Luminate

REPORTS

Luminate Releases 2021 U.S. Midyear Report

Nearly 16 months after the COVID-19 pandemic led to global shutdowns, consumers are finally starting to return to the activities they love, and music remains at the top of that list. Overall consumption grew 13.5% year-over-year (YOY) during the first six months of 2021, thanks to a 15% lift in on-demand audio streaming. This can, in part, be attributed to new releases from Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift and the controversial Morgan Wallen. These encouraging growth rates come a year after overall consumption experienced an 8.6% decline during the first eight weeks of COVID-19 lockdowns, from mid-March to mid-May 2020, a sign that music is still playing an important role in consumers’ daily habits as the U.S. reopens. Lastly, for the first time at the midyear point in Luminate’s history (since 1991), vinyl album sales outpaced CD album sales — with vinyl album volume at 19.2 million versus CD album volume at 18.9 million. Vinyl’s impressive 108.2% YOY increase allowed total industry physical albums to experience its first year of growth in years.

Globally, audio streaming’s growth continued to heat up in territories like Japan, Poland and Turkey, which posted the highest year-over-year volume growth during the first two quarters. This was reflected in hits by Nathan Evans, NCT Dream and more on the Billboard Global charts during the measured time period.

Download the full Luminate U.S. Midyear Report below for all the biggest trends to date in music consumption.

Thank you! Please click the button below to download.

If you enjoy the insights in our reports, we also offer the most comprehensive analytics platforms across the entertainment landscape.

Discover Music Connect, the industry’s global music measurement platform providing a holistic view of streaming, sales, and airplay for artists, albums and songs.

Access verified and up-to-date metadata on people, projects, and companies that work in the entertainment industry with Luminate Film & TV.

Answer the why behind consumers’ entertainment behaviors, attitudes, and preferences with Luminate Insights.

After you submit your details, please look for the download button.

Explore Our Range of Products

As entertainment’s preeminent data and insights company, our services unlock the most trustworthy information across music, film and television.

Interested in Luminate Music?

Request a demo for our subscription-based music platform or our data management and matching services.

Interested in Luminate Film & TV?

Inquire about our verified film & TV metadata and DEI entertainment information and resources.

Interested in Luminate Insights?

Inquire about consultative services available in global research, audience insights and brand marketing across all entertainment.