Published for the first time on 22nd July 1956, the UK Albums Chart turns 70 this year in just a few weeks.

On 19th July, Radio 2 is airing a special episode of Pick of the Pops celebrating the 20 biggest sellers of all time. The OCC will probably publish this list ahead of the broadcast that week.

Whilst it's debatable that the charts now are, for lack of a better phrase, fast-paced, the sales are still really strong. Like it or not, there's also a lot of greatest hits hanging around highlighting some significant popularity/longevity of some much loved artists and groups.

Are there any particular chart battles you are fond of from years gone by or any you're looking forward to in 2026? Or any other memories you want to share!

20 biggest sellers of all time!

Will this be just pure sales or will it include sales equivalent streams?

Will sales go back to 1994 or will it include earlier record company shipment figures?

Will the OCC ask Alan Jones to compile the list?

Will it be studio albums only or will it include greatest hits albums?

Will all album versions be totalled - remastered, remixed, reissued, live albums?

Will sales be rounded to nearest 1,000 or 10,000 or exact figures similar to the singles sales table in 2017?

Will there be separate lists for pure sales, streams, combined figures?

Hopefully the OCC will publish a complete top 100 listing.

I would imagine it'll based on how the current main albums chart is compiled so it will include streams, greatest hits etc. It would be nice to see some extra gems and detailed analysis from the OCC or Music Week.

My guess.

1. Queen - Greatest hits

2. ABBA - Gold

3. Adele - 21

4. Oasis - (What’s the story) Morning Glory

5. Beatles - Sgt. Pepper

See Liam.k. Million Selling Albums from April 2019.

https://www.buzzjack.com/forums/topic/221805-million-selling-albums/

I thought you were pre announcing my Album Book Series for me then! Glad the album chart is getting some love from the OCC for its birthday :)

4 hours ago, kingofskiffle said:

I thought you were pre announcing my Album Book Series for me then! Glad the album chart is getting some love from the OCC for its birthday :)

Looking forward to this, despite the streaming rules keeping certain albums in the chart for ever.

BBC Radio 2 Sunday 19th July at 5pm

The Album Chart at 70!

Pick of the Pops

As the Official Albums Chart celebrates its 70th anniversary, Mark Goodier presents a brand-new countdown, compiled exclusively for BBC Radio 2, shining a spotlight on the UK’s twenty biggest sellers of all-time.

It’s a fascinating list, updated for 2026, that spans the decades, with iconic multi-platinum studio albums rubbing shoulders alongside the nation’s best-loved ‘Greatest Hits’ collections.

You’ll hear the cream of rock and pop royalty, including The Beatles, ABBA, Oasis, Adele, Bob Marley, Queen, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac and Amy Winehouse.

With stats and facts galore, expect a few surprises in this special two-hour chart show.

How many do you have in your vinyl or CD collection… and which act will take the No 1 crown?

Quite pleased it's Mark Goodier who'll be presenting this. An older-school, articulate, more authoritative delivery is required for such a milestone countdown (whatever the vagaries might be around its compilation methodology, data quality and so on which I daresay will lead to all kinds of debates afterwards!).

From the OCC

Official Charts and BBC Radio team up to mark 70 Years of the Official Albums Chart across July

We've got some *big* celebrations in store for the 70th 💿🎂

By Carl Smith | 01 July 2026

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Get the birthday candles ready: the Official Albums Chart turns 70 this summer, and the milestone is being marked with major celebrations across online, socials and BBC Radio throughout July, Official Charts can confirm. 

It all began on July 22 1956, when Frank Sinatra’s Songs For Swingin’ Lovers was crowned the UK’s first-ever Number 1 album, topping the inaugural Official Albums Chart as published in Record Mirror. 

Now, over 1,400 Number 1 albums later, the Official Charts Company and BBC Radio are joining forces to celebrate the album in all its glory.

While listening habits may have transformed beyond recognition since 1956, seven decades on, the album remains music’s most beloved, enduring format – and that’s more than deserving of a party. 

Throughout July Official Charts will be teaming up with BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 1 Anthems to exclusively unveil the official most-streamed albums of each decade for the first time ever, compiled for the BBC by the Official Charts Company.

Beginning 13 July 2026, BBC Radio 2 will reveal the Top 20 most-streamed albums of each decade from the 1960s – 1990s, highlighting which records from Official Albums Chart history that have found new or enduring relevance in today’s streaming era.  

From Wednesday 15 July, Jack Saunders, the host of The Official Chart on Radio 1, will reveal the most-streamed albums of the 2000s, ‘10s and ‘20s on BBC Radio 1 Anthems with three special ‘Most Streamed Albums Chart’ programmes.  

To hear all the shows, just search ‘Albums Chart’ on BBC Sounds from Monday 13 July.

Meanwhile, over at OfficialCharts.com - the online home of the Official Charts – we’ll be rolling out a ‘70 Years of the Official Albums Chart’ season of special features and interviews on the beloved format. We’re asking artists, music fans and media alike to claim their all-time favourite long player – get involved using the hashtag #MyFavouiteAlbum, plus the official biggest albums of all time will be unveiled and more.

Becca Monahan and Chris Austin, Interim Co-Managing Directors, Official Charts Company, comment:

“We’re thrilled to celebrate 70 years of the Official Albums Chart, a milestone that reflects the enduring power of the album as music’s most complete artistic statement. From the classic records that defined generations to the groundbreaking releases shaping today’s soundscape, the chart has chronicled the evolution of popular music and the artists who have inspired millions of fans over seven remarkable decades. 

“Reaching a 70th anniversary gives us a wonderful opportunity to recognise the album’s unique place in music culture. While the way fans discover and listen to music continues to evolve, the album remains the ultimate showcase of an artist’s creativity, ambition and vision, and the Official Albums Chart continues to celebrate the records that capture the nation’s imagination.” 

The anniversary celebrations come ahead of National Album Day on Saturday October 17, with this year’s theme honouring music’s biggest icons.

Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, says:

"Radio 1 Anthems is home to the biggest songs and artists of the 2000s and beyond, so we're thrilled to celebrate 70 years of the Official Albums Chart with three special shows exploring the iconic albums that have shaped music history and the artists behind them." 

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, adds:

“Radio 2 listeners have been buying albums in their millions for decades, so we are delighted to celebrate 70 years of the Official Albums Chart by revealing the Top 20 most-streamed albums of each decade from the 1960s – 1990s.  It will be fascinating to see which albums have proved the most popular with streaming audiences.”

Jack Saunders, Radio 1, says: 

“Three shows, each dedicated to the biggest albums of the last three decades. This is what I grew up on, they're my musical DNA. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

More news on all of this coming very soon.

OK that all looks SO interesting! Such a shame it's on radio and not a TV program, I cannot follow radio due to my deafness, wheres I can use captions on the TV! I trust that chart nerds (I count myself as one) in this forum will be posting the information for us to follow! 😊

Oh the Radio 1 Anthems shows sound great

On 28/06/2026 at 16:24, ben08 said:

My guess.

1. Queen - Greatest hits

2. ABBA - Gold

3. Adele - 21

4. Oasis - (What’s the story) Morning Glory

5. Beatles - Sgt. Pepper

See Liam.k. Million Selling Albums from April 2019.

https://www.buzzjack.com/forums/topic/221805-million-selling-albums/

Pretty sure Oasis have now overtaken Adele

On 28/06/2026 at 17:24, ben08 said:

My guess.

1. Queen - Greatest hits

2. ABBA - Gold

3. Adele - 21

4. Oasis - (What’s the story) Morning Glory

5. Beatles - Sgt. Pepper

See Liam.k. Million Selling Albums from April 2019.

https://www.buzzjack.com/forums/topic/221805-million-selling-albums/

Very similar to mine. I would only hope that Mr. Allan can publish the most up-to-date sales (but I'm pretty sure he would) for the all-time best sellers. I cannot wait 😁😁

13 hours ago, reissus123 said:

Pretty sure Oasis have now overtaken Adele

True. 21 is selling very slowly, though it is still the all-time highest seller for a female singer. It might jolt back to life the next time she announces a new album

Adele 21 went 19 times platinum on 6/2/26.

Oasis WHAT'S THE STORY MORNING GLORY went 19 times platinum on 15/5/26.

Oasis have sold around 20,000 since 15th May, and Adele a few thousand since 6th February. So Oasis likely to have overtaken Adele.

Radio 1 Anthems schedule

15th July, 5pm - Radio 1 20s Most Streamed Albums Chart 2020-2026

16th July, 5pm - Radio 1 10s Most Streamed Albums Chart 2010-2019

17th July, 6pm - Radio 1 00s Most Streamed Albums Chart 2000-2009

24 minutes ago, lewistgreen said:

Radio 1 Anthems schedule

15th July, 5pm - Radio 1 20s Most Streamed Albums Chart 2020-2026

16th July, 5pm - Radio 1 10s Most Streamed Albums Chart 2010-2019

17th July, 6pm - Radio 1 00s Most Streamed Albums Chart 2000-2009

The only list I’m interested in is the biggest albums of all time. Post millennium lists, especially those solely based on streaming, and divided into decades mean absolutely nothing to me.

Edited Thursday at 18:234 days by reissus123

BBC Sounds have the top 40 most streamed albums of the 2020s, 2010s and 2000s uploaded. Unless anyone else gets round to it before me I'll post the lists!

2020s

1. Sour - Olivia Rodrigo (2021)

2. = - Ed Sheeran (2021)

3. Folklore - Taylor Swift (2020)

4. Short N Sweet - Sabrina Carpenter (2024)

5. Midnights - Taylor Swift (2022)

6. Stick Season - Noah Kahan (2022)

7. Future Nostalgia - Dua Lipa (2020)

8. Harry’s House - Harry Styles (2022)

9. SOS - SZA (2022)

10. Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon - Pop Smoke (2020)

11. The Tortured Poets Department - Taylor Swift (2024)

12. Guts - Olivia Rodrigo (2023)

13. KPop Demon Hunters - OST (2025)

14. Hit Me Hard And Soft - Billie Eilish (2024)

15. Certified Lover Boy - Drake (2021)

16. Brat - Charli XCX (2024)

17. The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess - Chappell Roan (2023)

18. The Art Of Loving - Olivia Dean (2025)

19. Legends Never Die - Juice Wrld (2020)

20. Evermore - Taylor Swift (2020)

21. Planet Her - Doja Cat (2021)

22. We’re All Alone In This Together - Dave (2021)

23. Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish (2021)

24. After Hours - The Weeknd (2020)

25. 1989 (Taylor’s Version) - Taylor Swift (2023)

26. You’ll Be Alright, Kid - Alex Warren (2025)

27. Red (Taylor’s Version) - Taylor Swift (2021)

28. Encanto - OST (2021)

29. Only Honest On The Weekend - Becky Hill (2021)

30. Man’s Best Friend - Sabrina Carpenter (2025)

31. The Blue Print: Us VS Them - D-Block Europe (2020)

32. Seventeen Going Under - Sam Fender (2021)

33. The Life Of A Showgirl - Taylor Swift (2025)

34. F**k Love - The Kid Laroi (2020)

35. Justice - Justin Bieber (2021)

36. 30 - Adele (2021)

37. Eternal Sunshine - Ariana Grande (2024)

38. So Close To What - Tate McRae (2025)

39. Heroes And Villains - Metro Boomin (2022)

40. Renaissance - Beyonce (2022)

2010s

1. Divide - Ed Sheeran (2017)

2. The Greatest Showman - OST (2017)

3. Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent - Lewis Capaldi (2019)

4. AM - Arctic Monkeys (2013)

5. X - Ed Sheeran (2014)

6. Dua Lipa - Dua Lipa (2017)

7. In The Lonely Hour - Sam Smith (2014)

8. When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go? - Billie Eilish (2019)

9. Fine Line - Harry Styles (2019)

10. No. 6 Collaborations Project - Ed Sheeran (2019)

11. Lover - Taylor Swift (2019)

12. Teenage Dream - Katy Perry (2010)

13. 1989 - Taylor Swift (2014)

14. Scorpion - Drake (2018)

15. 25 - Adele (2015)

16. Purpose - Justin Bieber (2015)

17. I Cry When I Laugh - Jess Glynne (2015)

18. Reputation - Taylor Swift (2017)

19. Views - Drake (2016)

20. More Life - Drake (2017)

21. Starboy - The Weeknd (2016)

22. Doo-Wops And Hooligans - Bruno Mars (2011)

23. Hamilton - Original Broadway Cast (2015)

24. Don’t Smile At Me - Billie Eilish (2017)

25. Beerbongs And Bentleys - Post Malone (2018)

26. 21 - Adele (2011)

27. Hollywood’s Bleeding - Post Malone (2019)

28. Born To Die - Lana Del Rey (2012)

29. ? - XXXTentacion (2018)

30. + - Ed Sheeran (2011)

31. Take Care - Drake (2011)

32. Christmas - Michael Buble (2011)

33. Staying At Tamara’s - George Ezra (2018)

34. Moana - OST (2016)

35. Beauty Behind The Madness - The Weeknd (2015)

36. Anti - Rihanna (2016)

37. Stoney - Post Malone (2016)

38. Hozier - Hozier (2014)

39. Goodbye And Good Riddance - Juice Wrld (2018)

40. Psychodrama - Dave (2019)