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Call it “Delusional Thursday” if you like, but a recent study from The Leading Question, in conjunction with Music Ally, says UK teens don’t just like CDs better, they prefer them.  In a world where the iPod has become more common than fire from a Sony laptop battery, we are floored by this study’s results. 

2/3rds of UK teens prefer using CDs to share music.  Digital downloads, cassette tapes, and 8-track tapes (presumably) make up the remaining 34% for these 14-18 year-olds.  The study emphasizes the “try before you buy” aspect of streaming and digital music as a way the music industry can sell more records.  59% of those surveyed say they listen to music CDs every day.

As I sit here racking my brain trying to remember the last time I listened to a CD or even bought one, I can’t help wonder how I can explain this survey.  But it gets worse: The Leading Question CEO Tim Walker is quoted on study, “music fans have spoken and digital is evidently not the clear cut replacement to the physical CD.” 

It is interesting to note that the survey excludes those without broadband and mobile phones.  Also interesting is the sample size of 1,000 and note the age range: “the syndicated, proprietary project involves 1,000 face to face interviews with music fans aged 14-64 and a series of in depth focus groups which took place throughout the UK.”

I seriously question this study.  Have I become so immersed in tech that I can’t see out of the tech tower I’ve built?  No way.  Here are the top 5 most likely reasons the study turned up such inconceivable info:
#5: The survey takers hung out inside CD shops interviewing CD customers.
#4: The survey takers hung out inside CD shops inside convalescent homes. 
#3: The survey was conducted only on music industry’s titans’ kids.
#2: UK teens love Sony Walkman CD players. 
#1: UK teens know the sound quality of a CD is so much better than an MP3.

Digital music has so much going for it: cheap to distribute, players are smaller in size, no media to scratch or lose, and runs on pretty Apple products.  What is not to love?  What is your take, what is up with these UK teens?  Let us know in the comments.

Study (Warning: PDF): [MusicAlly]