Singles Chart To Include Streaming Plays

 
Music

Next month will see the UK singles chart incorporate streaming plays for the first time. Using data from sites such as Spotify, Deezer, Napster, O2 Tracks, Xbox Music and Music Unlimited, the change is being hailed as a response to the changing listening habits of a generation.

According to industry rag Music Week, George Ergatoudis, Head Of Music at BBC Radio 1 said: “We are moving from an era of music purchasing to one dominated by music streaming and it is vital that the Official Singles Chart evolves to reflect this. Radio 1’s young audience continue to download digital singles, but increasingly they’re listening to the music they love on services like Spotify, Deezer, Napster and O2 Tracks, so I strongly support the decision to include streaming data in Radio 1’s Official Chart. It future proofs the Official Singles Chart and helps to guarantee its status as the definitive weekly measure of the UK’s most popular singles.”

Whilst the 'Singles Chart' is set to keep its name, it appears that album tracks will also be eligible. The rules will state that a track has to be listened to for at least 30 seconds for the stream to count, and here at Ransom Note Towers we're already trying to scheme some sort of crowd sourced chart rigging shenanigans – just think of all the wrongs we can right together, for nothing! Finally Jamie Priniciple can get the chart success he deserves!