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Outlook for Digital Listening: Moderating Growth

eMarketer looks five years ahead

The number of people listening to music on phones and to digital audio on various platforms will continue to grow, but at a more modest pace.

That’s the indication of two new charts from research company eMarketer.

It says 121.3 million people in the United States will listen to music on a mobile phone this year at least once a month, either via direct download or live stream.

“That equates to 37.1% of the U.S. population, and a jump of 8% over last year,” it stated. But it anticipates the rate of increase to slow over coming years (see red line on the first graphic).

The company also estimates that 185.5 million people in the country will listen to digital audio at least once a month, up 2.9% over last year. (This refers to internet users 12+ who listen to music or other audio content (for example podcasts) via direct download on mobile devices or live stream on any device at least once per month.”

Thus, the firm concludes, about 57% of the population will listen to digital audio at least once a month. Again, the outlook is for continued growth but at a slower rate.

It added that about 38% of the population will listen to digital audio at least weekly this year.

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