2017 U.S. Music Mid-Year Numbers: Comment from Music Biz President James Donio

James Donio, President of the Music Business Association (Music Biz), commented on this week’s mid-year sales numbers issued by BuzzAngle Music and Nielsen Music:

“Streaming, vinyl and soundtracks are the hot spots thus far in 2017, along with Ed Sheeran and Kendrick Lamar who hold the top two chart positions on both the BuzzAngle Music and Nielsen Music charts for the first half of 2017. Both data providers show overall music consumption on the increase, 9.9% and 8.9% respectively. Streaming’s dominance more than offsets declines in physical and digital album consumption. It’s very interesting to see soundtracks from Beauty and the Beast, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Moana, and Trolls among the chart-topping albums over the past six months. There is no doubt that the partnerships artists are forming with brands; strategies by labels to release albums in multiple formats; artist appearances on TV and in movies; and the unique ways music is being brought to fans via social networks are all leading to increased discovery and consumption across ages and genres. Reports released today by BuzzAngle and Nielsen take an in-depth look at artists, formats and consumption data, and provide an affirmative and encouraging snapshot of our business today and where it is headed.”