The controversy surrounding MP3 companies and the legality of downloading digital music has generated increased attention to online music sites, according to Internet audience measurement service Nielsen/NetRatings.
Specifically, WindowsMedia.com experienced the largest growth of 154% at-work and a 151% at-home. Meanwhile, sonicnet.com’s traffic rose 75% at-work and 79% at-home, and audiohighway.com’s audience increased 92% at-work and 68% at-home.
The sample, conducted in April, consisted of 57,000 at-home and 8,000 at-work Internet users.
“Despite rumblings from the recording industry about illegal circulation of songs via MP3 files, the Web has become a viable platform on which artists can market their music,” said NetRatings Internet strategies director Timothy Sean Kelly, in a statement.
Network
