Youth Shun Computer Games For Music

Young people are turning their back on computer games and returning to music, according to results of a new survey, Youth TGI 1996.

Findings reveal that youth are now much more likely to buy pre-recorded music and read music magazines than they were a year ago and have greatly reduced the time they spend playing with computer games.

In the past year buying vinyl albums has increased by 28% year-on-year; buying vinyl singles has gone up 3%; buying CD albums has grown by 9% and buying CD singles has increased 17%. As well as this, readership of NME and Top of the Pops magazine has increased by 10% and 38% respectively in the past year.

In contrast to this, playing of hand-held computer games is down 11% year-on-year and readership of computer games magazines has fallen: Computer & Video Games is down 16%, Mean Machines Sega is 26% down, Gamesmaster is down 8%, Sega Pro has fallen by 40% and Sega Power by 25%.

The survey says: “Young people appear to be much more focused than they were a year ago and they are, once again, buying vinyl records. It seems the success of Britpop explains this renewed interest in music and a move away from computer games. And perhaps vinyl singles and albums are not a thing of the past, but a lower purchase price means they still appeal to the cash-strapped teenager.”

Further information: Julian Tooke, BMRB International, 0181 566 5000