The record industry has turned around after 13 years of decline. Global record sales grew 0.3% in 2012 by value, says the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).
A small growth but at least growth. Sales of digital products are up 9% on 2011.
Strategy
The global industry has adopted the strategy of:
- Attacking the unlicensed sites where it can;
- Focusing on the growth of digital;
- Going for subscriptions; and
- Expanding into new markets.
In 2012 the major subscription services were in over 100 national markets, up from 23 in 2011.
This boosted subscription services: there are now 20 million subscribers, up 44% in the year.
Heavy lobbying to come
But 32% of internet users still download from unlicensed sites, says IFPI. We can expect another campaign against them with heavy lobbying of governments and search-engine providers.
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