Universal Music had a convincing lead over the other three major labels in 2007 to maintain its dominance as the largest music company in the USA.
The four major labels are Universal Music, Sony-BMG, Warner and EMI.According to Nielsen SoundScan, Universal had 31.9% of the overall market in 2007 and lead with current albums, catalogue albums and digital track sales.
For digital album sales, Universal tied with Warner.
Independent labels had a combined market share of 13.48%, which was a slight increase on the 12.61% market share of 2006.
The combined Sony and BMG was the number two company with a 24.97% market share. Individually, Sony and BMG both lagged behind Warner. Warner has a 20.28% markets share, Sony has 13.86% and BMG had 11.11% of the market.
EMI lost more market share in 2007, dropping down to 9.37%.
The overall market share for the labels in 2007 was:
Universal 31.9%
Warner 20.28%
Sony 13.86%
Independents 13.48%
BMG 11.11%
EMI 9.37%
Universal's biggest album of 2007 was Fergie's 'The Dutchess'.
Warner's biggest album (and also the biggest album of 2007) was Josh Groban's 'Noel'.
Sony's biggest album of 2007 was Alicia Keys 'As I Am'.
The biggest independent album of 2007 was Eagles 'Long Road Out Of Eden'
The biggest BMG album of 2007 was Daughtry's 'Daughtry'.
The biggest EMI album of 2007 was 'High School Musical 2'.
