9 September 2005

Accessing the Internet for music is rapidly gaining popularity as a download service reveals one in five of their customers are giving up buying CDs.

Around 150,000 of Napster UK's 750,000 members say they prefer to get their music tracks from the Internet. Since Napster launched in May 2004, 50,000 songs have been downloaded whilst CD sales have fallen slightly on last year's record figures.

Napster UK manager, Leanne Sharman said it won't be long until downloads will overtake music shops as the preferred way to buy music:

"I think it's only a matter of time until consumers are wanting digital platforms as their number one method for music consumption. We believe we're in a transitional period. And we believe we will see an increased demand for online personalised music services because it's all about how much time do people have these days."

The figures come just after high street stores, HMV and Virgin, announced their plans to join the download market.

© Adfero Ltd

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