You Tube streams are now being considered when compiling Billboard charts. This means a big change to the the Billboard 100 methodology.
Billboard and Nielsen announced today the addition of U.S. YouTube video streaming data to its platforms, which includes an update to the methodology for the Billboard Hot 100, the preeminent singles chart.
The YouTube streaming data is now factored into the chart’s ranking, enhancing a formula that includes Nielsen’s digital download track sales and physical singles sales; as well as terrestrial radio airplay, on-demand audio streaming, and online radio streaming, also tracked by Nielsen.
Billboard is now incorporating all official videos on YouTube captured by Nielsen’s streaming measurement, including Vevo on YouTube, and user-generated clips that utilize authorized audio into the Hot 100 and the Hot 100 formula-based genre charts – Hot Country Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, R&B Songs, Rap Songs, Hot Latin Songs, Hot Rock Songs and Dance/Electronic Songs – to further reflect the divergent platforms for music consumption in today’s world.
Monetized song parodies will also count. In other words, if a song evolves into a major internet meme, such as “Call Me Maybe” and “Gangnam Style” did last summer, You Tube views could have a major impact on their chart positions. Currently, “Harlem Shake”, the latest You Tube craze, is the beneficiary of the rule change It debuts at No. 1 on both the Hot 100 and Streaming Songs charts and jumps 12-1 on Dance/Electronic Songs with 103 million views, according to YouTube.
What do you think of the change?
Via Billboard.com
