Denmark: digital makes up 82% of recorded music revenues in the 1st half of 2014

Denmark confirmed its status of digital-forward territory as the Danish office of the IFPI released its figures for the recorded music sales in the first half of 2014.

Digital now represents 82% of all recorded music revenues, with streaming bringing in 63% of total revenues.

Downloads now represent 19% of the market while CD and vinyl sales are in third place with 18%.

The Director of the Danish division of the IFPI Jakob Plesner Mathiasen stated: “Two years ago streaming represented just 24% of the market. Today, streaming is up to 63%. It says everything about how crucial it is to adapt and focus on the needs of consumers in our industry."

As far as overall figures are concerned, the Danish market is still growing and is up 2% over the same period in 2013. Considering the sharp drop in download and CD sales it is easy to point to Denmark as a proof that the streaming model is working.

While this may be true on the basis of pure revenues, the jury is still out when it comes quantifying how efficiently those revenues are making their way back to artists and songwriters as well as how the growth of streaming may be impacting local artists who may not receive the same amount of editorial attention as international megastars.


(Andrea Leonelli)