Soundtrack sales up 50% year-on-year

Original soundtracks across TV, film and theatre have seen a sales increase of almost 50% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2013 – with downloads accounting for almost half of overall purchases. In total, 49.4% of soundtrack sales over the period came from download – the highest of any sector of the albums market, according to BPI analysis of Official Charts Company data.

There were 1.7 million soundtrack units sold in the nine month period

“Music has been providing the backdrop to some of the most memorable moments in TV and film history for decades,” said BPI and BRIT Awards chief executive Geoff Taylor.

“Nowadays, with the range of digital services offering music online, movie goers can download or stream a soundtrack on their smartphone or tablet as soon as the credits start to roll.  Apps such as Shazam allow consumers to instantaneously identify the music they are looking for in a matter of seconds keeping the magic of the movies alive long after the popcorn has ended.”

John Craig OBE of First Night Records, specialists in West End and Broadway musical theatre recordings and BPI member, added: “As one of the leaders in the field of theatrical soundtracks we are delighted with the surge in digital downloads of Soundtracks sales, reflecting the increase in ticket sales over the last few years.

“First Night Records was one of the first recording specialists to recognise the consumer demand for musical theatre soundtracks to be made available online. We have worked hard to digitise everything we have ever recorded from promo EPs and demos to full original soundtracks. We now consider ourselves a digital-focused business with the majority of our revenue coming from online music services, not just in the UK but around the world.”

Source: Music Week