This year has been awful for music. I mean, just look at this week's top 10. There's Starboy and The Greatest that I like, the rest range from decent to passable to bad.

 

I really hope things improve next year.

I agree, the only songs I like that are in the top ten are This Town and Dancing On My Own! (pls don't attack me lmao)

Edited October 9, 20168 yr by cqmerqn

I agree, the only songs I like that are in the top ten are This Town and Dancing On My Own! (pls don't attack me lmao)

Whereas a year/two years ago, 5 songs I liked in the top 10 would be minimum, with the average being around 7-8, although the event of me liking the entire top 10 happened occasionally.

I'm not sure how exact the streaming conversion ratio, and how they run on the other countries, but I think the method for both Australia ARIA and New Zealand RMNZ charts to handle the streaming conversion ratio was quite worth to bring up here.

 

Australia ARIA charts:

Streams will be factored into the chart at a rate periodically determined by ARIA in consultation with the ARIA Finance and Chart & Marketing Committees based on the relative average income of streams to digital track sales.

In Australia the figure is assessed and changed on a quarterly basis — while ARIA do not reveal the exact sum sources say it is somewhere between 175 and 250 plays.

 

New Zealand RMNZ charts:

This audio conversion rate is calculated using both premium and ad-supported stream data which produces a combined sale to stream ratio. Depending on the number of ad-supported to premium streams the combined ratio will vary. This is set at the discretion of the Chart Committee, taking account of international standards regarding the relative value and volume of streams versus downloads to the recording owner. These ratios will be reviewed on a quarterly basis to ensure it continues to accurately reflect those standards.

P/S: I don't know the exact streaming conversion ratio, but from what I saw on other site (which I can't remember which site I saw at this moment) it was fluctuate around 175:1.

 

 

While this method didn't quite execute well (As evidence on Drake One Dance topped the Aus chart and NZ chart for 7 non-consecutive weeks and 13 consecutive weeks respectively AND The Chainsmokers Closer currently on to replicates the One Dance #1 run on both countries), but at least both are try manage the streaming conversion ratio to be relevant on the current standards by reviewing the ratio on a quarterly basis.

 

Source:

ARIA charts:

1) www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/streaming-data-being-used-in-the-aria-singles-chart-making-it-harder-for-artists-to-score-a-no-1-hit/news-story/e5876d749b5b7a803a67fd235dd15fed?nk=18ab1113de5e1106428189a44dd18363-1476122583

2) www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/ARIAChartCodeOfPractice-2016April.pdf (Schedule 2 - Pg. 22)

 

RMNZ charts:

1) nztop40.co.nz/assets/the-official-new-zealand-music-charts-rules.pdf (Section 5.3 - Pg. 10)

I wonder if there should be a different conversion rate for paid-subscription streams, and 'free' ones?

Definitely not, they are ultimately the same...

Definitely not, they are ultimately the same...

 

Do we actually know if artists get the same rate for paid-for, and 'free' streams?

Do we actually know if artists get the same rate for paid-for, and 'free' streams?

 

I'm not sure but I'd assume it's the same? Free users have adverts instead to make up for it after all. I don't see why we should differentiate between the two, a stream is a stream.

Its a difficult topic I find with regards to streaming, as I personally think they should put a cap on individuals streaming songs rather than the general population as realistically nobody goes out an buys the same song 3-4 times (unless its a boyband ect) and thats how the streaming sales look to me.

 

But on the other hand if download sales were non-existent then the streaming sales would be very accurate. So I can see why its been set the way it has, the problem is download sales are still fairly reasonable so we are having very inflated sales and weekly sales, plus songs are having inflated streaming amounts due to playlists ect.

 

I'd agree this year and even the past couple are up there with some of the worst years for music, although this year seems to be waking up at last but its still awful. But not just talking about pop music i think all genres other than dance or edm have been killed off since 2014 and everything sounds the same imo. I think this is also the problem with the chart, there just isn't enough good music or variety around and the music industry just seems to be grinding to a halt.

 

Im sure the charts will go back to being more fluid but it may take a couple of years for record labels/management and the general public to adjust to the new change (plus some better music :P )

One factor in the current high levels of sales might be that streaming has eaten into the illegal download market - but I don't see how that could be proven, one way or the other. :unsure:

I think they've done studies and shown that illegal downloading is on the decline, which I very much think is mostly down to streaming giving an easier alternative.

I think they've done studies and shown that illegal downloading is on the decline, which I very much think is mostly down to streaming giving an easier alternative.

 

It would certainly offer an explanation for increased sales without an increase in quality of music.

Indeed. Remember when sales were shit generally around 2003-7? That was when illegal downloading was at its peak before iTunes really made a name for themselves. Music hasn't just suddenly got twice as popular.

Indeed. Remember when sales were shit generally around 2003-7? That was when illegal downloading was at its peak before iTunes really made a name for themselves. Music hasn't just suddenly got twice as popular.

 

Imagine how high sales would be if there were *good* music around... :w00t:

The streaming needs to be altered to 300-1. And 2016 has been TERRIBLE bar Bruno, Emeli, Olly. Too much of this dance shit and all the songs sound the same.

Streaming ratio for singles and albums needs to be swapped. 1000-1 for singles and 100-1 for albums

Streaming ratio for singles and albums needs to be swapped. 1000-1 for singles and 100-1 for albums

 

Why would this be a good idea? Streaming in the album chart is ridiculous as it is, we don't need it contributing more. 1000:1 is waaaay too small a rate for streams to be added to the singles chart when so many people use this platform nowadays too.

Why would this be a good idea? Streaming in the album chart is ridiculous as it is, we don't need it contributing more. 1000:1 is waaaay too small a rate for streams to be added to the singles chart when so many people use this platform nowadays too.

It would mean the singles chart would have faster movement and that the albums chart would have bigger chart sales

Chart positions of songs wouldn't change very much if the ratio changed.

 

Why change anything? To make sales seem more "fair"? All songs would be affected by the ratio change almost equally anyway.

 

Your (and my) poor "flop" songs that you (and I) wish reached the Top 40 will still peak outside the Top 40.

Edited October 13, 20168 yr by Alolan Exeggutor

Chart positions of songs wouldn't change very much if the ratio changed.

 

Why change anything? To make sales seem more "fair"? All songs would be affected by the ratio change almost equally anyway.

 

Your (and my) poor "flop" songs that you (and I) wish reached the Top 40 will still peak outside the Top 40.

 

*sees avatar*

 

*sees previous user name*

 

*Directs to this thread*

:lol: Seriously though, I thought we're answering if the streaming ratio is too generous. TBH, even if it's too generous, does it matter that much right now? I know it's just a discussion so who am I to judge what could be discussed (I'm just gonna leave it to the experts here).

 

And I know the music this year is also part of the thread but I couldn't care less about quality, it's all subjective. LOL

Edited October 13, 20168 yr by Alolan Exeggutor