The end of the CD?

[STEED]

Slump in album sales could see end of CD

The record industry suffered a double whammy at the beginning of 2008, as album sales were hit by a catastrophic decline, according to new figures, and experts predicted that plans to legalise the copying of music between formats could soon render the CD redundant.
The BPI, which represents the UK music industry, has revealed that sales of albums had plunged by a remarkable 10.8 per cent in 2007. When compilations and soundtracks were stripped out of the figures the fall was an even more dramatic 14.3 per cent on the previous year, which in turn was nearly 3 per cent down on 2005 sales.


http://arts.independent.co.uk/music/news/article3321395.ece

They should not charge the earth for them, bring the price down more and people may buy more CD's. I can not speak for the rest of the world but here in the UK they cost to much, true to say if you hang on for a couple of years the price will fall but not by much.

[Tchocky]

Another factor in this years drop in CD sales was the horrid release schedule. most indicators show that it wasn't a great year for new music.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Tchocky

Another factor in this years drop in CD sales was the horrid release schedule. most indicators show that it wasn't a great year for new music.

And my indicators say there is not much great music over all the past years. I suspect they even do not record new CD anymore since a couple of years, just release the garbage they have found in their waste bins from failed music attempts since the mid 90s.

Brittney Spears' biography is symptomatic for the pop business, on several levels.

[Jimbuna]

Very suprised at the high prices people are still expected to pay in the UK.

The more they charge, the more people they drive to illegal downloads.

[SUBMAN1]

With the poor quality of compressed music, I highly doubt CD's will ever go away. If they start releasing in a format like FLAC though, then maybe. Then I could burn back to a CD in original quality.

CD's are ridiculously priced though - almost $20 for a single CD!!!

-S

PS. And their slump in CD sales has nothing to do with pirates and illegal downloading. THe real reason is, if you go to your local CD store right now, is there a damn thing in there that you want?

[Sea Demon]

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

PS. And their slump in CD sales has nothing to do with pirates and illegal downloading. THe real reason is, if you go to your local CD store right now, is there a damn thing in there that you want?

Good point. It looks like there is a glut of recording artists out there putting out albums, and most are pretty crappy. The record companies these days are giving any two-bit act a record contract, and then standing back to watch the results. If it sells, they further fund that artist. If not, they eliminate them from the label and they get no further funding. This has led to lots of musical choices in the music stores, but lower quality of choices. I seldom buy any CD's because alot of it just sucks. There are some bands/artists I do particularly like. I just wait for them to release something new and get that.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Originally Posted by STEED

They should not charge the earth for them, bring the price down more and people may buy more CD's. I can not speak for the rest of the world but here in the UK they cost to much, true to say if you hang on for a couple of years the price will fall but not by much.

In Canada they are fairly cheap now, even new ones and especially older CDs. It is not surprising they are on their way out, they have been for awhile. They have survived for 20 + years, what was the life of a cassette, 8-Track and the 45', not as long, especially the first two. Vinyl still endures.


RDP

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by reallydedpoet

In Canada they are fairly cheap now, even new ones and especially older CDs. It is not surprising they are on their way out, they have been for awhile. They have survived for 20 + years, what was the life of a cassette, 8-Track and the 45', not as long, especially the first two. Vinyl still endures.


RDP

Only because they have a secondary use as.......drinks coasters

[STEED]

To be honest folks and as already pointed out todays pop music sucks.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Only because they have a secondary use as.......drinks coasters

he, he, good one


RDP

[Sailor Steve]

As was already shown, Steed, you're not alone. Movie DVDs are available for as little as $1 dollar, with a huge variety going for $5 and up.

When the music industry realizes that they'll make more money by selling them for less, the prices will come down.

[Jimbuna]

They want to hurry up in the UK then!!

That's been the view held by millions for quite a few years now :hmm:

[Gorduz]

What I really don't get why the recordcompanies hasn't yet made a good online musicstore, that sells music cheap and with an unlimited selection. Probably because it means less money to them, and it will be easier for indy labels to get a marked . Instead they are fighting priacy with courtcases and invading the privacy of people. They need to see that for the mainstream user CDs will be obsolete. I not sure wether I hope they see there mistake before they go bankrupt, or not

I do however agree that there will be a marked for owning CDs just like with LPs, but it will be margial, but for collectors nothing can beat the feeling of having a new record in your shelf

And as a side comment its better for the peguins that music is sold over the web. If you look at energy consumption the hole idea of printing CDs is ridiculus. Save the peguins! Download music today :p

[TteFAboB]

http://www2.deutschegrammophon.com/home <- is selling over the web.

I don't know on which format and quality they're selling though.