UK's Official Trending Chart celebrates first birthday 06 Mar 2017
Announces MTV broadcast partnership and expanded streaming service exposure
A data-driven hit predictor - 80% of Trending Chart Number 1s became Top 10 hits
The UK's Official Trending Chart is celebrating its first birthday this month, with the news that it is set to become the subject of a new show on MTV UK.
The chart, compiled by the Official Charts Company and published weekly on OfficialCharts.com, is designed to highlight the hottest new emerging hits every week and has established an 80% strike rate over the past year. It will be the focus of the new one-hour Official Trending Chart countdown. The show will premiere on MTV Hits each Tuesday at 7pm, before then being re-broadcast 11 more times through each week.
In addition, the chart will be the focus of a roll-out of Official Charts on streaming services over the coming month, across Spotify, Deezer, Napster and Apple Music,
Already exposed to up to 3 million unique users per month on OfficialCharts.com, the MTV roll-out will begin from 7 March - premiering at 7pm Tuesdays on MTV Hits, with further broadcasts scheduled across MTV Hits, MTV Music and Viva from Tuesdays to Fridays each week.
The new exposure will be further extended as part of Official Charts' roll-out of its brand presence on UK streaming services. The Official Chart, will be made available officially for the first time across Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, and Napster from this coming month.
In addition, the Official Chart team's data-driven curation will power a selection of weekly updated playlists, including the Official Singles Chart (Fridays), Official Trending Chart (Tuesdays). Providing a weekly nostalgia fix, every Thursday the Official Chart Flashback will travel back to the chart on this week in history.
Plus, the first ever Official playlist of Every Official Number 1 Single Ever will also be launched – 1,300 chart-topping songs, in chronological order, starting at Al Martino's 1952 hit Here In My Heart, through to (currently) Ed Sheeran's Shape Of You.
A data-driven hit predictor, discovering future chart smashes before they happen
The move to make the Official Trending Chart a core playlist will be part of an ongoing drive to support new and breaking talent.
Launched one year ago, the Official Trending Chart was devised as a data-driven means of highlighting the hottest new tracks beginning to make an impact in the UK. Coming as a response to the shifting patterns of releases in the streaming era that typically sees releases now enter the Official Chart lower down before ascending to their eventual chart peak over the course of several weeks.
Since then, the chart has proven to be a highly successful predictor of hits – published halfway through the week, the chart specifically spotlights tracks that are yet to break the Official Singles Chart Top 10, but showing signs of week on week chart position growth, ranked by sales and audio streams.
In the first year of the new rundown, topping the Official Trending Chart has meant:
· The track has an 8 in 10 chance of becoming a Top 10 smash on the main Official Chart
· More than half (59%) will hit the Top 5
· You've got a virtually guaranteed Top 20 hit on your hands – 96% of Trending Chart winners went on to peak inside the Official Singles Chart Top 20
· 60% of Official Chart Number 1s across the last 12 months had previously topped the Official Trending Chart earlier in their release journey
Example trending tracks showcased by the Official Trending Chart since launch:
· Mike Posner's I Took A Pill In Ibiza - crowned Number 1 on the Official Trending Chart in early March 2016 as it went on a seven-week climb to Number 1 on the main Official Singles Chart where it then stayed for four weeks.
· Chainsmokers ft. Halsey's Closer – this summer anthem was earmarked for success when it became Trending Chart Number 1 in mid-August, before rising to the top of the Official Singles Chart in September, a whole five weeks after it first entered the Top 100.
· Other trending tracks flagged early by the chart include Neiked's Sexual, Calum Scott's Dancing On My Own, James Arthur's Say You Won't Let Go, The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk's Starboy and Zara Larsson's breakthrough solo single Lush Life.
Official Charts Company chief executive Martin Talbot comments:
"We are delighted that MTV has decided to support the Official Trending Chart after its first year, and join us in our ongoing efforts to support the breaking of new hit records and new talent in the UK. Our move to also focus on streaming playlists provide a further opportunity to bring this exciting weekly chart to life for the millions of consumers accessing the growing band of streaming services in the market."
MTV's Senior Music Commissioning Editor Jeremy Davies adds:
"Our viewers love the Official Charts so we are delighted to exclusively reveal the Official Trending Chart on our Channels. It promises to be a real showcase for future hits and rising stars".
