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I'm going to toss out an observation for all you music experts to ponder:
I am guessing downloads are losing the race because the music consumers of today (let's call them 'Twerps') are looking for the latest, greatest and "coolest" music and are very quick to toss yesterday's hits in the bit bucket. Unlike the Old Days where music classics (all the way from Standards to Metal) continued to be played on several genres of classic music stations. That has yet to happen across the nation with "new" music yet and I'm not sure it will have a market if and when someone tries it out.
In a related, but somewhat disjoint topic, I am continually amazed that American Idol uses so many classic songs in its programming. The audience (mostly made up of Twerps) seems to know most of those songs even as they are not the perfect material for the performers. Were I a performer I would not want to be compared to a very popular artist of yesterday by covering his/her music.
It's not free to the services, but free to many (most?) of the users.
That's the problem. It promotes music as free. That's the wrong message. If you want to hear music done your way, you should pay for it.
Thus the music industry is opposed to free ad-supported streaming, and is encouraging streamers to offer it as a paid subscription service.
Are they opposed to radio too? I don't see how they can have it both ways.
...the kids today have very poor communication skills.
You were doing fine until you inserted (let's call them 'Twerps'). Congrats on blowing your credibility. Again.
I've had both real, and online convos with 20 year olds (and younger people than that) and they are capable of communicating effectively.
Were not in as much trouble as you think. Many 20 year olds communicate effectively. The only difference between now and then is the dumb ones can immerse themselves in texting.
...Music downloads and CDs are things. ...