Universal returned to the top of the Compilation Albums Sales market shares in Q2, after losing its crown to Sony in the first quarter of 2017.
In a tight battle for the sector between its two giants, Universal racked up a 44.6% market share in Q2, up from 37.7% in Q1. Sony scored 36%, down from 38.9% in the previous quarter, but up substantially from Q2 2016’s 28.1% (when Universal posted 39%).
The pair have been locked in close combat since Sony bought Ministry Of Sound Recordings in 2016.
“We have had some solid releases, both at mid-price and full-price which, coupled with Ministry not quite being on song, helped a bit of share in our direction,” David Hawkes, managing director of Universal Music UK’s commercial division, told Music Week. “But there is healthy competition there, and we expect a good fight.”
The two giants share the spoils of the all-conquering Now compilation, while Universal did well in Q2 with the Guardians Of The Galaxy soundtracks and Sing Your Heart Out 2017. Ministry/Sony’s biggest non-Now Q2 comp was I Love Reggae and Peter Leggatt, Sony Music Entertainment UK VP of sales and business development, predicts that album signals a Sony fightback is on for Q3.
“In the last couple of weeks, I Love Reggae has been doing very well,” he told Music Week. “It’s a close race in the compilations department and I expect that healthy competition to continue.”
Universal also leads the half-year compilations rankings, 41.4% to Sony’s 37.4%.
For full analysis of the Q2 figures, see this week’s edition of Music Week, or subscribers can click here. To subscribe and never miss a big music biz story, click here.
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