News Billboard will no longer count YouTube streams toward their charts (1 Viewer)

[centen]

Source: https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/youtube-billboard-chart-update/

Relevant quote:

Billboard uses an outdated formula that weights subscription-supported streams higher than ad-supported. This doesn't reflect how fans engage with music today and ignores the massive engagement from fans who don’t have a subscription. Streaming is the primary way people experience music, making up 84% of U.S. recorded music revenue. We’re simply asking that every stream is counted fairly and equally, whether it is subscription-based or ad-supported—because every fan matters and every play should count.

After a decade-long partnership and extensive discussions, they are unwilling to make meaningful changes. Therefore, after January 16, 2026, our data will no longer be delivered to Billboard or factored into their charts.

 

[centen]

A few days behind, but I came across this news just now after seeing a YouTube short talking about it.

Considering how much fans really organize getting YouTube views up, and the dependency Kpop companies have on ads for new releases, I could see this adversely affecting Kpop songs' charting: whether they even make it on the chart, how high up they rank, and how long they stay on.

I know some people say YouTube is irrelevant, but APT was the fifth fastest song to 1 billion views EVER. It's clearly a way a lot of people engage with new releases.

 

[velvet]

With how stale the charts are I have a feeling this is a good thing.

Edit:

YouTube short

Watched this. I thought smaller artists would be boosted by this considering just how lfew small artists actually make it but no it's gonna have the adverse effect. Funny how that works. I retract my statement lmao, would still love to see a change in the charts that actually accounts to how quick the industry moves rather than how slow it seems.

 

[centen]

With how stale the charts are I have a feeling this is a good thing.

Edit:

Watched this. I thought smaller artists would be boosted by this considering just how lfew small artists actually make it but no it's gonna have the adverse effect. Funny how that works. I retract my statement lmao, would still love to see a change in the charts that actually accounts to how quick the industry moves rather than how slow it seems.

100%. I think the bigger problem is the fact that Billboard is still counting radio play so heavily, and radio tends to play safe, known songs for long periods of time.

If they were going to cut anything, I think they should have cut radio plays over YouTube streams. At least YT, by and large, is still songs people deliberately sought out to listen to, not just whatever was on during the drive.

 

[eclipsoul]

i don't go there as most people i listen to are not even coming close to the billboard charts in the year 2026 but it actually sounds like an awful thing? after all, youtube is still a main source of music for many people and the only one that lets you appreciate music videos.

imo they should do something about all the variants and remixes artists these days keep dropping so their position remains high, like whenever there was another song possibly climbing to #1 these past few weeks, taylor swift would release another remix of ophelia and now there's opalite being released... on two CDs. one song. things like these are the reason why recent chart hits are barely even memorable to the general public

100%. I think the bigger problem is the fact that Billboard is still counting radio play so heavily, and radio tends to play safe, known songs for long periods of time.

If they were going to cut anything, I think they should have cut radio plays over YouTube streams. At least YT, by and large, is still songs people deliberately sought out to listen to, not just whatever was on during the drive.

agreed on this and i don't even live in the us, in poland the airplay charts are dominated by songs like that annoying collab between the lose control guy and the girl who did dance monkey and some edm slop that i have never seen anyone listen to in their free time. also the one radio station i have on in my house cannot go longer than 5 hours without playing sombr's 12 to 12