Streaming accounted for half of the UK’s music consumption in 2017

The British Phonographic Industry reported big numbers in music consumption for 2017, particularly in streaming. Total consumption for the year increased 9.5% to a total of 135.1 million albums and album-equivalents. The year saw 68.1 billion audio streams served, reaching more than half of the UK’s music consumption. The 2017 streaming results marked a 51.5% rise from 2016 and a 1,740% rise from 2012.

UK artists represented eight of the top ten best-selling albums of the year. Ed Sheeran led that list, and was the most-streamed artist in the UK.

“Whilst the rapid growth of streaming and resilient demand for physical formats gives us confidence for the future, it is important to remember that the music industry still has a long way to go to recover fully,” BPI CEO Geoff Taylor said. “Structural challenges must be overcome if long-term growth is to be sustained.”