British Music Rights Survey Reveals Teenage Music Consumption Behavior

British Music Rights has released the results of an extensive survey investigating the music consumption behavior and experience of young people aged 14-24. The largest U.K. academic survey of its kind was carried out in February and March of 2008 by the University Of Hertfordshire.

Music Experience and Behavior in Young People presents a number of headline messages, according to BMR, including the news that “14- to 24-year-olds love music – arguably more than any previous generation.” But their consumption of music is changing significantly, and the perceived value of sharing, recommendation and copying have all increased, according to the survey. The report states that emotional importance does not correlate with spending, especially compared to other entertainment sectors.

Around 90 percent of respondents now own an MP3 player. They contain an average of 1,770 tracks, half of which have not been paid for. Fifty-eight percent have copied music from a friend’s hard drive to their own, and 95 percent copy music in some way. Sixty-three percent download music using P2P file-sharing networks; 42 percent have allowed P2P users to upload music from their computer. Much of this behavior is viewed as altruistic, reports the survey.

But there may be hope for the industry: 80 percent of current P2P users would be interested in a legal file-sharing service, and they would pay for it, too. Reports of the death of the CD have been greatly exaggerated, apparently: even if a legal file-sharing service existed, over 60 percent say they would continue to buy CDs. The survey also reports that money spent on live music exceeds that spent on recorded music.

Feargal Sharkey, chief executive of British Music Rights, states, “The music industry should draw great optimism from this groundbreaking survey. First and foremost, it is quite clear that this young and tech-savvy demographic is as crazy about and engaged with music as any previous generation. Contrary to popular belief, they are also prepared to pay for it, too. But only if offered the services they want. That message comes through loud and clear.”

Read the entire British Music Rights report.

Author: FutureMusic

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