Why the ITunes Superfan is Still the Most Powerful Force in Music

Don’t count iTunes out in the streaming era. While global statistics show that the average listener takes in music via streaming, a recent report from Bloomberg highlights how this narrative misses a crucial segment of the market. Tucked into the reporting are several illuminating stats that prove the digital download is far from dead.

The Superfan Stronghold

The most staggering discovery is that more than 80 percent of iTunes users are not Apple Music subscribers. This massive cohort represents a distinct audience that prefers ownership over access. According to Apple representatives, nearly half of the top 10,000 best selling albums on the platform each quarter are new releases. This points to a vibrant community of active buyers rather than a group fueled by nostalgia for legacy tracks.

A Decade of New Growth

Perhaps even more surprising is the timeline of user adoption. Roughly half of current iTunes users only started purchasing music from the platform within the last ten years. This growth coincides directly with the 2015 launch of the Apple Music streaming service. It suggests that even as streaming became the industry standard, a new generation of listeners chose to invest in digital libraries. Record labels have taken notice and are now strategizing on how to harness this high margin signal to boost album release weeks.

The Power of Ownership

Activity among downloaders continues to shift the cultural needle. Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart recently saw Bruce Springsteen claim his first ever number one on the survey with the protest track “Streets of Minneapolis.” The success of the song, which sold 16,000 downloads in just two days, proves that paid downloads remain a vital tool for immediate impact.

While streaming offers undeniable convenience, physical and digital ownership provides a level of security that the cloud cannot guarantee. If you truly love an artist and hope to enjoy their work for years to come, the smartest move in 2026 is to invest in the tangible. In an industry of temporary access, ownership is the ultimate statement of fandom.