CORNERING THE MARKETSHARE: THIRD QUARTER TURN

No one should be surprised that Universal Music Group has maintained its 30%-plus share since last we checked. The top three albums year-to-date—from Eminem, Nelly and Ashanti—combined with an awe-inspiring Q4 release schedule should ensure that UMG ends the year stronger than ever.

Behind UMG is BMG with 16.8%, thanks to albums from Alan Jackson, Pink, Creed and Avril Lavigne. Next is Sony, the only group to have increased its share since last time, with albums from Celine Dion, Shakira, the Dixie Chicks and Bruce Springsteen giving the biggest push. At 16.5%, can Sony catch BMG before the year’s up?

Warner Music Group checks in this time at 15.3%, aided by Linkin Park, still-rising popera star Josh Groban, P.O.D. and Enya. And EMD hangs in with 8.3%, thanks to breakout artist Norah Jones, Kylie Minogue and Now 8.

At the label level, Interscope Geffen A&M (9.6%) remains on top, with Eminem’s Show the best-selling album year-to-date. Island Def Jam (8.4%) also makes a strong showing, with Ashanti its best-selling album and the #3 YTD album overall.

Edging right up to IDJ is Columbia (8.1%), which has made strong moves with not only the Dixie Chicks and Bruce Springsteen, but System of a Down, Nas and John Mayer as well. Epic (6.3%) has also contributed to the Sony thrust, with Celine Dion, Shakira and J. Lo leading the charge. Warner Bros. (6.0) finishes off the label Top 5 with the aforementioned Linkin Park, Josh Groban and Enya, as well as hits from Alanis Morissette and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

UMG 30.6|
BMG 16.8
Sony 16.5
WMG 15.3
EMI 8.3

IGA 9.6
IDJ 8.4
Columbia 8.1
Epic 6.3
WB 6.0
Universal 4.8
Arista 4.4
Atlantic 3.5
RCA Nashville 2.7
MCA 2.5