One other thing to possibly consider. . .
There might be a “Grass Roots” media market that is not fully represented in these various charts due to the fact that it is Artist direct to Audience and basically unreported.
I mean, one thing that declining costs and increasing quality (in leaps and bounds) of recording gear has facilitated - in concert with the Internet - is the artists ability to create quality stuff and market direct to fans . . . forget the record companies.
The individual sales are smaller, obviously, but when an act sells 5000 CD’s at $10 a pop . . . that’s probably more than the great majority of signed acts ever see from a Record/Media company - especially after “charge-backs” of Studio Time, Advertising, Free Copies, Tour Supports, etc.
So there might be a Good Thing bubbling under all this misery . .
Hugh