Streaming, CDs or vinyl: we reveal how you listen to music

The next time a young person in your life scoffs at your 'prehistoric' collection of CDs, you can tell them you’re at the absolute cutting edge.

Because it turns out that music is a bit like fashion: if you wait long enough, your choices will be on trend again. 

According to the latest figures, sales of CDs are rising after 20 years of catastrophic decline caused by the popularity of, first, downloads onto MP3 players in the early 2000s, then streaming. 

In fact, physical music sales – including vinyl and cassette – are up 11% year on year, says the Digital Entertainment and Retail Association.

• CDs are the most popular way of listening to music for the 2,800 Saga customers in our poll: 53% use them, rising to 56% of those in their 70s.
• 35% of customers are streaming music too, using Spotify, BBC Sounds, Apple Music or similar.
• Streaming is less popular than CDs for older customers (30% of 70-somethings stream and 56% listen to CDs).
• For 60-somethings it’s more balanced: 46% stream and 52% listen to CDs.
• Streaming wins for 50-somethings: 51% vs 36%.
• 18% use an MP3 player/iPod, 9% use cassettes and 2% use MiniDiscs.
• Music listening falls for those 80+ (radio is where it’s at), though 16% of those in their 80s are streaming.

Vinyl and CDs are being rediscovered by younger people

So why are physical formats on the up? Some experts say the ease and relative low price of streaming has reignited people’s love of music, which has brought them back to buying CDs/vinyl.

There’s also a backlash against streaming among 20-somethings.

"They like the idea of harking back to a slower time – marketers call it deceleration," says Gennaro Castaldo at trade body the British Phonographic Industry.

"'Boomers' have been the keepers of the flame and have consistently bought vinyl and CDs, and perhaps also influenced younger fans who are seeing physical formats with fresh eyes. 

"There’s an authenticity and a more emotive connection to these formats that digital music platforms don’t necessarily generate. 

"Streaming is brilliant but you’re dipping into songs, influenced by algorithms.

"With physical albums, the artist is telling their story."

Good old vinyl continues to be popular: in our survey, 20% listen to records, which remains solid across the age groups, though more with men than women (23% vs 17%).

More men stream too (41% vs 29%) and they listen to music more often than women (61% daily vs 56% of women). 

Our vinyl fans (53%) say they feel an emotional connection to records, which isn’t shared by those who play CDs; only 28% feel it.

That’s maybe because there’s a ritual around records: removing it from the sleeve, admiring the art, placing the needle, then turning the record over, says Dr Sophie Whitehouse, lecturer in marketing at King’s College London, who has investigated the pull of vinyl.

"It’s a holistic experience. My study showed the relationship with vinyl starts long before playing the record."

The vinyl fans she interviewed felt they listened more attentively.

"The format demands your attention. You can’t flick through the tracks as easily, and if you’re going to all that effort it tends not to be for background music."

When it comes to watching films, streaming is winning over DVDs.

• 65% of under-70s are streaming their TV/movies (56% pay for one or more subscriptions), falling to 55% of 70-somethings, and 34% of ages 80+.
• A third (31%) of our respondents watch DVDs (of which 39% still buy new ones). And, unlike CDs, it’s doubtful there will ever be a resurgence of VHS: only 5% still own and watch their videotapes.