally, government support for arts education and community music initiatives further strengthens the significance of sheet music in educational settings.

Key Restraints of live music entertainment

Copyright and Licensing Challenges

The sheet music industry frequently encounters obstacles related to copyright regulations, which restrict the accessibility and affordability of authorized transcriptions. The unauthorized distribution through piracy or unlicensed platforms diminishes revenue for both publishers and creators. Additionally, stringent licensing laws can hinder musicians from publicly performing or teaching with specific sheet music. This limitation discourages some educators, learners, and performers from acquiring official versions, thereby decreasing the potential market size and complicating international sales and distribution.

Decline in Traditional Print Media

Although digital access is on the rise, the demand for traditional printed sheet music is diminishing. A significant number of older consumers and institutions continue to depend on print; however, increasing production costs and distribution challenges are rendering printed sheet music less feasible. Environmental concerns, along with the transition to digital devices such as tablets for musicians, further diminish the demand for physical copies. This trend compels publishers to either adapt to digital formats or face the risk of obsolescence, leading to transitional difficulties in logistics and profitability.

Limited Reach in Emerging M...

In recent years, the Danish music industry revenue increased, amounting to roughly *** billion Danish kroner in 2017. By contrast, the revenue was **** billion Danish kroner five years earlier. Moreover, according to another source, the music industry value is projected to continuously grow in the following five years.

Live vs. recorded music in Denmark The revenue displayed here includes recorded and live music income. Comparing both segments, the latter is the most valuable in Denmark, at roughly **** billion Danish kroner as of 2017. Recorded music generated nearly *** million Danish kroner less that year. However, while the recorded music revenue in the country was forecasted to increase in the following five years, live music was expected to decline its income in the same period.

Digitalization of the music industry

As in other media areas, digital music is further on advance, too. In 2017, streaming accounted for the highest proportion of recorded music revenue in Denmark. Additionally, the digital share of the whole Danish music industry highly increased in the past years and amounted to more than ** percent as of 2018.

US Recorded Music Revenues by Format

US Recorded Music Revenues by Format in 2019 (Inflation Adjusted)

By Throwback Thursday [source]

About this dataset

This dataset contains comprehensive information about the US recorded music industry in 2019 Week 10. It includes details on the various formats of recorded music, such as CDs, vinyl records, digital downloads, and more. The dataset also provides data on the respective years in which these records were made, allowing for accurate historical comparison and analysis.

Key metrics provided include the number of units sold for each format, as well as corresponding revenue generated from their sales. In addition to the raw revenue figures, this dataset offers an extra column that presents inflation-adjusted revenue values. These adjusted figures take into account changes in purchasing power over time and enable a fair comparison of different years' revenues.

Overall, this dataset offers valuable insights into the US recorded music industry's performance in terms of format popularity and economic gains throughout a specific week in 2019. Researchers, analysts, and music professionals can utilize this comprehensive dataset to explore trends within specific formats while considering both absolute revenue and inflation-adjusted figures

How to use the dataset

Introduction:

• Understanding the Columns: a) Format: This column categorizes the format of the recorded music, such as CD, vinyl, digital download, etc. b) Year: This column represents the year in which the data was recorded. c) Units: The number of units sold for a particular format of recorded music. d) Revenue: The revenue generated from sales for a specific format. e) Revenue (Inflation Adjusted): The column that shows revenue adjusted for inflation.

• Analyzing Formats: By exploring and analyzing the Format column in this dataset, you can gain insights into changing consumer preferences over time. You can identify which formats have gained popularity or declined over different years or periods.

• Understanding Revenue Generation: To understand revenue patterns in relation to various formats and years, analyze both Revenue and Revenue (Inflation Adjusted) columns separately. Comparing these two columns will help you assess changes due to inflation accurately.

• Exploring Units Sold: The column Units provides insight into how many units were sold for each format within a specific year or period. Analyzing this data helps understand consumer demand across various formats.

• Calculating Inflation-Adjusted Revenue: Utilize the Revenue (Inflation Adjusted) column when analyzing long-term trends or comparisons across different periods without worrying about how inflation affects purchasing power over time.

• Comparing Multiple Years or Periods: This dataset includes information specifically for 2019 Week 10. However, you can use this dataset in conjunction with other datasets covering different years to compare revenue, units sold, and format performance across multiple years.

• Creating Visualizations: Visualizations such as line charts or bar graphs can help represent patterns and trends more comprehensively. Consider creating visualizations based on formats over multiple years or comparing revenue generated by different formats.

• Deriving Insights: Make use of the information provided to identify trends, understand customer preferences, and make informed decisions related to marketing strategies or product offerings in the music industry.

Conclusion:

Research Ideas

• Analyzing the impact of different music formats on revenue: This dataset provides information on the revenue and units sold for different recorded music formats such as CDs, vinyl, and digital downloads. By analyzing this data, one can identify which format generates the highest revenue and understand how consumer preferences have shifted over time.
• Tracking changes in purchasing power over time: The dataset includes both revenue and inflation-adjusted revenue figures, allowing for a comparison of how purchasing power has changed over the years. This can be useful in understanding trends in consumer spending habits or evaluating the success of marketing campaigns.
• Assessing market performance by year: With data on both units sold and revenue by year, this dataset can be used to assess the overall performance of the US recorded music industry over time. By comparing different years, one can identify periods of growth or decline and gain insights into factors driving these changes, such as technological advancements or shifts in consumer behavior

Acknowledgements

&...

In 2024, physical music sales generated *** billion U.S. dollars, whereas digital music sales made *** billion worldwide. The majority of global music revenue now comes from streaming, and accounted for more than ** billion U.S. dollars in total industry revenue in 2024.

Online streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Spotify are driving a transition in the home entertainment market; consumers are increasingly shifting away from physical discs like CDs and DVDs to digital formats, hitting music and video record retailers’ sales. Streaming services’ subscription model offers customers access to an extensive content library at a low cost, making DVD purchases less appealing, especially as people often only watch things once. The industry is experiencing a steady decline in revenue, particularly in Italy and Spain, as more people shift from purchasing physical media to using digital platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. Retailers are adjusting by building better e-commerce sites, offering in-store collection for online purchases and linking membership schemes across channels. This approach helps them keep shoppers, even as traditional sales fall.

As competition heightens, many retailers are shutting up shop. However, some companies are staying strong. For example, large German retailers like Ceconomy AG and Expert SE offer a diverse range of products, including electric data processing equipment and consumer electronics, helping them secure steadier sales and maintain profitability. Nonetheless, music and video record retailing revenue is forecast to dip at a compound annual rate of 1.8% over the five years through 2025 to €6.3 billion, including an estimated drop of 4.4% in 2025.

Revenue is slated to sink at a compound annual rate of 0.3% over the five years through 2029 to €6.2 billion. The physical video recording market will continue to face challenges due to the fast availability of films on streaming services post-theatre. The delay in releasing DVDs and Blu-rays, especially in markets like France, drives consumers towards these immediate-access platforms, reducing demand for physical media. Major retailers plan to remain resilient during the market downturn by diversifying their product offerings and investing in e-commerce, as well as premium items like 4K Blu-ray discs, which continue to attract collectors and enthusiasts seeking higher quality. Many retailers now focus on limited editions and exclusive packaging to maintain steady sales, although growth remains largely confined to this niche market. Meanwhile, smaller shops face greater risks and may lose business as the industry shifts. With on-demand streaming becoming more popular across all age groups, including older adults, more customers are moving away from physical copies, further shrinking retailers’ customer base.

Online streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Spotify are driving a transition in the home entertainment market; consumers are increasingly shifting away from physical discs like CDs and DVDs to digital formats, hitting music and video record retailers’ sales. Streaming services’ subscription model offers customers access to an extensive content library at a low cost, making DVD purchases less appealing, especially as people often only watch things once. The industry is experiencing a steady decline in revenue, particularly in Italy and Spain, as more people shift from purchasing physical media to using digital platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. Retailers are adjusting by building better e-commerce sites, offering in-store collection for online purchases and linking membership schemes across channels. This approach helps them keep shoppers, even as traditional sales fall.

As competition heightens, many retailers are shutting up shop. However, some companies are staying strong. For example, large German retailers like Ceconomy AG and Expert SE offer a diverse range of products, including electric data processing equipment and consumer electronics, helping them secure steadier sales and maintain profitability. Nonetheless, music and video record retailing revenue is forecast to dip at a compound annual rate of 1.8% over the five years through 2025 to €6.3 billion, including an estimated drop of 4.4% in 2025.

