According to the IFPI Report release in London on 1 October World sales of recorded music fell by 10.9% in value and by 10.7% in units in the first half of 2003. Unauthorised file-sharing and commercial piracy were major factors in the decline. At the same time DVD music sales grew sharply and a there was a marked increase in the availability of legitimate online music, with 300,000 tracks now on offer online. There was however some surprising snippets of good news, in Europe, Austria and Finland showed sales increases, driven by successes with local repertoire. Sales in volume terms increased in Norway, while in the UK album sales rose by 4% and singles in Spain enjoyed a great success In the US, Latin Music sales underwent a revival in 2003, up 29%, and jazz sales increased 35%.

Interim sales of all audio and music video formats were worth $US 12.7 billion, compared to $US 14.2 billion in the same period of 2002. Within this figure DVD music video showed substantial growth in both units (up 46%) and value (up 55%), and now represents more than 5% of global music sales. The interim sales traditionally only account for around 40% of the annual figures, with the remaining 60% of sales occurring in the busier second half of the year, with releases planned for a good number of major international artists figures will hopefully see an upturn.