Record Year for UK Music Sales Driven by Streaming and Vinyl

UK music sales soared to an all-time high in 2024, supported by significant streaming growth and a remarkable rise in vinyl purchases, particularly from top artists like Taylor Swift, as reported on Wednesday by an industry organization.

Streaming services in the UK recorded nearly an eight percent increase in revenue, reaching around two billion pounds (approximately $2.5 billion) in 2023, according to findings from The Digital Entertainment and Retail Association (ERA).

At the same time, vinyl album sales surged by 10.5 percent, totaling 196 million pounds.

"2024 proved to be a fantastic year for music, with both streaming and vinyl achieving unprecedented records in terms of value and volume," stated ERA's chief executive, Kim Bayley.

"This marks a brilliant turnaround for the music industry, as sales have more than doubled from their lowest point in 2013."

The most successful album in the UK was Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department," which achieved sales of 783,820 copies, including almost 112,000 on vinyl.

Additionally, the biggest-selling single of the year was "Stick Season" by Noah Kahan, an American singer-songwriter, with total sales reaching two million.

Bayley emphasized the importance of both digital and physical channels, stating, "We continue to believe that these channels are complementary and crucial for the overall health of the entertainment market."

However, there have been ongoing complaints from many artists regarding their earnings from streaming services, notably with Spotify facing lawsuits in the U.S. last year.

Meanwhile, revenue from CD album sales in the UK remained steady at just over 126 million pounds in the past year, according to the ERA.

Linda Walker, chair of the ERA, noted a significant shift in the entertainment landscape. "For many years, new releases were the primary driver of revenues. In 2024, subscription sales have taken on a much more important role."

music, sales, streaming