Apple is #1 (in music)
Ars Technica is reporting that the NPD Group’s numbers are out! Apple is the number one distributor of music. They sell more music than anyone else, well, besides those “others” who are always throwing a wrench in the plan.
Credit: Ars Technica
Apple was in third place in just June of 2007. They have been steadily climbing upward since then. Amazon.com is in 4th place, even with their cheaper, higher quality, DRM-free music.
It seems that now would be a dangerous time for Apple to make many changes to their business model. Doing anything that is not “fair” to competition could land them in hot water. Being number one is a dangerous, yet good place to be.
I would say that if Apple does pursue the subscription music model now that they are number one, eMusic is likely to sue them for anti-competitive practices. Being number one will hurt Apple more than anything else right now. When they were number two, they could always claim they were just trying to carve out their share. Now, any increase or change in practices could easily be seen as squeezing more out of everyone else.
Update: Apple officially announced that it was the number 1 retailer in online music today. Money quote:
“We launched iTunes less than five years ago, and it has now become the number one music retailer in the world,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “We are thrilled, and would like to thank all of our customers for helping us reach this incredible milestone.”
In other words, “Thanks, iTunes users for lining our pockets!” Congrats to Apple.
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#1 Steve in Denmark says:Surely ‘Other’ is the top retailer?
They look to be running away with it.
#2 Leo says:What about Zune/ Microsoft/ MSN?
#3 Quix says:Being “number one” does not necessarily a monopoly make. Especially at just 19% of the market. All this talk of “anti-competitive practices” are just FUD from Apple’s competitors, at least at this early stage of the game. Apple is hardly in control of the music business, despite the wails and gnashing of teeth from the music labels.
Speaking of anti-competitive monopolies, where is Microsoft’s Zune Marketplace on this chart (to repeat Leo’s question)? Bwa ha ha ha!
#4 Scooter says:This is most likely a seasonal thing due to xmas gift cards but, no matter how you look at it, this is great for Apple and its shareholders… Movies and Tv are next…
#5 Loveshield says:Were is the record companies themselfs as “retailer”?
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