THE UK Singles Chart is to include streamed music for the first time.
The weekly calculation’s biggest ever shake-up is aimed at reflecting the
fast-growing internet music trend.
The Official Charts Company aims to give a more accurate survey of listening
habits in the digital age.
Its move is being welcomed by the music industry and radio stations —
including Radio 1, which airs the flagship Top 40 rundown every Sunday. The
station’s first show using the new data will be on July 6.
Every 100 streams of more than 30 seconds — when royalties kick in — will
count the same as one paid-for download, CD or vinyl single.
While that appears a small ratio, stats reveal Brits now stream a vast 260
million songs every week on to phones, tablets and computers via providers
like Spotify, Deezer and Napster — up from 100 million in January 2013.
The nation listens to more music than ever before — re-energising an
industry that gave the world The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
And the top streaming acts are not obvious modern pop stars like One Direction
or Rihanna but rock bands.
Bastille’s anthem Pompeii, which was No2 in the charts, is the UK’s most
streamed track.
Singer Dan Smith said: “It was amazing that it has topped 26 million streams.
It’s good streaming is going in the chart, which must reflect how people
digest music now.”
Charts chief Martin Talbot revealed Glastonbury headliners Arctic Monkeys are
the most streamed act.
He added: “The Official Singles Chart has always been the definitive measure
of Britain’s music tastes.
“It has evolved through the years with vinyl, cassettes and CDs and this is
the latest stage of that progression.”