You knew this already. CD sales are going down, while digital music and vinyl sales are going up. Just last week, the RIAA released a PDF file that includes the total 2007 shipment statistics, which not only confirms these specific trends, but includes other interesting ones.
First, here's the physical chart:
You'll notice that vinyl LP and EP shipments went up 36.6% compared to last year. Fetishists want their fidelity, and since a lot of vinyl now come with free digital downloads, it makes complete sense. Meanwhile, SACDs (Super Audio CD) lowered a total of 73% compared to 2006, showing how the bells and whistles added onto the CD format -- which itself lowered 17.5% compared to last year -- have done nothing but confuse consumers.
Interestingly, vinyl singles went down 58.5%, while CD singles went up 51.5%. Perhaps it's due to the trend of some DJs converting to digital turntables coupled with the bargain bin recycling mentality of 12-inch buyers? Actually, with such an unfocused market, there could be many reasons for this (marketing, availability, etc.). But there's no doubt that the emphasis of the so-called vinyl resurgence is on full-length albums.
Now, here's the digital chart:
It's clear that everything on this chart indicates a rise in digital music, except of course on the subscription end (which has still yet to see real mainstream acceptance/marketing). The percentage changes aren't as pronounced as it was from 2005-2006, but with digital music already accounting for 23% of RIAA's total revenue, it'll be interesting to see what happens next year. Contrary to the physical chart, digital music is still ruled by single tracks, not albums.
Since these statistics are only for RIAA music, it'd be especially worthwhile to see figures for independent music. I'm guessing the rise in vinyl and digital would be equally, if not more, dramatic.
