CD & vinyl sales – facts and stats – why the CD still rocks – Part 3
Watch the video above for the full report, stats and analysis
Isn’t is about time we retired this story and just focused on what music fans actually want rather than trying to push them in a specific direction?
Before some people new to this channel start to think I am only interested in CD I am not. I buy a lot of vinyl records but actually like all physical formats. Many music do and will buy CDs and vinyl for those special releases.
In this Chart Watch special I use stats, actually sales figures to tell you why I think the the recent media stories about the decline of the CD is not what it seems.
This also not about physical music vs streaming either, many music fans stream to check things out before buying a CDS or vinyl album.
Weekly stats on CD and Vinyl sales will be included in our weekly Chart Watch video.
Sales Stats Mentioned in the Video
Sam Ryder : There’s Nothing But Space Man
Position = 1
Sales = 24,847
CD = 15,921
Vinyl = 2,651
Cassette = 1,414
Downloads = 3,052
Streams = 1,809
Olly Murs – Marry Me
Position = Number 1
Total Sales = 20,156
CD = 16,993
Vinyl = 1,000
Cassette = 1150
Downloads = 992
USB = 396
Streams = 625
Stormzy – This is what I mean
Position = Number 1
Total Sales = 27,874
CD = 13,997
Vinyl = 3,316
Cassette = 1,139
Downloads = 1,488
Streams = 7,984
Cliff Richard – Christmas with Cliff
Position = Number 2
Total Sales = 24,358
CD = 21,976
Vinyl = 1,142
Cassette = 0
Downloads = 1,090
Streams = 150
Dermot Kennedy: Sonder : 2022
Position = 1
Sales = 25,748
CDs = 14,661
Vinyl = 4,479
Cassettes = 1,498
Downloads = 1,387
Streams = 3,723
The Beatles : Revolver
Chart Position = 2
Total Sales = 20,931
CD Sales = 11,561
Vinyl = 5,832
Cassettes = 0
Downloads = 836
Now Spinning Magazine
Taylor Swift – Midnights
Chart Position = 1
Total Sales = 204,501
Physical Sales = 139,450
CD Sales = 75,667
Vinyl = 61,948
Cassettes = 1,835
Downloads = 7,087
Streams = 57,964
Artic Monkeys – The Car
Chart Position = 2
Total Sales = 119,016
CD Sales = 57,934
Vinyl = 37,866
Cassettes = 9,850
Downloads = 2,556
Streams = 10,810
Paul Heaton & Jaqui Abott – N.K Pop – Number 1
19,597 Sales
15,420 on CD
2,763 Vinyl
691 Cassette
487 Downloads
236 Streams
Slipknot : The End So Far at Number 1
14,068 sales
7,873 CDs
2,091 Vinyl
189 Cassettes
1,910 Downloads
2,005 Streams
Black Pink 20,957 units
11,640 CDs,
5,067 cassettes,
839 digital downloads
3,411 sales-equivalent streams
No vinyl!
YoungBlud
27,800 Sales
14,000 CDs
5000 Vinyl
1,800 Cassettes
1,600 Streams
Muse – Will of The People
51,510 sales
19,500 CDs
18,500 Vinyl
6,500 Cassettes
4,000 Downloads
3,000 Streams
Robbie Williams XXV
37,925 sales
28,398 CDs
2,570 Vinyl
5,750 Cassettes
777 Downloads
382 Streams
Ozzy Osbourne – Patient Number 9 (USA Sales Stats)
52,000 Sales
27,500 CDs
16,500 Vinyl
500 Cassettes
8000 Downloads
Sales during this period 311,208 CDs and 150,402 Vinyl
“I’m sure these stories are written by people who stopped buying physical music ages ago. It’s not really “news” as such and certainly doesn’t tell the whole story. Which is where you come in, Phil. The stats are always interesting to hear and you have a real talent for putting everything into perspective.” Clive
I never cease to wonder at how tone deaf the music industry can be. Revenue is one thing, but look at the high production costs of vinyl, the fact that it cannot easily scale to meet sudden demand spikes and the undeniable reality that a cost of living crisis is making high value purchases more challenging. And yet the CD firmly remains the volume seller, can scale to meet almost any likely demand curve and, of course, is a lower cost option very much more in step with currently stretched budgets. And all this before we’ve even factored in the added convenience and general user friendliness. So reports of its new demise are, as you quite rightly observe Phil, grossly exaggerated, in fact totally untrue. And, of course, chart stats are one thing, but there’s also the fact that, in the enthusiast box set market, the CD wins by a long, long way. In fact it is the only format that is capable of delivering such collections at what most people would reasonably consider to be a fair and relatively affordable price. What I think the stats demonstrate is that, as you allude to, all formats are doing pretty well. A very healthy situation, all things considered. Unfortunately press comment seems to thrive on the need for a hero and villain , a winner and loser, in almost anything.” Chris Wright
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
Bardzo dobre zestawienie i argumentacja. Jasno z niej wynika że płyty CD mają się całkiem dobrze i tylko nachalna propaganda koncernów i mediów chce je zepchnąć w cień innych nośników muzyki.
Very good summary and argument. It clearly shows that CDs are doing quite well and only the intrusive propaganda of concerns and the media wants to push them into the shadow of other music carriers.
Thank you very much – I agree – Phil