TELECOMWORLDWIRE-20 December 2005-UK Christmas number one could be determined by digital music sales(C)1994-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD http://www.m2.com

The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has revealed that weekly digital music sales could exceed 1m for the first time and help determine this year's Christmas number one in the UK charts.

Weekly sales often exceed 650,000 and the demand for digital music players such as the iPod is expected to boost sales, while the BPI anticipates digital music sales will increase further in 2006. The BPI said download sales have achieved a 400% increase on 2004, reaching 23m already, and while downloads accounted for 25% of weekly singles sales this time last year, they now account for around 70%.

According to a representative of the band Nizlopi, prior to its JCB single reaching the current number one, downloads accounted for 24% of sales. The BPI said an increase in CD sales is expected during the week up to Christmas and/or the following week - Christmas singles are very popular as stocking fillers and 70% of singles are sold as downloads.

The 'That's My Goal' single from X Factor winner Shayne Ward is available as a download before it can be purchased in the shops and bookmaker William Hill has predicted the single will reach number one for Christmas.

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