 Robbie Williams played three shows at Knebworth last summer |
Artists including Coldplay, Robbie Williams and U2 have sparked a huge increase in music DVD sales in the UK, according to new figures. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) says sales have almost doubled thanks to DVDs featuring artists live in concert.
The best-selling music DVD of last year was Coldplay's Live 2003.
And Williams' DVD of his Knebworth shows, What We Did Last Summer, sold 46,000 copies in its first week alone.
According to the IFPI, 6.4 million music DVDs have been sold in the UK in the past year - an increase of 95%. Of those sold, 60% are of live performances.
Consumer demand
"Very often people have seen the concert and it is a way of capturing the moment, but for some it is a chance to see it for the first time," said Gennaro Castaldo of HMV.
The IFPI has predicted that sales of music DVDs will continue to increase.
"The music industry has both fuelled and responded to consumer demand for DVD music video by providing both quality and quantity," it said in its report.
"Strong growth is expected again in 2004 as consumers extend DVD buying beyond just their favourite artists and choice is widened."
Beyonce's Live DVD and Christina Aguilera's Stripped: Live In The UK are among those tipped to be best sellers in 2004.
One-Minute World News 
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