German music fans are driving up sales, especially in streaming services. But vinyl records are also experiencing a comeback.
The demand for records on the German music market is growing. This is evident from the figures published in Berlin by the Federal Association of the Music Industry for the first half of 2024. According to them, vinyl again recorded a growth spurt of 5.4 percent compared to the same period last year and has a 5.9 percent market share.
However, more than 85 percent of sales between January and the end of June were generated through digital offerings – particularly through audio streaming. Demand among music fans continues to grow here.
According to the information, a total of 1.136 billion euros had been generated from music by the end of June. By comparison, the figure for the same period last year was 1.056 billion euros. This represents an increase in sales of 7.6 percent. The market is developing dynamically, said the association of around 200 record producers and music companies.
Vinyl and streaming offerings complement each other
Despite the continued popularity of vinyl, demand for physical recordings – which also include CDs, DVDs and singles – is declining significantly overall. By mid-year, they accounted for just under 15 percent of sales.
According to the chairman of the German Music Industry Association, Florian Drücke, 2024 has got off to a good start. It is clear that the attractiveness of streaming services continues to grow. “The ongoing upward curve of vinyl shows that the physical and digital worlds remain complementary and interact with each other.” Fans listen to and use music in all ways.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
