YouTube Streams Will Once Again Count Toward Billboard Charts
The post YouTube Streams Will Once Again Count Toward Billboard Charts appeared first on Stereogum .
Billboard is set to start counting YouTube streams again in music charts starting 2027, according to a recent announcement by YouTube executive and music industry veteran Lyor Cohen. Billboard's method of measuring music popularity has always been complex due to the ever-changing landscape of how people consume music. In the past, Billboard only counted official singles releases in the Hot 100 chart, even if the song was widely available on radio and television.
Moreover, music videos on television or YouTube did not contribute to the charts, despite their significant cultural impact. YouTube had been factored into Billboard's charts since February 2013, allowing songs like Baauer's Harlem Shake to break into the charts. However, in January 2023, YouTube withdrew its data from Billboard, citing the outdated system's failure to account for free, ad-supported streams and the massive engagement from non-subscribing fans.
Billboard has now agreed to bring YouTube streaming data back into its calculations starting January 16, 2027, for the upcoming charts. The change will be reflected in the rankings for the week starting January 1-7. The adjustment to the rules for counting ad-supported streams will reduce the weight of one album purchase to match that of YouTube streams.
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