AcerBen

I think it could work as a monthly programme.. but it'd take a lot more than one show to change things

Actually yes on reflection you're probably right. If it does do a big number of downloads it's not really going to even matter how many streams it get because of course the download numbers aren't affected by ACR.

I completely agree with your point that it's ridiculous that new records that could be doing hundreds of thousands of streams a week just don't register anywhere on the chart - compared to the "old days" when you only needed 2,000 or so people to buy your record to make the top 100. There's so many records that come and go and "feel" like they've been some sort of hit - like they were A-listed on Radio 2, did some TV PAs and bounced around the iTunes chart for several weeks, but because they didn't take off on streams they don't even register a chart position and it just feels wrong. In a way it's good that the chart reflects genuine widespread popularity now more than it did, but I think people forget the chart actually isn't there for us - it's for the industry to use as a promotional tool. I don't think changing to a top 1000 is the answer, because you can't really use a chart position of #458 as something to trumpet about. They either need to have another look at the formula of the top 100, and kick out more of the old songs quicker, or revise/extend the Tuesday trending chart, and try to make it more of a "thing", perhaps by asking Radio 1 and MTV to do a weekly show on it. It's a good idea but it's not getting enough exposure.

Not a duet, but I immediately thought of when Pete Waterman asked Cliff Richard to appear on Band Aid II because he'd beaten Kylie & Jason to Christmas #1 the previous year. Who of course also sang on Band Aid II.

I'm pretty sure the label can ask for the sales to be split, which as you say, would be in the best interest if they want a #1. I see no reason why they wouldn't allow it when it's been done before.

Though if he did manage 4, they'd hold the record outright? But I believe them when they say it'll be the last one

Yeah and I think I'm right in saying that OCC will usually do what the record label asks them to when it comes to additional versions? Usually it's beneficial to combine all versions, but they have good reason to split them here. The feat. John Legend version for Comic Relief of Sam Smith's Lay Me Down springs to mind.

LOL can you imagine the conversation? "Thanks for the offer Justin, but your song is shit".

I'm sure it's a bit of both, and who can blame him? he certainly sounds passionate when he talks about the charity.

To be honest I'd rather Ladbaby were number 1 every Christmas with a different song than Mariah with the same bloody one every year

Probably a "long tail" of songs selling 1 or 2 copies

Christina Perri at number 2 today after being danced to on SCD last night!

I'm still expecting them to announce something in next few days.

Does seem a waste of the publicity though. And people would be on board with their mission to get 3 in a row.

It's mostly 7" singles now.. and at the top end some weeks it's probably getting close to download numbers! Single digit sales at the lower end though I imagine.

He only announced last year's one the Sunday before the Friday release, so there's still time.

They did a live link-up with Neil Fox just before 7pm on a Sunday night

The charts are there as a promotional tool for new music, paid for by the music industry. Not to tell us that people are listening to Christmas songs at Christmas.

Dua Lipa, Mabel, Lewis Capaldi, