First it was records, now its CDs that are set to take a back seat in the internet age.

Online streaming has topped CD sales revenues for the first time in the United States, as music listeners flock to on-demand services and internet radio.

The Recording Industry Association of America says streaming revenue came to 1.87 billion US dollars last year, edging out the 1.85 billion US earned by CD sales.

Streaming has helped stabilise the bottom line for the long-troubled industry, with overall revenue from recorded music going up two per cent to 4.86 billion US.