A new report on the Internet habits of Swedes shows a continued reduction in illegal file sharing and downloading, and an increase in legal streaming. About 2.5 million Swedes stream music today and of that number 800,000 are paying customers to streamed music services. The report was conducted by Mediavision * on behalf of the music industry association, Musiksverige.

- The long-term trend is a sharp increase in legal streaming while we see a reduction in illegal file sharing and downloading, said CEO of Musiksverige Elizabeth Widlund.

In the past year, the number of music downloads has witnessed a drop of about 9 percent. Last summer there was a marginal increase in illegal file sharing, while the number of paid users dropped, but these changes are within a certain margin of error.

The willingness to pay for music continues to grow, even among those who went over to the paid Spotify Premium service when Spotify limited their free version on May 1. Close to 800,000 paying customers who stream their music can be found in Sweden, an increase from the previous quarter. The services that replaced the free Spotify servicewere primarily legally streamed material, as opposed to illegal file sharing and downloading.

An upward spiral can be seen in those who use streaming services. An increased interest in music is in most cases is often a key factor in the choice of legal services, from 18 to 23 percent in the past six months. This reinforces further the interest in music and the willingness to pay for music.

- When 800,000 Swedes are willing to pay for streamed music, there is clearly a market for more legal alternatives in the digital music market. We encourage a diversity of music as it will provide better conditions for both those who create music and those who listen to it, says Elizabeth Widlund.

* The independent analysis and research firm Mediavision has conducted surveys and interviews regarding the Internet habits of Swedes since 2009.

Read the full report from Mediavision here »

For more information

Elisabet Widlund, CEO Musiksverige, tel: 073-044 94 09, elisabet@musiksverige.org

Musiksverige is an association tasked with communicating and highlighting the industry’s key topics for discussion. We represent artists, composers, songwriters, musicians, records labels and music publishers in Sweden. Our primary goals are to provide commercial Swedish music with the best possible foundation and environment needed to create, develop and thrive internationally.