Music listeners who subscribe to a service are listening to more music, have discovered new artists, have had their tastes expanded, and have discovered new genres. These are the results of a survey, conducted by the Digital Media Association (DiMA), which also said that 75 percent of online music customers have recommended a particular service to a friend or co-worker.

The report summarized: "These findings demonstrate that real music fans -- and today’s musictastemakers -- are online," said DiMA Executive Director Jonathan Potter. "This makes the 2006 holiday sales jump in music devices and sound recordings exponentially more important to artists, songwriters, producers and music publishers, as online music’s impact extends way beyond immediate revenues. Consumers of innovative online music services are reviving the music economy as they enjoy more music and more new music in every way possible, and most importantly, as they introduce their friends to the music and online services they enjoy."

About half the fans are spending more than US$200 per year and 30 percent are spending more than US$300 per year online. "Prior to the digital age, someone who purchased six CDs per year -- valued at just over $100 -- was considered a significant music consumer," said Mr. Potter. Finally, the survey also found that listening to and purchasing music over the Internet increases concert attendance. A full 15 percent of online music fans say they now attend more concerts.

In comparison, the bankruptcy filings of Tower Records and Sam Goody’s parent Musicland Holding Corp in 2006 tend to confirm that the disruptive technology ignited by Apple, iTunes and the iPod has changed the music industry forever. Winners and losers in the music business will henceforth be determined by their Internet savvy and their connection to customers, core strengths of Apple.