25 per cent of Internet users will abandon CDs

 

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Posted on 22 Feb 2001 at 15:44

A recent MORI poll of Internet users, conducted for Creative Labs, has shown that the CD's days are numbered, with one in four expecting to turn to the Internet as the sole source of music. In the 15-24 age bracket the figure was as high as 37 per cent.

The survey reveals just how widely accepted and understood the concepts of codecs and streaming digital music have become. A massive 67 per cent were looking to store digital music on mobile devices and 72 per cent expected MP3 to remain the strongest format, with opinion equally split as to whether emerging formats such as WMA and others will replace the codec.

The main reason for downloading music given by those polled was that it is a cheap method to get it - witness Napster et al. And 72 per cent reckoned that the music industry will have to change how music is sold.

Of course the music industry is painfully aware of this, but the closure of the free music exchange section of Napster will leave it in the position of online distributor - something that the labels can easily take up themselves in order to out-price the competition. Labels can then add value to music files with screensavers and other bonus media, making them the music source of choice. Free music may die, but cheap music will thrive.

The survey polled 1,629 of the UK general public between 15 and 65, a group of 320 people who download music at least once a month and a consulted panel of 60 of e-MORI's IT journalists.

Author: Matt Whipp