Downloads Outsell Physical Formats

[elektro80]

New figures from the Official Charts' Company reveal that over 150,000 downloads were sold in January 2004 – with 50,000 sold in the week of MyCokeMusic's launch alone. This means that a digital format has outsold physical formats for the first time, with downloads now outselling vinyl, cassettes and DVD.

These figures add to the anticipation surrounding the UK's first Official Download Chart – which entered its test phase last October. The Official UK Charts Company reports tests are going well, and an announcement on the launch of the chart is expected soon. Plans to integrate downloads into the Official Singles Chart are expected to follow later this year.

BPI Executive Chairman Peter Jamieson said: "Digital music services without doubt represent an exciting future for the music industry. Putting the systems in place to properly reward the artists and creators of music takes time, especially against a backdrop of tough market conditions and increasing piracy. Having been in development in recent years, more legitimate services are now available to consumers and these figures show that as a format the download has officially arrived."

http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=62562