The official UK singles chart is set to include YouTube, Apple, Tidal and Spotify streaming views for the first time in a bid to reflect the rise of online music.
From July 6, the charts will include online video views and music streaming data in addition to digital downloads and traditional CD and vinyl sales.
The change is designed to ensure the charts keep up with the music habits of younger listeners, with YouTube heavy-hitters like Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa likely to benefit most.
The official UK singles chart is set to include YouTube, Apple, Tidal and Spotify streaming views for the first time in a bid to reflect the rise of online music. Pop star Dual Lipa fronted a video for the Official Charts Company announcing the changes (pictured)
Dua Lipa’s video for her single New Rules was the most watched YouTube clip by a British female in 2017, racking up 60 million views in the UK alone.
Sheeran’s Shape Of You is Britain’s most watched song-clip of the past five years with more than 776 million UK views.
Streams from YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify will be used by the Official Charts Company to work out the Top 100 starting this Friday.
The first list to include hits from the streaming services is to be published July 6, the company announced on Sunday.
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.’
Online music downloads were added to the official chart in 2005, while the ranking was expanded to include tracks streamed online in 2014.
The change is designed to ensure the charts keep up with the music habits of young listeners, with YouTube heavy-hitters like Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa likely to benefit most. Sheeran’s Shape Of You is Britain’s most watched song-clip of the past five years (file photo)
The changes followed a period in the Nineties when sales of physical singles had dropped sharply from their high of 89 million records sold in 1979.
The Official Charts Company said it will now weigh free streams funded by ads at a different rate to streams played under a paid-for subscription from the July 6 chart.
One hundred streams via a subscription service will equate to one sale, as will 600 ‘free’ streams.
This replaces the current combined conversion rate, which means all streams are treated equally – with one sale equivalent to 150 streams.
Dua Lipa’s video for her single New Rules was the most watched YouTube clip by a British female in 2017, racking up 60 million views in the UK alone (file photo)
It will apply to both video and audio streams equally.
The Official Charts conversion rates have been agreed following consultation across the industry – including record labels – and will be subject to review.
Derek Allen, a senior vice president of 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.’