US performing rights organization Broadcast Music, Inc (BMI) has predicted that the US ringtone market will fall by $50 million in 2007, down to $550 million in retail sales. This is the first dip after phenomenal growth: BMI pegged the US ringtone market at $68 million 2003, $245 million in 2004, $500 million in 2005 and $600 million in 2006.
The fall in ringtone revenue was partially offset by the new ringback tones, which BMI projects will generate around $65 million in 2007.