Universal Music's digital boss: CD definitely not dead

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Page last updated at 06:34 GMT, Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Interview by Greg Cochrane, words by Del Crookes and Anthony Baxter
Newsbeat reporters Inside HMV store Universal Music's digital boss has told Newsbeat the CD 'isn't dead'

Universal Music's head of digital says there is a future for CD sales.

Paul Smernicki, the director of digital at Universal UK, spoke to Newsbeat as the music and entertainment retailer HMV went into administration.

He said: "[The CD is] definitely not dead.

"We'll see that format decline in terms of its value to the overall business but I certainly don't expect it to completely vanish, certainly not in my lifetime."

There are plenty of people who enjoy their music on physical products

Paul Smernicki Universal Music UK

The label looks after artists from Rihanna and Eminem to newcomers such as BBC Sound of 2013 winners Haim, as well as AlunaGeorge.

According to the body which represents big record labels, the BPI, nearly 70 percent of all albums sold last year were CDs, but digital albums sales are growing.

Paul Smernicki says one of the biggest focuses now is on streaming music.

"I think the UK has more legal, licensed music streaming services than anywhere else in the world," he said.

HMV logo HMV has 239 stores in the UK and Ireland

Figures show more than 1 billion tracks were listened to on legal music services in the past 12 months.

HMV's financial problems are said to be linked to the company's struggle to compete with online music and DVD sales.

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