Music CD sales down 7% in 2005

According to Nielsen SoundScan, sales of music CDs in the US are down almost 7% from 2004. Album sales in 2004 totaled 480.6 mln; sales through October 2005 reached 446.9 mln. Paid download sales grew 175% the first half of 2005. Nielsen reported digital sales of 101 mln for entire 2004. That number grew to 264.4 mln in 2005. There are more than 230 online sites where consumers can buy music legally, up from 50 a year ago.