Nielsen estimates that 508,000 Glee-related downloads will have occurred during the week of May 23. So far, the show has driven a total of 7.3 million sales. The Rolling Stones's reissue of Exile On Main Street also sold well online this past week, along with new albums from LCD Soundsystem and the Black Keys.
FOX has deftly engaged Glee fans through social media, and the show's popularity with viewers comfortable with tech could be partially responsible for its strong digital music sales. The network hosted a Glee casting call on MySpace, and promoted the new season with an interactive online trailer and a viral video featuring the character Sue Sylvester performing Madonna's "Vogue."
Glee also got iPad and iPhone apps developed by Smule, the makers of Ocarina, Magic Piano and I Am T-Pain.