ITunes 10 Year Anniversary: Impact on Music Sales

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In summary, iTunes has been declining in sales and popularity, while internet radio is becoming more popular.
  • #1
jtbell
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  • #2
I think it's absolutely astounding! I haven't thought about buying music in a physical store or even buying a cd in longer than 10 years. It's sad that my music is locked up in itunes though.

The single download phenomenon is also interesting. Many new pop artists aren't even releasing full albums anymore. They just release a new single every couple of months.
 
  • #3
I can't run iTunes and it really ticks off my nephew who is producing his own music now. I can't download his songs. iTunes seems to have conflicts with some of the third party software that I use for work. When I uninstalled iTunes on my last computer it started running about twice as fast as it was before uninstalling the software.
 
  • #4
I use iTunes for most of my music-listening at home, streaming to my stereo via an Apple TV box. However, I've never bought music from the iTunes Store. Searching for classical music there is awkward, the tagging is inconsistent and clunky, and I prefer CD-quality lossless format to compressed formats.

I buy more than half of my new recordings as downloads from specialist classical-music dealers, or directly from the labels, and convert them to Apple Lossless format for importing into iTunes on my Mac. The rest (for which I can't find lossless downloads) I buy as CDs and rip into iTunes.

There's been a trend towards re-issuing classic older recordings in huge box sets like this one:

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Mercury%2BLiving%2BPresence/4785092

The per-disc price would have been unthinkable twenty years ago.
 
  • #5
iTunes is one disaster of an application software-wise.

I can already feel the mind-aches I would get from reading the spaghetti source code due to incompetent developers.
 
  • #6
  • #7
I still buy most of my music on vinyl, and long may it live! <3

I really dislike iTunes. I do buy some digital music, but I buy either direct from the artist / label, or from the kind of store that has good selectors and don't just stock what the big pop labels pump out.

It troubles me that we are heading towards a closed internet, where people only access content through a few corporate portals. As if they knew what was best.
 
  • #8
Adyssa said:
...
It troubles me that we are heading towards a closed internet, where people only access content through a few corporate portals. As if they knew what was best.
Excellent! :approve:
 

Related to ITunes 10 Year Anniversary: Impact on Music Sales

1. How has iTunes affected music sales over the past 10 years?

iTunes has had a significant impact on music sales since its launch in 2001. It revolutionized the way people purchased and consumed music, shifting from physical CDs to digital downloads. It also allowed for single song purchases, rather than buying entire albums. This led to an increase in music sales, as it made music more accessible and convenient for consumers.

2. Has iTunes helped or hurt the music industry?

The impact of iTunes on the music industry is a controversial topic. On one hand, it has allowed for independent artists to distribute their music without the need for a record label, giving them more control over their work. However, it also devalued the price of music, as songs were now available for only $0.99 compared to the average $15 for a physical album. This has led to a decline in revenue for record labels and artists.

3. How has iTunes changed the way we discover music?

iTunes introduced the concept of "recommendations" based on the user's listening history and purchases. This feature, along with the ability to preview songs before purchasing, has made it easier for consumers to discover new music and artists. It also opened up the market for independent and lesser-known artists, as they could now reach a wider audience through the iTunes platform.

4. What role has iTunes played in the decline of physical music sales?

iTunes played a significant role in the decline of physical music sales. As more and more people shifted to digital downloads, the demand for physical CDs decreased. This led to a decrease in production and sales of physical music, resulting in the closure of many record stores and a shift in the way the music industry operates.

5. Has iTunes had an impact on the way we listen to music?

Yes, iTunes has had a major impact on the way we listen to music. It popularized the concept of "digital music libraries" where users could store and organize their music collections. It also introduced the concept of creating playlists and the shuffle feature, allowing for a more personalized listening experience. It also paved the way for streaming services, which have now become the primary way people consume music.

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