Revenue is slated to sink at a compound annual rate of 0.3% over the five years through 2029 to €6.2 billion. The physical video recording market will continue to face challenges due to the fast availability of films on streaming services post-theatre. The delay in releasing DVDs and Blu-rays, especially in markets like France, drives consumers towards these immediate-access platforms, reducing demand for physical media. Major retailers plan to remain resilient during the market downturn by diversifying their product offerings and investing in e-commerce, as well as premium items like 4K Blu-ray discs, which continue to attract collectors and enthusiasts seeking higher quality. Many retailers now focus on limited editions and exclusive packaging to maintain steady sales, although growth remains largely confined to this niche market. Meanwhile, smaller shops face greater risks and may lose business as the industry shifts. With on-demand streaming becoming more popular across all age groups, including older adults, more customers are moving away from physical copies, further shrinking retailers’ customer base.

The global music industry continues to evolve, with streaming services dominating revenue sources in 2024. Subscription audio streams accounted then for more than half of the industry's revenue at **** percent, while ad-supported streams contributed an additional **** percent. This shift towards digital consumption has reshaped the landscape, pushing traditional formats like physical sales and downloads to smaller market shares. Streaming's dominance grows As streaming platforms solidify their position, they now represent ** percent of the total global recorded music revenue. This trend reflects changing consumer preferences, with audiences favoring access models over ownership. The extensive range of titles available on platforms like Spotify for a set rate has contributed to this shift. Despite the overall growth, digital downloads revenue have seen a decline, contributing less than **** percent to the annual total in 2024. Regional disparities in digital music revenue While streaming leads globally, the digital music market shows significant regional differences. The United States stands at the forefront with **** billion U.S. dollars in revenue from the digital music segment, followed by China at *** billion. France trails behind with *** billion dollars, highlighting the vast gap between markets. These disparities underscore the varying rates of digital music adoption and market maturity across different countries.

Online streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Spotify are driving a transition in the home entertainment market; consumers are increasingly shifting away from physical discs like CDs and DVDs to digital formats, hitting music and video record retailers’ sales. Streaming services’ subscription model offers customers access to an extensive content library at a low cost, making DVD purchases less appealing, especially as people often only watch things once. The industry is experiencing a steady decline in revenue, particularly in Italy and Spain, as more people shift from purchasing physical media to using digital platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. Retailers are adjusting by building better e-commerce sites, offering in-store collection for online purchases and linking membership schemes across channels. This approach helps them keep shoppers, even as traditional sales fall.

As competition heightens, many retailers are shutting up shop. However, some companies are staying strong. For example, large German retailers like Ceconomy AG and Expert SE offer a diverse range of products, including electric data processing equipment and consumer electronics, helping them secure steadier sales and maintain profitability. Nonetheless, music and video record retailing revenue is forecast to dip at a compound annual rate of 1.8% over the five years through 2025 to €6.3 billion, including an estimated drop of 4.4% in 2025.

Revenue is slated to sink at a compound annual rate of 0.3% over the five years through 2029 to €6.2 billion. The physical video recording market will continue to face challenges due to the fast availability of films on streaming services post-theatre. The delay in releasing DVDs and Blu-rays, especially in markets like France, drives consumers towards these immediate-access platforms, reducing demand for physical media. Major retailers plan to remain resilient during the market downturn by diversifying their product offerings and investing in e-commerce, as well as premium items like 4K Blu-ray discs, which continue to attract collectors and enthusiasts seeking higher quality. Many retailers now focus on limited editions and exclusive packaging to maintain steady sales, although growth remains largely confined to this niche market. Meanwhile, smaller shops face greater risks and may lose business as the industry shifts. With on-demand streaming becoming more popular across all age groups, including older adults, more customers are moving away from physical copies, further shrinking retailers’ customer base.

Pre-Save Campaign Tools Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global Pre-Save Campaign Tools market size reached USD 412.6 million in 2024, propelled by the surging demand for digital music marketing solutions. The market is expected to grow at a robust CAGR of 13.1% from 2025 to 2033, reaching a forecasted value of USD 1,175.9 million by 2033. This dynamic growth is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of streaming platforms and the critical need for artists and record labels to maximize audience engagement ahead of music releases. As per our latest research, the expansion of digital music consumption and the evolution of marketing strategies in the music industry are key factors fueling the Pre-Save Campaign Tools market’s upward trajectory.

One of the most significant growth factors for the Pre-Save Campaign Tools market is the exponential rise in music streaming services worldwide. As platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music continue to dominate the digital music landscape, artists and record labels are increasingly leveraging pre-save campaigns to capture listener attention before a track or album officially drops. This proactive approach not only boosts first-day streaming numbers but also enhances the visibility and chart performance of new releases. The ability of pre-save tools to integrate seamlessly with major streaming platforms and automate the process of adding upcoming releases to users’ libraries has made them indispensable in the modern music marketing toolkit. Furthermore, the proliferation of independent artists and small labels seeking cost-effective marketing solutions has accelerated demand for accessible and scalable pre-save campaign tools.

Another pivotal growth driver is the advancement of data analytics and personalization features within pre-save campaign platforms. Modern pre-save tools offer robust analytics dashboards that provide real-time insights into campaign performance, user engagement, and demographic breakdowns. These insights empower music marketers to refine their promotional strategies, target specific audience segments, and optimize campaign timing for maximum impact. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms further enhances the ability to predict listener behavior and tailor campaigns to individual preferences. As the music industry becomes increasingly data-driven, the demand for sophisticated pre-save campaign tools that deliver actionable intelligence is expected to surge, contributing to the sustained growth of the market.

The growing importance of direct-to-fan marketing is also shaping the trajectory of the Pre-Save Campaign Tools market. With the decline of traditional music distribution models, artists and labels are placing greater emphasis on building direct relationships with their audiences. Pre-save campaigns serve as a powerful mechanism for capturing fan data, such as email addresses and social media profiles, which can be leveraged for future marketing initiatives. This direct engagement not only fosters loyalty but also enables artists to create highly personalized experiences for their fans. The integration of pre-save tools with customer relationship management (CRM) systems and marketing automation platforms is further enhancing their value proposition, making them an essential component of comprehensive digital marketing strategies in the music industry.

From a regional perspective, North America currently leads the Pre-Save Campaign Tools market, accounting for the largest revenue share in 2024. This dominance is attributed to the high penetration of streaming platforms, the presence of major record labels, and the rapid adoption of digital marketing technologies in the region. Europe follows closely, driven by a vibrant music culture and the increasing digitalization of the entertainment sector. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region is emerging as a high-growth market, fueled by the rising popularity of streaming services and the expansion of the independent music scene. As digital music consumption continues to rise globally, all major regions are expected to contribute significantly to the market’s growth over the forecast period.

The revenue share of 'downloads à la carte' (including mobile) of the total music industry revenue in Germany in 2024 was *** percent. With this, the share continues to decline.

The global compact disc (CD) writer market, while experiencing a decline in recent years due to the rise of digital media, retains a niche presence, primarily driven by specific applications requiring physical media. The market, estimated at $500 million in 2025, exhibits a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of -3%, reflecting ongoing market contraction. This decline is primarily attributed to the overwhelming preference for digital music and data storage solutions. However, specific segments, such as archiving and data backup in industries with stringent data security requirements (e.g., government, healthcare), continue to sustain demand for CD writers. Furthermore, the continued use of CDs in certain educational settings and specialized applications contribute to a modest, albeit shrinking, market size. The market is segmented by application (image, data, software, other) and type (CD, DVD, Blu-ray), with the data application segment showing slightly higher resilience compared to others. Major players like Samsung, LG, and others, are continuing to support the market through the supply of components and legacy products, though new innovative products are unlikely. Geographic distribution shows North America and Europe maintaining larger market shares due to established infrastructure and lingering demand, although their market size are also shrinking. The Asia-Pacific region, while growing slowly, is anticipated to have a relatively lower market share compared to developed economies. The restraints on market growth include the persistent shift to cloud-based storage, the increasing availability of cost-effective digital alternatives, and the overall decline in the production and consumption of physical media. While the forecast period of 2025-2033 projects continued contraction, the market is expected to remain stable at a significantly reduced level compared to its peak, with continuous slow shrinkage.

