YouTube streams will no longer count towards US Billboard chart position
The streaming giant will no longer supply data to the music charting body in opposition to its policy of weighing paid-for streams over those that are ad-supported
YouTube streaming numbers will no longer count towards US music chart positioning from January 16, after the platform confirmed it will cease providing data to Billboard.
In a statement shared on Wednesday (December 17), YouTube said it took the decision to end its "over a decade-long" partnership with the chart operator due to its "outdated" formula, which weights streams from paid subscription services over those that are ad-supported.
The move came a day after Billboard's announcement that it will begin "narrowing" the gap between ad-supported and paid-for streams, from their former ratio of 1:3 to 1:2.5, across all of its charts including the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200.
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As Billboard explains, one album sale was the equivalent of 3,750 ad-supported streams, and 1,250 paid/subscription streams, which has now been amended to 2,500 ad-supported or 1,000 paid/subscription streams.
While Billboard claims this means that ad-supported streams will now require 33% less streams to qualify as an album sale, YouTube says the continuation of prioritising paid subscription streams "undervalues" the "incredible work artists do to build a community on YouTube and their massive fan engagement."
"Streaming is the primary way people experience music, making up 84% of US recorded music revenue," YouTube said in its statement. "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."
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On December 18, a spokesperson for Billboard responded to YouTube's decision, writing: “Billboard strives to measure that activity appropriately; balanced by various factors including consumer access, revenue analysis, data validation and industry guidance."
"It is our hope that YouTube reconsiders and joins Billboard in recognising the reach and popularity of artists on all music platforms and in celebrating their achievements through the power of fans and how they interact with the music that they love.”
Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter
