UK charts set to include digital downloads !

**arronc** · April 17th, 2003, 03:06 PM

"The Official UK Charts company has announced that digital downloads will count towards the total singles chart within 18 months. Only legitimate downloads will count (i.e. not from file sharing networks). In the more immediate future, a separate chart digital download chart will be launched this year.

Though the development brings welcome exposure to the legitimate European online music market, the benefits will be largely marketing orientated until the contributing services provide far greater consumer choice. The charts will be largely fed by OD2 powered services, which (due to the licenses granted to them by the majors) means that the choice of tracks available for purchase will be very different from that available in the high street. Thus any digital download chart data will be artificially skewed. However, the Official UK Charts company is unlikely to be too worried until the number of digital sales become large enough to skew the all formats sales data."

Excellent ! A flatter playing feild !

**Visage-the-toy** · April 17th, 2003, 05:59 PM

What are the "official' UK Charts? Is this what is found at www.dotmusic.com? They claim to be the 'official charts' Or is it Top Of The Pops? (kidding about the last part!)

According to dotmusic, Erasure's 'Make Me Smile' debuted at #14!

**arronc** · April 17th, 2003, 06:24 PM

In the UK, the "Ofiicial" chart is one historically compiled from sales returns, indepentantly performed by Stats company "Gallop", on behalf of the BMI (British Music Industry"

dotmusic and top of the pop both use the "official chart" and yes erasure did manage to scrape in at 14 with a song that even the mighty DUran Duran considered worthy of a b-side.

In current unitis 14 in the UK charts is about 6000 units per week. (retail)

PS : the sales fugures are publically reported in UK publication "music week", which is worth a read if you are really into the UK music industry, or or having trouble sleeping.