BBC Radio 1 to countdown ‘The Official All-Time Download Top 100’ of the past 10 years

10 April 2014 - Press release

On Monday 21st April from midday to 7pm, Radio 1 DJs Fearne Cotton, Scott Mills and Jameela Jamil will celebrate 10 years of music downloads being included in the Official Singles Chart. Fearne and Scott will start ‘The Official All-Time Download Top 100’ countdown as compiled by The Official Charts Company, and then Jameela will take over to finish the countdown and reveal the Number 1 spot and the most popular download of the decade.
 
The legitimate digital music market took off ten years ago in 2004 and BBC Radio 1 was the first radio station to start including legal downloads in the Official Singles Chart. 
 
George Ergatoudis, Head of Music, BBC Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra said, “Downloads started arguably the biggest revolution in the history of the music industry, transforming the way audiences discover and enjoy music. After a decade of legal downloading in the UK it’s time for Radio 1 to celebrate with a countdown revealing the nation’s Top 100 most downloaded songs. Given how much choice and how quickly music fans can now access their favourite songs, there may be a few surprises in store!”
 
According to The Official Charts Company, the continued rise in music downloads means that today in the UK, the singles market is now more than 99% digital. There have been more than 1.17 billion single track downloads bought in the UK in the past ten years.
 
Who will have the most downloaded track of the decade? Could it be Adele or Rhianna? Perhaps it’s Lady Gaga? Or will One Direction beat them all? And will all those reality TV stars and reunited 90’s boy bands have earned a place on ‘The Official All-Time Download Top 100’ chart? Tune in to BBC Radio 1 on Easter Monday between midday – 7pm to find out.