DVD sales down, Music sales up

[News]

News

[Stats]

Stats

[MetalCrypt]

Found this on Braveboard:

From Digital Media Wire:

U.S. DVD sales plummeted 43.9% in 2010, to $4.47 billion from $7.97 billion in 2009, according to a report from market research firm SNL Kagan.

The report did not include Blu-ray disc sales, which the firm noted "grew significantly" in 2010.

The total number of DVD units shipped in 2010 was down 43.8%, to nearly 226 million.

The average film shipped 545,000 DVD units and generated $10.8 million in wholesale revenue in 2010, down 52.4% from the $22.6 million average seen in 2009.

The firm noted that in the past five years, average wholesale revenue for DVDs has declined at a compound annual rate of 13.7%.

U.S. music sales are up 1.6% so far in 2011, with digital sales up 12.4% on last year and digital retailers now accounting for more than half of all music transactions, according to a report from market research firm Nielsen.

The growth was also attributed to a 5.4% increase in catalog album sales -- largely spurred by the digital release of albums by The Beatles.

Vinyl album sales are also up 37% so far in 2011.

"Strong releases and aggressive promotions by the labels and retailers are among the many contributing factors to the strength we're seeing in the music industry," said Nielsen's Dave Bakula. "Overall, the data reflects a continuing strong demand by music consumers."

[Schattengott]

I think that if it hadn't been for music digitally available for purchase, then music sales would have been at an all-time low...

[MetalCrypt]

I think that if it hadn't been for music digitally available for purchase, then music sales would have been at an all-time low...

Most likely.  A lot of people don't care about the packaging, and also in some cases the packaging is not worth owning (lame cover art, practically no info in the booklet.)

[Memnarch]

Poor booklets do my head in. If you're not going to put any lyrics in at least put a bit of effort in other areas of the booklet. That said though I've still never paid for an mp3 in my life and never will.

[Agis]

I've still never paid for an mp3 in my life and never will.

Yeah, some people don't like them.

[The Protagonist]

Yeah, some people don't like them.

I have and will always prefer cds. It's hard for me to pay real money ($5-10) for a digital copy with nothing really to show for it other than being on my hard drive. I'll even take crappy packaging sometimes if it's a decent album. Even if someone other than the band gets a bigger cut with cds, it feels like representing the band more, you know?

That said, digital purchasing is a good way for some people to get things quickly, I have nothing against it.

[MetalCrypt]

I have and will always prefer cds. It's hard for me to pay real money ($5-10) for a digital copy with nothing really to show for it other than being on my hard drive. I'll even take crappy packaging sometimes if it's a decent album. Even if someone other than the band gets a bigger cut with cds, it feels like representing the band more, you know?

That said, digital purchasing is a good way for some people to get things quickly, I have nothing against it.

I'm running out of space for CDs and vinyl, so I've MetalMiked a few albums.

[Claus]

I, too prefer CDs. I like having a physical copy, and a great booklet is enough to put me over the top! The newest Blind Guardian was not only awesome, but the booklet had some of the best artwork I've ever seen!

[Jan]

As I mostly listen to music digitally (ipod/computer), I am fine with digital formats.  I do prefer a CD, but for many bands, iTunes download is good enough. 

[MetalMike]

I'm running out of space for CDs and vinyl, so I've MetalMiked a few albums.

 

CDs for the best stuff, MP3s for everything else.  I don't need a bunch of shitty plastic jewel cases and paper booklets hanging around.  Too much trash in the world as it is.

[Claus]

CDs for the best stuff, MP3s for everything else.  I don't need a bunch of shitty plastic jewel cases and paper booklets hanging around.  Too much trash in the world as it is.

That is one thing I will have to agree with, mp3s are much more environmentally sound.

[gszx1337]

Poor booklets do my head in. If you're not going to put any lyrics in at least put a bit of effort in other areas of the booklet.

Damn straight. I bought the first Baby Stab Horror album (big mistake) and got jack shit. It was just a piece of gloss paper.

[The Protagonist]

That is one thing I will have to agree with, mp3s are much more environmentally sound.

This is why I buy almost all of my cds used except for recent releases that I can't wait for.

[Sirliftsalot48]

This is why I buy almost all of my cds used except for recent releases that I can't wait for.

When you buy things used you aren't giving the band any money.  It's really no better than downloading the tracks for free when it comes to giving the band its due.

[The Protagonist]

When you buy things used you aren't giving the band any money.  It's really no better than downloading the tracks for free when it comes to giving the band its due.

Sure, I know that. But my practical side dictates that I ought to buy good-condition used stuff rather than new. Have to give bands support in other ways then. Much as I know most bands would like to know that a cd is being enjoyed rather than sitting in a cellar somewhere, they still need their money. Hence why I plug concerts so much around here (MSP area).