Billboard Now Factors YouTube Data Into its Chart Rankings

Get ready from some big changes in The Billboard music charts. Yesterday, Billboard announced YouTube’s streaming data will help determine the hottest songs in America, a move that could feature new artists or result in endless charts topped by Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga. 

“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,” Billboard announced in a statement

So what does this mean? See Baauer’s “Harlem Shake.” The song is currently number one on both the Hot 100 and Streaming Songs charts, but would only rank fifteenth on the Hot 100 if Billboard didn’t factor YouTube into its calculations. Memes featuring “Harlem Shake” went viral this week (such as the Norweigan Army one pictured above), amassing millions of views from around the world. 

Billboard likely incorporated YouTube as a way to stay relevant to music fans, but not everyone agrees with the decision.

“BIG JOKE!,” one commenter wrote in response to Billboard’s announcement. “So only Taylor & Bieber will be #1 now? Wait about the artists that have an older fan base that don't even use Youtube?

Others disagree.

“This methodology gives people the power to choose what they like,” one reader wrote. “The consumer rules!”

What do you think about Billboard’s decision?

Source: http://blog.starcam.com/post/Billboard-Now-Factors-YouTube-Data-Into-its-Chart-Rankings.aspx

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