Video to enter UK’s Official Singles Chart this summer for first time

The UK's Official Singles Chart enters a new era this summer, with music fans' consumption of video counting toward the weekly rundown for the first time, the Official Charts Company can confirm.

Streaming and downloading of videos from artists ranging from Dua Lipa to Drake, Arctic Monkeys to Ariana Grande will count towards the UK’s only official singles countdown, which is compiled by the Official Charts Company and unveiled by BBC Radio 1 every Friday afternoon.

The change, developed in conjunction with, and supported by, the British music industry and digital platforms, comes as established audio services such as Apple Music and Spotify add video to their offer and as YouTube launches their first subscription service in the UK, signalling a key moment in the development of the premium music video sector.

The change is designed to ensure the chart remains a showcase for hit music, however music fans choose to access it. The Official Singles Chart will continue to be the only official and most comprehensive countdown in the UK market, reflecting sales of downloads, CD and vinyl, as well as streams of audio tracks or video tracks, whether on premium subscription or ad-funded services.

The services which will contribute video streams will include Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube and Tidal. The change will be effective from the chart published on July 6.

Queen of new rules Dua Lipa crowned with biggest female video of 2017:

While invincible Ed Sheeran claimed the UK’s biggest music video of 2017 overall with Shape Of You, the iconic video for Dua Lipa’s New Rules nabs the title of most streamed video by a female artist, attracting a cool 60 million UK streams. (See full Top 10 below).

Queen of new rules Dua Lipa speaks to OfficialCharts.com about her video success and the incoming chart rule changes:

“Can you believe it? I can’t! Thank you for all your love and support, it means the absolute world to me. The response to New Rules was so crazy and I am so grateful for it, video was really important to me in my career, it’s another way as artists that we can get our music to our fans.”



Official Charts Company chief executive Martin Talbot says, “This is a significant step for the UK and ensures The Official Chart (which is unveiled exclusively on BBC Radio 1) continues to be the most comprehensive and trusted chart in the UK, bar none. Consumption of recorded music via more than 15,000 retailers, download stores and streaming services of all kinds contribute to the weekly chart countdown.

“In the modern era, artists are increasingly multi-faceted creators, with a highly developed visual sense running in parallel with their music. The addition of video ensures that the Official Singles Chart reflects the creativity of the artist in the broadest way possible – and music fans’ engagement with that vision.”

Official Charts Company non-executive chairman Derek Allen (svp commercial for Warner Music UK) adds, “It’s always been important that the Official Charts keep pace with an ever evolving and dynamic market, while also retaining their integrity, something which has set the UK charts apart from many of those operating elsewhere around the world. These latest changes are just another step down that road.”

The Official Singles Chart, which is unveiled by Scott Mills on BBC Radio 1 from 4pm to 5.45pm every Friday afternoon, is the only countdown owned, run and governed by the UK music business itself. All rule changes are reviewed and agreed in consultation with record labels, retailers and digital music services, across the major and independent sectors.