The line graph compares the total number of music sales by the method in terms of their 3 types-streams, downloads, and CDs purchased- from 2011 to 2018. Units are measured in percent.
From an overall viewpoint, downloads and CDs purchased show a downward trend, while streams increased consistently after the timeframe. Of particular note are streams, which rose continually and overtook the lead to become the dominant category.
Beginning at one-third, downloaded music sales rose in the initial five years, thus reaching a pinnacle of just over 40%. From 2015 onwards, however, the figure decreased sharply, hitting a low of 30 percent.
In contrast, CDs purchased sales followed a similar pattern. Although the category for CDs purchased sales stood as the leading section, reaching a peak of approximately 55 percent, it then fell dramatically from under three-fifths in 2011 to just over 30 percent.
On the other hand, streamed music sales experienced a distinct pattern. After streamed music sales occupied the lowest position at about 5 percent in 2011, it went up drastically at a steady pace, exceeding all rates and climbing to the top of just over 40 percent by the close of the timeframe.