Music Industry Analysis
Music Biz curates a feed of music industry news articles, business statistics and trend analysis from a variety of media outlets, filtering out the noise to deliver you the actionable insights you need to succeed. Starting in 2024, these articles will be accessible exclusively from Music Biz’s social media feeds.
January 23, 2017 – [WEEKLY SALES] The Weeknd’s ‘Starboy’ Spends Third Week at #1; The xx Debut High
James Donio, President of the Music Business Association (Music Biz), commented on this week’s sales numbers issued by Nielsen (published in Billboard) and BuzzAngle Music (published in HITS Daily Double). The Weeknd spent his third straight week at #1 on the Nielsen and BuzzAngle Music charts with Starboy, blocking debuting indie rockers The xx from taking the top spot with I See You. Following in the footsteps of fellow Toronto native Drake,... Read More
January 23, 2017 – U.S. Cassette Album Sales Increased by 74% in 2016, Led by ‘Guardians’ Soundtrack
While the continued return of vinyl rightfully draws a lot of attention, there’s another format that’s on the comeback trail: the cassette. Cassette album sales grew by 74 percent in 2016 with 129,000 copies sold (up from 74,000 in 2015) according to Nielsen Music. Read more here.... Read More
January 20, 2017 – Winning Diverse Shoppers In A Digital Retail World
For consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers and retailers, knowing how consumers go from wanting to buying along the elusive and increasingly digital path to purchase is critical for two reasons. First, it allows them to measure the market more accurately, so they can make better decisions about where and how to invest for growth. Second, it enables them to engage their customers more effectively, especially as the lines between media and commerce continue to blur. Both understanding consumers’ needs better and knowing which channels will reach them brings companies closer to the points of decision—meaning closer to the coveted sale—during the shopper journey.... Read More
January 19, 2017 – 2016 Nielsen Social Media Report
“What’s next?” That question drives our industry every day. Answering it isn’t easy. You don’t get there using conjecture or assumptions—you get there using passion, precision, experience and rigorous science. And when it comes to measuring the breakneck evolution of social media—answering the question can be as difficult as it is vital. But when you take a closer look at up-to-the-minute social media data, the direction forward snaps into focus. See more here.... Read More
January 19, 2017 – Streaming ‘Finally’ Reaches CD-Loving Germany: 73 Percent Jump in Digital Helps Market Stay in the Black
The German music market grew by 2.4 percent in 2016, according to new figures released today by BVMI, Germany’s music industry association. With these figures, unveiled in Berlin, the local-based industry enjoyed growth rates for a fourth straight year. Across all formats, music sales (revenues valued at retail prices) added up to €1.58 billion, while audio streaming once again showed the highest growth rate (+73.1 percent) leading to a market share of 24.3 percent. Vinyl also gained considerably (+41 percent),... Read More
January 17, 2017 – BuzzAngle Music 2016 Canada Report
Music Biz member BuzzAngle Music is proud to release our first-ever yearly report, on 2016 Canada music consumption. 2016 was another successful year in music, with overall consumption rising 8.5% over 2015, marking the second year in a row with solid growth.The continued explosion of audio stream consumption, which increased 218.7% to 22.3B streams, fueled this increase. Both album sales and song sales continued to decline but the transition to these new access methods has shown to provide overall growth and a sustainable business model for the future.... Read More
January 17, 2017 – [UPDATED] BuzzAngle Music 2016 U.S. Report
Music Biz member BuzzAngle Music is proud to release its first-ever yearly report, on 2016 U.S. music consumption. 2016 was another successful year in music, with overall consumption rising 4.2% over 2015, marking the second year in a row with solid growth. The continued explosion of audio stream consumption, which increased 82.6% to 250B streams, fueled this increase. Both album sales and song sales continued to decline but the transition to these new access methods has shown to provide overall growth and a sustainable business model for the future…... Read More
January 13, 2017 – Sam Hunt, FGL Loom Large in Country Music’s Embrace of Streaming in 2016
When executives look back on shifts in country music in future years, they might well point to 2016 as the moment when the transition was most evident. Country streaming grew by 57 percent while country track downloads shrunk 23 percent, according to Nielsen Music, indicating that the genre’s customers are increasingly comfortable with the music industry’s new paradigm of accessing music instead of owning it. Read more here.... Read More
January 12, 2017 – In Just 7 Years, Vinyl Records Have Gone from ‘Fad’ to ‘Billion Dollar Industry’
Looks like those beard-growing, wine-sipping hipsters were on to something. That is, a billion dollars worth of something. According to a game-smashing prediction released this morning, sales of vinyl records are set to become a billion dollar industry. That is, in 2017 after just seven years. Specifically, sales of records themselves will reach the $800-900 million-mark, with turntables and other accessories likely throwing things into 9-figures. Click here to read more.... Read More
January 11, 2017 – Nielsen 2016 U.S. Music Year-End Report
The year had barely begun when we were already saying goodbye to musical heroes gone far too soon. David Bowie, Paul Kantner, Glenn Frey, Leon Russell, Maurice White, Prince, Juan Gabriel, George Michael, Sharon Jones… the list goes on. And yet, while it’s sad that 2016 became a meme of its own, there is so much for the industry to celebrate. Music consumption is at an all-time high. Overall volume is up 3% over 2016, fueled by a 76% increase in on-demand audio streams,... Read More
