Digital music research

Although radio, television, and portable devices dominate overall music listening, the computer is an . According to the latest MusicLab report from The NPD Group, more than a doubling of consumers are ripping music onto computers and transferring music to MP3 players. Listening to music stored on a computer rose by 22 percent (63.2 million to 77.2 million), online radio listening increased 18 percent (45.3 million to 53.5 million) and free streaming of online music increased 37 percent (33.7 million to 46.1 million). NPD also noted a decline in those listening to the radio.

Radio remains the most popular way to listen to music:

• 194 million listened to music on the radio in March 2005


• 203 million listened listened to music on the radio in March 2004.

"The rise of digital listening and storage for music continues unabated this year," said Russ Crupnick, president of the NPD Group’s Music & Movies division. “Technology companies are providing new tools to consumers in the form of powerful music-enabled PCs and portable music players, music companies are answering the call for more content and consumers are responding positively.”

NPD said the number of consumers ripping music onto their computers more than doubled since March 2004. The transfer of music to MP3 players also more than doubled since last year. At the same time, paying to download music files increased 93 percent.

"Music listeners today are faced with a dizzying array of methods for obtaining and listening to music," said Russ Crupnick, president of the NPD Group's Music & Movies division. "Far from inciting confusion, these new technology-driven avenues may be helping consumers sample and enjoy music across a wider variety of music genres."

by MacNN Staff