RESEARCH: state of the current music industry

The music industry has changed dramatically over the years. Back in the day if you liked the song you would have to go along to your local record shop and buy the whole album. Nowadays you can download the single of the internet. In fact digital singles sales made £160m in 2010 and £21m in albums, compared to 2009 which made £149.7m in singles and £16.1m in albums. Due to illegal downloading the behaviour of the consumer has changed too, seeing as ¾ of the downloads in the UK are illegal. However, when someone decides to download legally they can choose from one of 67 services including Amazon and Itunes. 

 

Online streaming allows music to be delivered to the user on demand and it can either be free or paid with subscription.

Between the 70's and 90's the music industry was dominated by the 'Big 6'. In the 90's that turned into the 'Big 5'. In 2004 Song and BMG combined making the indutsy dominated by the 'Big 4'. Universal Music Group, Sony Entertainment, EMI Groups and Warner Music Group.