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One Direction help world's music business get back on track One Direction help world's music business get back on track
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One Direction's appeal may be lost on anyone old enough to remember John Major as prime minister. But along with fellow Brit act Adele and the continuing growth of digital sales, the boy band's worldwide success helped boost global music revenues for the first time in 13 years in 2012.One Direction's appeal may be lost on anyone old enough to remember John Major as prime minister. But along with fellow Brit act Adele and the continuing growth of digital sales, the boy band's worldwide success helped boost global music revenues for the first time in 13 years in 2012.
The music industry has declared itself on the road to recovery after reporting that 2012 was the first year of global revenue growth since the height of the CD era in 1999, when Britney Spears and Boyzone topped the charts.The music industry has declared itself on the road to recovery after reporting that 2012 was the first year of global revenue growth since the height of the CD era in 1999, when Britney Spears and Boyzone topped the charts.
Recorded music revenues rose 0.3% year-on-year to $16.5bn (£10.9bn) in 2012, according to a report by music industry body the IFPI published on Tuesday.Recorded music revenues rose 0.3% year-on-year to $16.5bn (£10.9bn) in 2012, according to a report by music industry body the IFPI published on Tuesday.
Adele's 21 became the first record to top the global album chart for two consecutive years since the IFPI began reporting worldwide bestsellers in 2001.Adele's 21 became the first record to top the global album chart for two consecutive years since the IFPI began reporting worldwide bestsellers in 2001.
Simon Cowell's One Direction were the biggest breakthrough artist by some distance as they had two albums in the global chart, with Up All Night and Take Me Home in at No 3 and No 4 respectively.Simon Cowell's One Direction were the biggest breakthrough artist by some distance as they had two albums in the global chart, with Up All Night and Take Me Home in at No 3 and No 4 respectively.
There was little mention of shrinking physical sales in the annual report, as the beleaguered recorded music industry hailed the continued rise of digital listening as its saviour.There was little mention of shrinking physical sales in the annual report, as the beleaguered recorded music industry hailed the continued rise of digital listening as its saviour.
Total recorded music sales have shrunk by 40% since the turn of the millennium, from $27.8bn in 1999 to $16.5bn in 2012.
Physical music sales continued to account for the majority of the industry's revenue last year, down from $9.9bn in 2011 to $9.4bn in 2012.
Digital music revenues were up 9% last year, to $5.6bn, as downloads and subscription and ad-supported streaming services such as Spotify became available in 100 markets around the world.Digital music revenues were up 9% last year, to $5.6bn, as downloads and subscription and ad-supported streaming services such as Spotify became available in 100 markets around the world.
Download stores, such as Apple iTunes, accounted for 70% of digital music revenues in 2012 – but it was the growth in subscription services such as Spotify that caught the eye.Download stores, such as Apple iTunes, accounted for 70% of digital music revenues in 2012 – but it was the growth in subscription services such as Spotify that caught the eye.
There are now 20 million paying online music subscribers worldwide, up 44% on 2011, according to the IPFI, contributing more than 10% of total digital revenues for the first time.There are now 20 million paying online music subscribers worldwide, up 44% on 2011, according to the IPFI, contributing more than 10% of total digital revenues for the first time.
"It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air," said the IFPI chief executive, Frances Moore."It is hard to remember a year for the recording industry that has begun with such a palpable buzz in the air," said the IFPI chief executive, Frances Moore.
"These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetised the digital marketplace.""These are hard-won successes for an industry that has innovated, battled and transformed itself over a decade. They show how the music industry has adapted to the internet world, learned how to meet the needs of consumers and monetised the digital marketplace."
However, these success stories were unveiled against a backdrop of continuing widespread internet piracy.However, these success stories were unveiled against a backdrop of continuing widespread internet piracy.
Moore said global music markets remain "rigged" by illegal free music as she called for greater action by governments, search engines and internet service providers.Moore said global music markets remain "rigged" by illegal free music as she called for greater action by governments, search engines and internet service providers.
She added: "This is a really pivotal moment on the path to recovery for our industry, but it's still fragile and there are many things that need to be done to ensure that path to recovery continues."She added: "This is a really pivotal moment on the path to recovery for our industry, but it's still fragile and there are many things that need to be done to ensure that path to recovery continues."
The IFPI report estimated that almost a third of all internet users regularly use unlicensed sites. Google's pledge last year to demote copyright-infringing websites had seen "no demonstrable impact", the report claimed.The IFPI report estimated that almost a third of all internet users regularly use unlicensed sites. Google's pledge last year to demote copyright-infringing websites had seen "no demonstrable impact", the report claimed.