Record labels say CD sales down 7%, blame Web - Reuters
Yet another article where the RIAA blames the 'net for a decline in CD sales. In all of these articles I have not seen anyone point to the obvious fact of demographics. Record industry growth through the 70s was largely a result of the baby boom cohort moving through the economy. The introduction of the CD allowed the record industry to both sell the same albums over again at a higher price, and showcase albums to take advantage of better mid-level stereos and CD players (for example Dire Straits "Brothers In Arms"). Then of course, they resold the CDs with new remasters because the original CD versions were crap.
Generally, most people have their musical tastes fossilized by their mid-20s. Currently, the median age for the boomers is around 50. Of course CD sales are declining. The bulk of the population have bought all the CDs they want (don't forget the slogan "perfect sound forever"). They don't need to replace them for the most part, and they aren't interested in the new crap the industry is pushing.
Don't blame the 'net, blame the audience (yeah, like that's been working real well for the industry).
As for commercial online services, the majors have one big problem. They have no experience in selling music to individuals. None, zip, nada. They couldn't sell their way out of a paper bag. The majors have experience in shipping skids of plastic discs to distributors and retail chains, but they haven't clue one about actually selling anything. Which explains why their recent attempts have been so cack-handed. Imagine Jack Lemmon's character in "Glen Garry Glen Ross" for a mental image of what is going at the majors and the RIAA, almost makes you sorry for the sad bastards. I said almost.
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