The recent decision by high street retailer Woolworths to stop selling CD singles has triggered the doom merchants to sound the death knell of the CD. The reason given for the demise of CD appears to be the boon in music downloading, for use on iPods and MP3 players. Whether the music is being downloaded legally or illegally seems to make no difference, it’s largely responsible for killing off the CD.

Music downloading has been around for some time now, but hasn’t been as prevalent as it is now because of the lack of penetration of broadband. As broadband suppliers have become more competitive in their pricing structures, and have begun to offer cheaper, unlimited download packages, users are beginning to make use of their broadband connections to stock their music libraries.

NME believes it’s the widespread use of broadband that has sounded the end for the CD. Paul Stokes is NME’s music editor; he believes CD singles could become something you’ll only find in specialist shops. He also mentions how the inclusion of music downloads in the top 40 chart has further promoted the download service.

So many people listen to music on iPods and MP3 players anyway then why bother going out buying a CD single ripping it onto the iPod and playing it when you can click on it and have it straight away in your player?