YouTube Squashes Feud With Billboard Charts
A year after the company said it would no longer submit its numbers for chart consideration, it’s reversed course
In 2025, YouTube decided to halt its submission of streams for Billboard consideration, owing to the platform's preference for subscriber streams over free, ad-supported streams. Lyor Cohen, YouTube's global head of music, labeled the alteration as an "outdated formula" that "overlooks the significant fan engagement from those without a subscription."
However, YouTube has now overturned its decision. Cohen announced in an updated note that YouTube would resume its participation in the Billboard charts starting in 2027, aligning with Billboard's updated methodology. This new approach now assigns equal weight to subscriber and ad-supported streams, as opposed to the previous 1:2.5 ratio.
Billboard reduced the ratio to 1:1.5, meaning one subscriber stream carries the same weight as one-and-a-half ad-supported streams. The change is set to commence on January 16, 2027. The reason behind YouTube's initial withdrawal from the Billboard charts remains unknown, and a response from the company is awaited. Meanwhile, YouTube accounts can once again include the platform in their efforts to elevate their favorite artists on the Billboard 200.
Written by urgent.news from Pitchfork's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
