Good news everyone. Well, good news mainly for shareholders in Vivendi Universal, but they don't get much good news, so we won't begrudge them this.
Yep, the loveable Universal Music Group has increased its market share of the global music business even more, further strengthening its position as the biggest record company in the world. According to new figures from the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry, Universal commanded a 25.5 percent share in the last year, up on the previous year and some way ahead of nearest rival SonyBMG, who had a 21.5 percent share.
EMI are next biggest in terms of market share at 13.4 percent, with Warner in fourth place at 11.3 percent. That is unless, of course, you count the combined independent sector, who actually come in ahead of the mighty Universal commanding 28.4 percent of the global music market.
Other interesting figures in the IFPI report related to the growing revenue streams for the record labels - performance royalties and legal downloads. The report said that industry wide royalty income topped $493 million last year, up by 4.5 percent, while legal downloading is becoming an increasingly important revenue stream, with 180 million units being shifted in the legit download market in the first half of this year.
Interesting stats also on the average age of music consumers - with confirmation of a previously reported trend that the average age is getting older. The report says that in 1999 music buyers accounted for less than half of all music files, but now they account for some 55%, so collectively more than those kids on the street, who presumably are getting all their music for free via Kazaa and are spending all their pocket money on stupid ring tones instead.