RIAA FINDS HI RES HEATING UP

More than 33k albums representing nearly 400k tracks are currently available in studio quality formats to stream or download in the U.S., according to an RIAA study released today at the Music Biz confab.

It’s a 29% increase over this time a year ago, as major labels are now releasing some 1,000 albums per month in studio quality formats. Studio quality is defined as a category encompassing both Hi Res Audio (48khz/20-bit or higher) and the studio production format of 44.1kHz/24-bit audio.

“To meet fans' growing demand for the highest-quality sound, labels have made the development of the hi-res music market a top priority,” RIAA Chief Technology Officer David Hughes said. “It’s another example of how labels continue to drive music forward and provide fans new ways to listen and engage with music.”

The report was issued as a new hi-res audio showcase, The Future is Now Music Experience, opened in the Viola Room on the second floor of Nashville's JW Marriott hotel.

The RIAA had a few more data points about how much hi-res audio is available: 77 of the 100 best-selling gold and platinum albums; 79 songs in one streaming service’s all-time Top 100; 78 of the Top 100 albums of 2018; and 68% of one major streaming service’s Top Weekly Tracks.