UK’s Singles Chart to include music streams

The UK’s Official Singles Chart will include audio music streams from next month.

The change, set to be implemented for the first time in the July 6 top 40 chart at 4pm GMT, is the biggest change to the chart since its inception in 1952. The inclusion of streaming data will be based on units sold and streams in the UK from the seven days beforehand with a full top 100 chart publishing at 7pm GMT that evening on OfficialCharts.com.

While the Official Charts Company (OCC) did launch a streaming chart in May of 2012 with associations and co-owners BPI (British Recorded Music Industry) and ERA (Entertainment Retailers Association), this is the first time the official chart hasn’t been based on sales alone.

Streaming services like Spotify, Deezer, Napster, Xbox Music and Sony Unlimited will supply weekly data to the OCC however YouTube’s controversial paid-for streaming service won’t be counted.

The change shows OCC, BPI and ERA are keeping up with the times. A study unveiled by the companies in January showed the value of music streaming surpassed £100 million for the first time in history last year. Around 7.3 billion tracks were streamed on audio services, a figure that had doubled from 2012 and played a hand in helping streaming represent over 10% of UK trade income from recorded music.

BPI has also announced the chart change will affect the Platinum, Gold and Silver certifications with streaming figures now counted towards certifications of singles.

“Audio streaming has grown at an extraordinary rate over the past year – and the time is now right to take this important step,” said Official Charts company’s Chief Executive Martin Talbot in a statement. “[…] We have been looking at this possibility for some time and now feel comfortable that our methodology is correct and that summer 2014 is the time that we should add audio streams.”