YouTube streaming data returns to Billboard charts, ending major disagreement
YouTube will resume sharing streaming data with Billboard in 2027 after changes to the chart formula give more weight to free, ad-supported music streams.
YouTube is set to return to Billboard charts in 2027, ending a dispute over how music streaming should be counted. The decision comes after Billboard updated its chart formula to give more weight to ad-supported streams. The debate began in December 2025 when YouTube announced it would stop sharing streaming data with Billboard, arguing the current formula favored paid subscriptions over free streams.
YouTube’s global head of music, Lyor Cohen, criticized the system in a blog post, stating it didn’t accurately reflect how people listen to music today. Under the new formula, 1,000 paid streams now equal 1,500 ad-supported streams, while free streams will have a greater impact on chart rankings. This change could benefit many artists, particularly independent musicians with large international fan bases, as YouTube’s data will now contribute to their Billboard performance.
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