More doom and gloom. After a post-Pop Idol peak the sales of singles are in terminal decline once more. Sales in the first quarter of this year were down a massive 42% on last year - down to £16 million from the £28 million sold last Spring as Pop Idol fans turned out to buy Will Young's debut.
Commenting on the latest stats the BPI told reporters: "The first three months of the year were disappointing for the UK music market. In the first quarter of 2002, the Pop Idol phenomenon was at its peak so year-on-year comparisons in the singles market have consequently suffered."
Perhaps more importantly album sales have also dropped - though the fall is less significant at 5% in terms of units, though a more competitive market means the fall in revenues is 9%.