Video to enter UK's Official Singles Chart this summer

25 June 2018 - Press release

The UK's Official Singles Chart enters a new era this summer, with music fans' consumption of video counting toward the weekly rundown for the first time, the Official Charts Company can confirm.

Streaming and downloading of videos from artists ranging from Dua Lipa to Drake, Arctic Monkeys to Ariana Grande will count towards the UK's only official singles countdown, which is compiled by the Official Charts Company and unveiled by BBC Radio 1 every Friday afternoon.
 
The change, developed in conjunction with, and supported by, the British music industry and digital platforms, comes as established audio services such as Apple Music and Spotify add video to their offer and as YouTube launches their first subscription service in the UK, signalling a key moment in the development of the premium music video sector.
 
The change is designed to ensure the chart remains a showcase for hit music, however music fans choose to access it. The Official Singles Chart will continue to be the only official and most comprehensive countdown in the UK market, reflecting sales of downloads, CD and vinyl, as well as streams of audio tracks or video tracks, whether on premium subscription or ad-funded services.

The services which will contribute video streams will include Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube and Tidal. The change will be effective from the chart published on July 6.
 
Official Charts Company chief executive Martin Talbot says, "This is a significant step for the UK and ensures The Official Chart (which is unveiled exclusively on BBC Radio 1) 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."
 
Official Charts Company non-executive chairman Derek Allen (svp commercial for Warner Music UK) adds, "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."

The Official Singles Chart, which is unveiled by Scott Mills on BBC Radio 1 from 4pm to 5.45pm every Friday afternoon, is the only countdown owned, run and governed by the UK music business itself. All rule changes are reviewed and agreed in consultation with record labels, retailers and digital music services, across the major and independent sectors.  
 
NOTE: In a parallel change, free ad-funded streams will be weighted at a different rate in the UK's Official Singles Chart compared to streams played under a paid-for subscription from the July 6 chart. 100 streams via a subscription service will equate to one sale, as will 600 "free" streams. This replaces the current combined conversion rate, which treats all streams equally, with one sale equivalent to 150 streams. This will apply to both video and audio streams equally.

The change is being made during a period of great change in the international music market, with markets such as France, Germany, Spain and Italy choosing not to count ad-funded streams at all in their charts, while Billboard has also downrated ad-funded streams against their premium counterparts. The Official Charts conversion rates have been agreed following extensive consultation across the industry and will be subject to review.