March 27, 2008

By By Antony Bruno, Denver

BMI expects ringback tones to lead the way in mobile music growth this year as ringtone revenues begin to decline. The performing rights organization projects ringback tones will exceed $210 million in U.S. sales in 2008, a 50% increase over 2007 estimated sales of $140 million.

Ringtones will see much less growth, BMI says. The performing rights organization expects $510 million from ringtone sales in the U.S. for the year. That figure, while more than the ringback tone category, represents a 7% slip from the $550 million collected last year, and marks the second straight year that ringtone revenues have fallen in the U.S.

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