NPD Group: 2012 Illegal Music File Sharing Down Significantly

Increased Use of Legal Streaming Services Credited Illegal music file sharing declined significantly in 2012, according to a new study from The NPD Group. Their "Annual Music Study 2012" reports the number of consumers using peer-to-peer (P2P) services to download music fell by 17 percent last year, compared to 2011. When P2P file sharing peaked in 2005, one in five Internet users aged 13+ (33 million people) used P2P services to download music. Last year that number fell to 11 percent (21 million people). The volume of illegally downloaded music files from P2P services also declined 26 percent, compared to the previous year; however the NPD Group found that P2P wasn't the only sharing activity to shrink. Music files burned and ripped from CDs owned by friends and family fell 44 percent, the number of files swapped from hard drives dropped 25 percent, and the volume of music downloads from digital lockers decreased 28 percent. According to the NPD study, 40 percent of consumers who had illegally downloaded music via P2P services in 2011 reported that they had stopped or downloaded less music from P2P networks. The primary reason given for this decline in file sharing was an increased use of free, legal music streaming services. Nearly half of those who stopped or curtailed file sharing cited the use of streaming services as their primary reason for stopping or reducing their file-sharing activity. "For the music industry, which has been battling digital piracy for over a decade, last year was a year of progress," says Russ Crupnick, SVP of Industry Analysis at NPD. :Among other factors, the increased use of legal and licensed streaming services has proven to be an alternative for music fans who formerly used P2P networks to obtain music." More than two years after Limewire was shut down, nearly 20 percent of P2P users who reduced or stopped their P2P activity cited the fact that that their preferred service was closed, or that the services they used created issues with spyware and viruses. "In recent years, we’ve seen less P2P activity, because the music industry has successfully used litigation to shut down Limewire and other services; many of those who continued to use P2P services reported poor experiences, due to rampant spyware and viruses on illegal P2P sites," added Crupnick. Launchpad Digital Media Launches PodcastOne Launchpad Digital Media launches PodcastOne.com, "a single online destination that makes it easier to discover and download the most popular podcasts." PodcastOne.com, we're told, is already home to more than 200 major podcasts including Adam Carolla, CBS News, Dr. Drew, Tom Green, Dennis Miller, Ron Paul, Laura Ingraham, Penn Jillette, Maria Menonunos and more. Behind PodcastOne.com is Westwood One founder and Courtside Entertainment CEO Norm Pattiz. He tells us, "What others have done with music, we are doing with the spoken word -- help listeners discover This is a powerful promotional vehicle for any program looking to grow audience in a big way. In addition, by delivering talk, comedy, news, sports and entertainment radio as on-demand podcasts accessible via the Internet, Podcast One expands the reach of national radio programs to every listener in the country. From the time I started Westwood One, radio has always been about knowing what listeners want and giving it to them. With today's technology the listener wants control. Podcast One gives them the power they desire to discover great content on their terms, while providing programs with an exciting new avenue to target and grow audience." Launchpad Digital Media President Kit Gray adds, "Podcast One helps people spend less time searching for great content and more time discovering and enjoying it," added . "The site's discovery feature and easy-to-use social network interface allow Podcast One to provide programs with unprecedented exposure to a previously untapped audience." WXKS-AM/Boston Ditching Comedy for Biz News "Matty's Comedy 1200" WXKS-AM, Boston, apparently believes the All Comedy format isn't making enough people laugh (or even chuckle). The Clear Channel station is set to flip to Business News airing Bloomberg Radio, March 1. WXKS-AM launched "Matty's Comedy 1200" last year when it ditched a News Talk format. The "Matty" came from sister CHR-Top40 morning host Matty Siegel who supposedly chose the content to make people laugh (or at least chuckle). And in case the new Business News format's content makes people especially unhappy, they can get an HD Radio receiver and listen to the displaced Comedy format on the HD2 channel of WJMN-FM, according to Clear Channel Boston -- which reportedly wasn't happy with the lack of audience for "Matty's Comedy" at 1200 AM. (We hope that at least the way we reported this item will make at least one