The UK’s Official Singles Chart will now count video consumption for the first time – while streams played on ad-funded tiers are being significantly down-weighted.
Video streams on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube and Tidal will be included from the weekly chart from Friday, July 6th. Two different calculations will be used for ad-funded and premium streams from the same date.
One hundred streams happening on a subscription tier will equate to one single sale, while 600 streams happening on free ad-funded tiers will also count for one sale.
Currently, there’s no difference between the weight given to both ad-funded and premium streams on the UK singles chart – 150 of either make up one sale.
The conversion rates have been agreed following extensive consultation across the industry and will be subject to review.
The OCC has taken the lead from Billboard, which recently updated its Hot 100 singles and Billboard 200 albums chart to give greater emphasis to paid subscription streams.
Billboard first introduced YouTube numbers into its singles chart three years ago, when video streams counted the same as audio streams from services like Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon.
Now, paid subscription streams from premium tiers on streaming services represent a full point value per play, whereas ad-supported streams (which include YouTube) have been downgraded to a 2/3 point value per play.
“The addition of video ensures that the Official Singles Chart reflects the creativity of the artist in the broadest way possible – and music fans’ engagement with that vision.”
martin talbot, official charts company
The Billboard 200 albums chart has two tiers of on-demand audio streams; 1,250 paid subscription streams, or 3,750 ad-supported audio streams, equate to one album unit.
The Billboard 200 continues to exclude video streams and there’s no update to the UK’s Official Albums Chart.
Official Charts Company chief executive Martin Talbot said: “This is a significant step for the UK and ensures The Official Chart continues to be the most comprehensive and trusted chart in the UK, bar none.
“Consumption of recorded music via more than 15,000 retailers, download stores and streaming services of all kinds contribute to the weekly chart countdown.
“In the modern era, artists are increasingly multi-faceted creators, with a highly developed visual sense running in parallel with their music.
“The addition of video ensures that the Official Singles Chart reflects the creativity of the artist in the broadest way possible – and music fans’ engagement with that vision.”
“It’s always been important that the Official Charts keep pace with an ever evolving and dynamic market, while also retaining their integrity.
“These latest changes are just another step down that road.”
derek allen, warner music uk
Official Charts Company non-executive chairman Derek Allen, who is SVP Commercial for Warner Music UK, added: “It’s always been important that the Official Charts keep pace with an ever evolving and dynamic market, while also retaining their integrity, something which has set the UK charts apart from many of those operating elsewhere around the world.
“These latest changes are just another step down that road.”
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