According to new figures from the Mobile Data Association (MDA), sales of mobile phone ringtones are set to overtake that of CD singles. But don’t expect any complaints from the industry – ringtones retail from between £1.50 and £3.50 each and once the technology is in place actual costs are negligible. And as we all know, all but the biggest singles have become something of a lost lead.
MDA research reckons sales of ringtones will rise 60% this year: meaning an estimated £70m of ringtones will be sold this year, up from £40m in 2002.
A spokesman for London Records told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the profit margin for recent Sugababes hit Round Round was larger on the ringtone than the single. One young phone-owner said: "everyone's doing it - it's the latest thing to do" because it was "too boring" to keep the same ring.
The current UK ringtone chart (as supplied by ringtones.co.uk)
1. XTM - Fly on the Wings of Love
2. Beyonce Knowles (above) - Crazy In Love
3. Blu Cantrell - Breathe
4. Coldplay - Clocks
5. Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
Personally nothing come close to ‘Champ’ by the Mohawks.