In the 12 years since Spotify first made its presence felt in the United States, we’ve seen a major shift in the way Americans consume music. Fast forward to today, and it’s clear that streaming music has become woven into the fabric of our daily lives. According to the latest insights from the 22nd edition. MusicWatch’s annual U.S. music survey, an astonishing 91% of the U.S. internet population joined a music streaming service last year. This data heralds a new era in which more than half of U.S. Internet users ages 13 and older (109 million people) subscribe to music streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music Unlimited. Masu.
The changing landscape of music streaming
The journey from the early days of Internet music streaming to its current state reveals an interesting evolution in user behavior and technology. At first, streaming was a novelty that only 56% of Americans enjoyed. This number jumped to 69% in 2014 and easily exceeded 80% in 2018. The year 2023 was a milestone, with the music streamer reaching over 90% of the internet population for the first time. This growth is not just about numbers. It’s about how and why we listen. MusicWatch counts streaming in a variety of formats, from ad-supported platforms like Spotify and Pandora to video services like YouTube, excluding short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.
The role of the internet and devices
The growth of the U.S. internet population from approximately 125 million in 2012 to 193 million in 2023 highlights the explosive growth in popularity of music streaming. This isn’t just about more people coming online. It’s how they access the internet. The transition from dial-up to high-speed home Internet, coupled with the advent of mobile Internet, had a huge impact. Additionally, the reasons behind paying for subscriptions are evolving. Early adopters were drawn to features like playlists and social network connectivity. As MusicWatch’s Russ Crupnick points out, the convenience of listening seamlessly across different devices and settings is a major motivator these days.
The economics of music streaming
As music streaming services become an essential part of our lives, per capita spending on recorded music has also increased significantly, increasing by 7% from 2022. This increase can be attributed to internal growth and price inflation. Services such as Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music are increasing their prices. These adjustments reflect the value that users find in these services, ensuring they can access their favorite songs anytime, anywhere.
Music streaming has undoubtedly changed the landscape of music consumption in the United States, permeating every corner of daily life. As technology and user tastes continue to evolve, the blend of accessibility and fun promises to keep music streaming melodies alive for years to come.
[H/T] – Billboard
