For the first time in Singapore, digital music sales have overtaken those of CDs and records.
However, this is not because of a huge increase in the digital music sales, but rather far fewer CDs being sold.
Sales for digital music hit US$5.5 million last year, up 28 per cent from 2012. However, sales of CDs and records dipped by 44 per cent in the same period to S$4.5 million (US$3.3 million), based on data from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).
Six years ago, sales of CDs and records were worth US$18.8 million while digital music sales were just US$3.4 million.
IFPI regional director for Asia Ang Kwee Tiang blames the easy access to illegal content online for the drop in CD sales. Plus there has been an explosion of music services, such as Apple’s iTunes, as well as online music streaming services Deezer, KKbox and Spotify. An album with 12 songs on a CD can cost S$20, but the digital version on iTunes goes for S$12.
Meanwhile, the Singapore government is trying to clamp down on illegal music sites, and will soon hold a parliamentary debate over a proposed law to block illegal sites.