person chuckle.) Java Joel Named APD/MD at Cleveland's 'Kiss' Clear Channel CHR-Top40 "96.5 Kiss FM" WAKS-FM, Cleveland, afternoon host Java Joel is upped to Assistant PD and Music Director, effective immediately. He will continue hosting the afternoon show, and also remains Music Director for Adult Variety Hits clustermate "106.5 The Lake" WHLK-FM. "Kiss" Program Director Bo Matthews tells us, "He has been assisting with these efforts since he made the move to afternoons in December. He possesses an unquestionable passion for the position, and will help take WAKS to great places. He has done an outstanding job in his positions and will continue great work in his expanded role." Matthews didn't tell us if he calls his new APD "Java" or "Joel" when he's not on the air. Sun Replaces Dial Global as TRN Rep Talk Radio Network ends its advertising sales and affiliate relations relationship with Dial Global, signing a new agreementl with Sun Broadcast Group. Sun will now provide national ad sales representation and assist in station affiliation for all products of Talk Radio Network. The new partnership expands the firm's portfolio of news, talk and entertainment programming that Sun has represented since 2008. TRN's lineup of talent includes the recently launched "The Andrea Tantaros Show," along with Jerry Doyle, Rusty Humphries, Phil Hendrie and others. Says Sun Broadcast Group CEO Jason Bailey, "In this day of safe, personality driven radio, the stable of talent that TRN continues to expand is something we are very proud to present to our agency partners. From new entertaining talk products to amazingly produced long form news, I believe the iconic brands that have put their faith and trust in Sun over these last several years will be excited to become part of this new direction in network programming." TRN CEO Mark Masters tells us, "We look forward to a long and prosperous alliance with Sun Broadcast Group. Jason and his team understand what it takes to succeed in radio today. We are pleased that our products will be well represented with Sun as we continue to grow each and every one of the TRN companies." TRN's split from Dial Global had been expected since last August when TRN sued Dial Global in U.S. District Court seeking to use federal antitrust laws to break up the company. Veteran radio/media reporter Tom Taylor, in his "Now" newsletter, notes that in January, "13-year TRN executive Jim Watkins joined Florida-based Sun as its new VP of Programming," as he reports TRN's switch from Dial Global to Sun. Although we reported Watkins move last month, we didn't make that connection until we read Taylor's Thursday (Feb. 28) report. Eastman Promotes Nina Mauro to Philadelphia SVP/DOS Eastman Radio promotes Nina Mauro to SVP/Director of Sales in Philadelphia. Mauro joined Katz Radio in New York as an AE in 1990, and.transferred to the Philadelphia office in 1993 as a Senior AE. She was promoted to Manager later that year. She was named Vice President of Sales in 1996, then followed by VP/Director of Sales for the Katz Radio Group in 2005. "Nina has shown incredible leadership and talent throughout her tenure," says Eastman Radio President Tucker Flood. "She has been a driving force in delivering great results for our clients, and we are delighted to watch her continue to grow and succeed at Eastman." Mauro started her media career in television representation at Harrington, Righter and Parsons. She transitioned to media buying, spending several years at McCann Erickson, and then Bozell and Jacobs, before joining Katz Radio in New York. Eastman Radio joined Katz Radio Group in 1990. Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio At CHR-Top40 "92.3 Now" WNOW-FM, New York, Micki Gamez moves from afternoons to middays while Zann now hosts afternoons. Toro is hosting 6-10pm, and Eutopia airs late nights. Ty Bentli's "Ty Loves New York" morning show remains in place as the other lineup changes take effect ... At Hot AC "K-Twin" KTWN-FM, Minneapolis, the team of Mark Rider, Ron Coomer and Lindsay Guentzel will take over afternoons, March 4. Also joining the lineup at the same time are Jason Nagel and Rod Simons, who take nights ... Adult Variety Hits "Voodoo 104" KVDU-FM, New Orleans, names John "Jag" Gray its new Program Director and afternoon host. Gray most recently hosted middays at CHR-Top40 "Channel 955" WKQI-FM, Detroit ... Classic Country "Country Legends 100.7" WMUV-FM, Brunswick, Georgia, covering the Jacksonville market, flips to Mainstream Country as "Country 100.7" ... Following the exit of Ben Rogers and Jeff "Skin" Wade from KESN-FM, Dallas, the ESPN Radio station is airing Colin Cowherd 9-11am, and Ian Fitzsimmons moves from the afternoon "Galloway and Company" show to team with ESPN Dallas writer Richard Durrett for an 11am-3pm show that essentially replaces "Ben and Skin".