Trusted with the task of providing the world with new music, record labels have a massive influence on the music market. But which record companies play an important role? In 2024, Universal Music Group held the largest share of the market when it came to both physical and digital, with a market share of **** percent. Independents' share amounted to **** percent that year, less than *** percent lower than that of Universal Music Group, which remained the biggest record label in the world in 2024 with more than ****** the market share held by WMG. The Big Three are dominating the market Overall, the music market is dominated by three companies: Sony Music Group, Universal Music Group, as well as Warner Music Group. Sony Music Group is made up of Sony Music and Sony Music Publishing. Founded in 1929 as the American Record Corporation, the New York based company is currently the largest music publisher in the world. The music segment alone generated a revenue of over ** billion U.S. dollars in 2024. In terms of revenue, the company comes second with a market share of over ** percent. The only company with a higher market share was the Universal Music Group. As one of the three major music publishers, UMG consists of four sectors: recorded music, music publishing as well as artist services and merchandise. The reason for the company’s success is undeniable when looking at the current charts: UMG has contracts with some of the most successful artists of our generation such as Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, or Eminem. Even though Warner Music has the smallest market share of the three, it is still a major player in the record music industry. The U.S. company has artists such as Ed Sheeran, Robin Schulz or the Red Hot Chilli Peppers under contract. The music market is evolvingIn 2024, the total revenue of the recorded music industry amounted to **** billion U.S. dollars. Global streaming revenues reached over ** billion U.S. dollars in the same year. Overall, recorded music increased by ** percent. Streaming and subscriptions especially contribute to the high digital music revenue, reaching roughly **** billion U.S. dollars in 2024. The number of downloads on the other hand has been decreasing steadily over the last 15 years- a development that is likely to continue.

In 2024, revenue from digital album downloads amounted to 166.7 million U.S. dollars, less than half the figure recorded in 2018. Meanwhile, subscription and streaming revenues have been increasing annually and reached 14.88 billion that same year, making up the vast majority of revenues for the entire music industry. Digital music – additional informationThe increase in digital music revenue, more specifically subscription and streaming services, may be down to the accessibility and availability of digital music. For legal downloads, consumers can pick between services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora. Of course, there are countless numbers of illegal sites which distribute digital music also. In 2019, approximately 34 percent of global internet users aged 16 to 24 admitted to accessing music through music ripping, the most popular method being copyright infringement.Digital music sales have made a huge impact on the listings of best-selling lists with digital sales either being combined with physical sales or set apart. The list of the top-selling digital songs in the United States in 2020 features artists such as The Weeknd, Tones and I, and Megan Thee Stallion. The title for the top selling digital song goes to ‘Blinding Lights’ by The Weeknd. The song sold over 372 thousand units in the United States from January to July 2020. Nevertheless, the share of the digital music market does not always directly correspond to the value of the digital market. The value of digital music singles downloads in 2024 amounted to 162.4 million U.S. dollars, which marked a drop in value from 678.5 million in 2017. The value of digital album sales also saw a decrease from 668.5 million in 2017 to 166.7 million in 2024.

Music streaming revenue has increased astronomically in the last ten years alone – growing from 1.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2014 to 14.9 billion in 2024. Streaming has become a popular pastime for U.S. music fans and a major source of revenue for the industry, though many traditional consumers lament the resulting decline of physical music formats. Physical CD shipments have dwindled, whilst digital music platforms are flourishing.  The world of digital music   Platforms like Spotify have millions of users worldwide, and millions of tracks are streamed via the service each week. In the U.S., more than 25 percent of adults under the age of 35 are Spotify users, as well as almost 20 percent of adults aged 55 or above. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of digital music revenue in the United States is derived from subscriptions and streaming, and successful musicians like Drake, Eminem, and Ariana Grande  amass billions of streams each year.  Whilst many artists in the music industry generate most of their income from touring, streaming is also incredibly lucrative, generating millions of dollars in earnings.  

According to Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), the 2020 revenue of the Australian music industry totaled approximately *** million Australian dollars. This reflected a slight decline from just over *** million in the previous year.