NEWS & PRESS
Cutting Edge Group acquires music catalog of award-winning composer John Paesano
Deal includes scores from billion-dollar franchises including Maze Runner trilogy,Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Invincible, and Marvel’s Daredevil, adding over 80 premium film, TV and video game scores to Cutting Edge’s portfolio. Cutting Edge Group (“CEG”), the leading specialist investor in and manager...more
10 UK music creators receive support to attend Eurosonic Noorderslag 2026 through PRS Foundation’s International Showcase Fund
Supported artists across the UK include EV, Mount Palomar, Plantoid and SOAPBOX 2026 marks the 20th year of International Showcase Fund enabling UK artists to break into new overseas territories PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development,...more
A Greener Future Honours the Greenest Global Events & Festivals
Although last year was characterised by instability and geopolitical tensions, 25 festivals and events spanning 12 countries and 4 continents demonstrated their commitment to a better, greener future, successfully achieving AGF Certification in 2025. A Greener Future (AGF)’s mission is to...more
Merlin Announces its Board for 2026-27, Welcoming Five New Board Members
Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world's leading independent labels and distributors, kicks off 2026 by announcing its new Board, bringing together leaders from the independent music industry in 12 different countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America,...more
Musical AI Raises $4.5M US to Expand its Proprietary AI Attribution Technology
Already in use, Musical AI’s attribution tech can immediately ensure a fully licensed future for AI companies. Musical AI, the pioneering attribution and rights management platform for generative AI, has closed a $4.5M US round led by Heavybit and supported by BDC and Build...more
BBC Radio 2 presents a stellar line-up for Piano Room month
Radio 2’s Piano Room makes a triumphant return next month on Vernon Kay’s mid-morning show (9:30-12pm weekdays) with 16 incredible live performances from a star-studded line-up including Tori Amos, Melanie C, Mumford and Sons, Pulp, Darius Rucker, Labi Siffre and...more
Fender unveils connected music ecosystem with Fender Studio Pro, audio interfaces and controllers
A New Era Of Music Creation Begins With The Next Generation Of Studio One Pro As Fender Studio Pro, Quantum LT, Quantum HD, AudioBox Go™ and Motion™ Production Controllers Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today announced a significant milestone in its evolution...more
Zo Lief announced as Record Store Day Unsigned winner
Record Store Day and Breed Media are delighted to announce Zo Lief as the winner of RSD Unsigned 2025, the nationwide competition celebrating the UK’s most exciting unsigned talent. Selected from hundreds of entries across the country, Zo Lief impressed the judging...more
Merlin: Dan Waite, Better Noise Music CEO – Joins as Board Observer
Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world's leading independent labels and distributors, kicks off 2026 by announcing its new Board, bringing together leaders from the independent music industry in 12 different countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America,...more
Frontiers Label Group launches Blkiiblk Records and appoints Mike Gitter Global Head Of A&R
FRONTIERS LABEL GROUP is proud to announce the launch of its metal, hard rock and extreme music label, BLKIIBLK RECORDS. Having released tentpole signings, BIOHAZARD in 2025; with thrash titans, MEGADETH unleashing their much anticipated, self-titled final album on January 23, Frontiers is taking...more
Watch A$AP Rocky Perform New Music from Don't Be Dumb in Upcoming Episode of Amazon Music’s “Songline” Series
Premiering on Yams Day—January 18—at 9 p.m. ET, this special episode of “Songline” will showcase the hip-hop icon as he brings his new album to life, with special guests and unexpected moments filmed in New York City Watch exclusively on Amazon...more
Eternal Research Opens New Hollywood Studio, the Demon Lair
2026 will mark a series of firsts for Eternal Research, the creative studio building a new multimodal, synesthetic orchestra. One of the biggest developments is that the company will open its first physical location: a studio dubbed the Demon Lair, after...more
Globally renowned independent music retailer Rough Trade announces 50th anniversary plans for 2026
INCLUDING: LIMITED EDITION VINYL RELEASESROUGH TRADE CLUB: ESSENTIAL, A NEW YEAR-LONG VINYL SUBSCRIPTIONEXCLUSIVE LIVE EVENTS+ MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED Throughout 2026, Rough Trade marks its 50th anniversary with a year-long programme of releases and events, reflecting both its history and its...more
Sony Music Publishing Acquires Renowned Nashville Publisher Big Yellow Dog Music
Sony Music Publishing Nashville today announced the acquisition of legendary independent publishing and artist development company Big Yellow Dog Music (BYD), effective immediately. With the agreement, the company now owns and administers Big Yellow Dog’s renowned catalog of songs and serves...more
Peermusic signs producer/songwriter/recording artist Dan Lancaster
Peermusic, the global independent music publishing company with 39 offices in 33 countries, has signed songwriter/producer and recording artist Dan Lancaster to a go-forward worldwide publishing deal as announced today by Ralph W. Peer, Managing Director, U.K., Australasia and Vice President of peermusic's...more
Universal Music Group appoints Hannah Poferl as Chief Data Officer
Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, announced today the appointment of Hannah Poferl as its Chief Data Officer, effective immediately. She will be based in Santa Monica and report to UMG's Chief Operating Officer, Boyd Muir. A...more
Time to stand up for culture - ahead of keynote at Eurosonic, Impala sets out crucial questions on UMG/Downtown, AI, sovereignty and more for EU & music sector
