February 03, 2010

In sign of a memorable year to come in music, this week’s annual Grammy awards broadcast saw its highest TV audience ratings in six years.  That’s right -- 25.8 million fans turned to their tube on Sunday to root for their favorite nominees, watch live performances and surprising song renditions, experience artist tributes and much more!  

So just how many fans are 25.8 million fans?  According to The New York Times, about 1/3 more fans than watched the Golden Globes (17 million), almost double the Emmys’ audience (13.5 million), and more fans than watched any NBC NFL Sunday night prime-time football game this season.  And to keep the comparison in our own backyard, this year's Grammy ratings are 35% higher than the ’09 awards show.  That’s 6.8 million more music fans year-over that were able to experience a connection to the musicians and music they love without having to leave home or spend any additional money.  For music companies actively looking for opportunities to expand artist to fan interface, this year's improved Grammy viewership is a positive sign.  Perhaps even a harbinger of good things to come for online sites like the MySpace Musics or Vevos of the web designed to fulfill fans’ appetite for their favorite acts and music whenever they want it.  

What’s more is that we’re already seeing early reports citing the Grammy’s immediate impact on music sales.  This week Billboard reported that digital music purchases at iTunes and Amazon bumped from about 8,000 units pre-show to almost 25,000 during/post.  That’s three times the standard sales rate!

Any way you slice it, these factors leave us on a great note from Grammy’s “good, good night.”  (All due credit to The Black Eyed Peas’ inspiring “I Gotta Feeling” live Grammy performance -- been in my mind ever since!)

Liz Kennedy, Deputy Director, Communications, RIAA