At last, the Billboard 200 albums chart will integrate streaming data
The Billboard Hot 100 chart started taking streaming data into account in March 2012. Bach then it was a big change and signalled, way before streaming became mainstream, where the music industry was heading.
Now, over two years later, the Billboard 200 albums chart has finally decided to play catch-up. Starting on the 3rd of December Billboard and Nielsen SoundScan will start integrating data on streams and downloads of tracks (“track equivalent albums”), in a move that is likely to disrupt the chart considerably.
According to the new rules, 1,500 song streams from on-demand music streaming services will equate to an album sale, whilst 10 downloads of individual tracks from an album will be considered as a “track equivalent album”.
The New York Times reports that the move could help albums by big pop stars who tend to have a strong first week of sales and the drop off the charts, since their streaming activity tends to be high.
The new system is likely to hurt the chart position of artists who decide not to put their albums on streaming services. Those who have an issue with spotify but don't have the same profile are likely to reconsider their position.
(Andrea Leonelli)