Major change in Billboard Country charts calculations :(

[luvravens]

Billboard Introduces New Chart Methodology
Print This Post
Jon Freeman • October 11, 2012

Billboard has revealed a new methodology for a handful of its charts, including Hot Country Songs, that will give a “major consumer-influenced facelift” to its measurement tools. Other charts undergoing the change include Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Latin Songs.

Since the advent of BDS in 1990, Hot Country Songs ranked titles entirely monitored airplay data. Going forward, the chart will incorporate digital download sales (measured by Nielsen SoundScan) and streaming data (measured by Nielsen from Spotify, Muve, Slacker, Rhapsody, Rdio and Xbox Music) along with the BDS monitored airplay measurement. The new chart will also incorporate data from over 1200 stations of all genres for songs receiving crossover airplay.

“The way people consume music continues to evolve and as a result so do our genre charts, which now track the many new ways fans experience, listen to and buy music,” says Silvio Pietroluongo, Billboard Director of Charts. “We’re proud to be offering updated genre charts that better reflect the current music landscape.”

Factoring in these new metrics will likely mean some big changes, week-to-week. And indeed, Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” reaps the immediate benefits of dominating both the streaming and download worlds and lands at No. 1 on the new chart. Interestingly, “Never Ever” sits at No. 36 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, which will measure only BDS airplay and continue to appear on Mondays.

The change also coincides with the launch of a second weekly Billboard Country Update product, which will be distributed on Thursdays.

***Big Machine has found a way to have Taylor Swift's new POP cd dominate the country charts. Lets think about it really -only TAYLOR SWIFT gets huge amount of crossover airplay. It should be called the "Taylor Rule"! The beginning of true country not being represented on the charts***

[Desperation]

About the only decent song (don't know if I'd say it's country) off her new album is Begin Again. The rest is repetitive pop garbage. Sorry for any of her fans who disagree. Not trying to stir the pot just stating my opinion.

It's just a chart. Have to look at it from a quality vs. quantity standpoint. If an artist charts 100+ singles because of this, how many will actually have any artistic merit? A handful, if that.

_________________

[lucky_ducky101]

I am a Taylor fan and even I think it is crazy. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" is a cute pop song. "Red" isn't even released officially and I do like "Began Again". I don't think she should be 1,2, and 10. That leaves artists like Alan, George, and Miranda out to dry according to Billboard.

_________________

Thanks ErinBeth


Thanks Hayley aka SmokinGun

2011 & 2012 Ran Fan Most Cheerful Award