Downloads are declining though, and streaming is rising. Many people have switches to Spotify and it's dominating the official chart because that's also what it's doing in real life. Fanbases have nothing to do with it, it's just songs being incredibly popular, Justin being a prime example. What Do You Mean? only left the sales top 40 a week or two ago for the first time, so it's clear people are buying his songs too. The sales chart really isn't massively different to the UK top 40, we're missing out on some lower top 40 hits and some 2-3 weekers maybe but nothing MAJOR really, as much as I prefer the faster pace of it. The big hits on the official chart are still big hits on sales.

True the effect on the upper reaches is minimal (so far), it's the 21-75 region where it's been catastrophic for new music. Part of the enjoyment of the charts was hearing fresh new music but that's gone now as the lower end is clogged up with recent oldies.

 

The BBC realises the problem with the chart now and is bringing in a new chart to feature fresh music, which will be a lot more interesting as it will exclude the very long-runners. I'm guessing interest in the chart, even amongst the target audience, is declining. I mean I bought 2 of the Bieber singles - last year! But my sales counted towards the chart for one week only and my enjoyment playing them doesn't inflict my tastes in music on others week after week (which streaming must do - people don't play a record for one-week only, they play it for weeks or months, it's what part of the joy of being obsessed by pop music does, you get to get deep love from it for the rest of your life)

 

Streaming is big but it's still not universal by any means, and not how most people consume music, all I'm saying is the way it's been set up is flawed because it's ignoring other still-popular modes of listening by music-lovers.

 

I'll shut up now :lol:

The purpose of the chart is to accurately reflect the popularity of music in the country. If streaming wasn't included, the chart would not serve its purpose. If tracks were excluded after 52 weeks, the chart would not serve its purpose. The chart is not a showcase for upcoming new music or acts breaking through.

 

The charts today are more accurate than they have ever been.

^This

 

Although I would probably like if a song that has spent 2 years (or 100 weeks) on chart would be ineligible but those are rare anyway

Edited March 28, 201610 yr by SKOB

For the person that wanted to know where Meilyr Jones 2013 charted: it was at #176.