Are diversity, identity, independence and sovereignty important in music? If yes, we as Europeans should strengthen the independent sector today, and not weaken it. This is one of the questions IMPALA's Executive Chair Helen Smith will be pitching at her keynote interview with Ben Homewood,...more
Steve Lamacq and Huw Stephens celebrate Independent Venue Week 2026 on BBC Radio 6 Music
From Monday 26th – Thursday 29th January (4-7pm), BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds will broadcast programmes to mark Independent Venue Week – the UK’s annual, seven-day celebration of independent music and arts venues and the people that own, run and...more
Chandler Limited and Abbey Road announce ‘The Redd Mixing System’
The first EMI recording console in 50 years Today (13 Jan), Abbey Road Studios and Chandler Limited proudly unveil the REDD Mixing System, a groundbreaking, fully modular console that brings together every era of EMI’s legendary recording equipment in one elegant,...more
Sony Music Publishing and Daniel Nigro Sign Global Deal with Jon Buscema
Sony Music Publishing, in partnership with renowned producer and songwriter Daniel Nigro and his publishing venture, Amusement, have signed hitmaker Jon Buscema to a global deal.Jon Buscema has quickly made a name for himself as a trusted collaborator across genres,...more
“Mental Torture for Thousands”: NTIA Seeks Legal Advice on Businesses Marginalised from Rates Support
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has confirmed it is seeking legal advice following continued government signalling, through media briefings rather than formal policy announcements, that upcoming business rates relief may be limited to pubs, while excluding large parts of the...more
Shazam Fast Forward 2026 Revealed
It’s the start of a new year, which means Shazam Fast Forward is back with its 2026 class. Fast Forward takes a look ahead at some of the most exciting talent being discovered on Shazam. Spanning 20 genres and 22...more
Live music for everyone continues as Reading four-piece open Brixton stage to grassroots talent
BAND EXTEND £1 BRIXTON SHOW COMMITMENT OFFERING UNSIGNED UK BAND/ARTIST SUPPORT SLOT AT LANDMARK SHOW BANDS/ARTIST TO ENTER HERE Following the landmark announcement of their historic £1 headline show at O2 Academy Brixton, Only The Poets are taking their commitment to accessible live...more
BRITs Week 26 for War Child, Delivered by DHL
In More Venues Across the UK Than Ever Before The Biggest Artists, Playing Their Most Intimate Shows: Fatboy Slim, Myles Smith, Lambrini Girls, Jacob Alon, kwn, Josh Baker, Rossi., Jack Savoretti and Katherine Jenkins OBE to play exclusive shows in aid of...more
BMG to relocate global headquarters to iconic Lumina building in Berlin
BMG has announced it will move its global headquarters to the top floor of the iconic Lumina building, formerly Galeries Lafayette, in Berlin in early 2027. The move follows a lease agreement with leading global real estate firm Tishman Speyer. The...more
The Music Industry Therapist Collective CIC (MITC CIC) Announces Nonprofit Status, Expanding Global Mental Health Support for the Music Business
The Music Industry Therapist Collective CIC (MITC CIC) today announces its transition to a nonprofit organisation, unlocking new funding opportunities and partnerships to scale specialist mental health support across the global music industry. The move to nonprofit status will enable MITC...more
Europe's Live Events Sector Calls On EU To Stop Predatory Ticket Resale
Over 130 artists and professionals urge EU Commissioner to consider resale within Digital Fairness Act Signatories span 23 countries, uniting the worlds of popular and classical music with theatre, dance, and sports in protest against resale fraud Over 130 representatives of the...more
Ministry of Sound Undergoes Huge Renovation Ahead of 35th Anniversary Year
A new KV2 sound system, multi-dimensional light installation, and a fully redesigned dancefloor and DJ booth will be completed in January Ministry of Sound is set to undergo the most significant transformation since it opened in 1991. A complete reimagining of sound, space...more
Nightlife Bosses Push Back: ‘It’s Not Just Pubs Under Threat’ Says NTIA
Sector anger grows as government rhetoric suggests only pubs may receive business rates relief in today's media leak Nightlife operators and cultural venue owners have pushed back against government and media suggestions that only pubs will benefit from upcoming business rates reductions. Industry...more
Independent Venue Week 2026: January 26th - February 1st
IVW Artist Ambassadors’ Nova Twins, Brògeal and Eve Goodman announce exclusive live shows to celebrate the importance of independent venues Nova Twins play a hometown gig at London’s Amersham Arms on January 27th Brògeal perform two Scottish shows across the week at...more
THE HEADLINES
Impala sets out crucial questions on UMG/Downtown, AI, sovereignty and more for EU & music sector (see Comment)
Spotify’s new co-CEOs highlight what’s ahead for the company (see Digital)
Music publishers sued by X in growing licensing battle (see News)
Call on EU to clamp down on unauthorised ticket reselling (see News)
Lucian Grainge outlines UMG's 2026 plans in staff memo (see News)
Skye Newman wins Radio 1's Sound of 2026 (see News)
Spotify now lets you share what you’re streaming in real time with friends (see Digital)
Streamed and retail entertainment sales grew four times faster than UK economy in 2025 (see News)
UMG announces collaboration with NVIDIA to pioneer responsible AI for music discovery, creation, and engagement (see News)
2026 music industry predictions (see Features)
New wave of global British breakthrough talent helps UK recorded music grow for 11th consecutive year (see News)
What’s going to give you the marketing edge in 2026? (see Features)
The global value of music copyright hits an all-time high (see Reports)