From physical to digital

Over the past twenty years, digitalization has drastically changed virtually every aspect of the music industry, from the way how music is produced, to the way how it is enjoyed. From the consumers’ perspective, the physical-digital shift manifested itself most evidently in how they transitioned from purchasing CDs and records in brick-and-mortar stores to downloading content from online platforms and streaming music in real time. Aside from subscription-based services, many users also opted for free advertisement-based services to gain access to such content. In Australian recorded music market, digital music will likely continue to overshadow physical formats.

The show must go on

2020 marked a challenging year for the music industry, especially the live music market, as concerts were constantly postponed and cancelled due to COVID-19 lockdown and social distancing policies. However, Australian live music market is anticipated to increase tenfold over the next five years, ultimately reaching its pre-COVID market size of well over *** million Australian dollars. On the other hand, the total revenue of the recorded music market witnessed a year-on-year increase in 2020, mostly contributable to the digital music segment. Meanwhile, vinyl sales surged amid the pandemic with almost **** billion units sold, the highest record in Australia since the resurgence of vinyl starting late *****.

In 2024, global music revenue generated by digital music and downloads continued its decline compared to recent years, at the level of *** billion U.S. dollars. It was the lowest figure reported since 2005. Music streaming is still in the lead The music industry has undergone fundamental changes due to the shifts in consumer demand and behavior. In 2024, global recorded music revenue hit an all-time high of around **** billion U.S. dollars, and while this figure was partially fueled by the revival of the live music sector, the top driver of growth was streaming. Music streaming accounted for an estimated ** percent of industry revenues in 2024, whereas digital downloads contributed less than ***** percent to the annual total. Audiences have come to prefer access models over ownership in recent years, which is no surprise considering the extensive range of titles available for a set rate on platforms like Spotify. Best-selling titles Most music lovers listen to their favorite tracks and discover new artists via streaming platforms. And yet, some fans also choose to pay for individual music purchases, be it via digital downloads or in physical formats. In 2023, Seventeen's “FML” was the best-selling music album worldwide, with over *** billion units sold. The K-pop band featured two of its albums in the same ranking that year. However, when it comes to vinyl, Taylor Swift led the ranks there. Her albums took up the top three spots on a list oftop-selling vinyl albums that same year.

Pop and hip-hop had the highest revenue shares with **** and ** percent respectively. Rock was another noticeable revenue generator, but the same can’t be said for traditional German folk music. Face the music Musical sales revenue in Germany (from both physical and digital sales) has been in decline for the last 15 years. Physical sales especially have suffered after the widespread rise of music streaming services not just in Germany, but across Europe. In 2024, musical sales revenue amounted to almost **** billion euros. In terms of genres, by comparison some provoked interest among smaller amounts of the population, for example classical or the aforementioned German folk and brass music. The most popular music genres among German listeners were pop, hip-hop, and rock. Streaming revenue Music streaming revenue in Germany is predicted to grow during the 2020s, if at a gradual pace, while the opposite is expected of music downloads. By 2027, music streaming revenue is forecast to amount to **** billion U.S. dollars. This is due to the increase in popularity of apps such as Spotify and Apple Music.

The global music streaming industry continues to grow, with revenue rising by *** percent in 2024, compared to the previous year. This increase, while significant, marks a substantial slowdown from the peak of **** percent that revenue had grown year-on-year in 2016. Despite the deceleration, streaming now accounts for over ** percent of total global recorded music revenue, highlighting its dominant position in the industry. Streaming's financial dominance Streaming revenues reached an all-time high of **** billion U.S. dollars worldwide in 2024, nearly eight times the *** billion recorded in 2015. This surge in streaming revenue has reshaped the music landscape, with physical sales declining dramatically. In the United States, streaming now makes up ** percent of music industry revenue, a stark contrast to the mere ** percent generated by physical sales in 2024. Market leader Spotify Spotify remains the dominant force in the streaming market, commanding **** percent of global music streaming subscribers. The company's revenue has grown substantially, with premium subscriber revenue reaching close to **** billion euros in the third quarter of 2024. However, Spotify faces challenges in achieving profitability, reporting significant operating losses in recent years. Despite these hurdles, the streaming market continues to expand, with Spotify reaching *** million active users worldwide in the third quarter of 2024, a ** percent increase year-over-year.