Was the 2015 A&R hit rate of UK major labels just 5.7%?

Three major labels in the UK signed 156 new artist deals in 2014. This was a significant rise on the equivalent number a year before, according to the BPI, up 30% on the 120 signed in 2013. In fact, it was the highest since 2009, when 164 new deals were signed (presumably across four major labels; EMI still existed back then). That sounds very impressive, obviously. But, as with most dazzling stats, it all depends how you slice the numbers. http://bit.ly/2e9YFDY