US music sales slump eased in 2003: industry

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2004

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US music sales fell again in 2003, but the slump was not as severe as the prior year as music DVDs became more popular, an industry report showed.

The Recording Industry Association of America said the value of music shipments last year fell 4.3 percent following a 6.8 percent decline in 2002, adding that the figures show "some stabilizing trends."

But because prices declined over the year, the number of music products shipped was only 2.7 percent lower. And the fourth quarter showed a 5.7 percent increase in volume from the same period in 2002, the RIAA said.

"The data suggests some stabilizing trends in the music industry," an RIAA statement said.

"The year 2003 was important for the recording industry, with record companies...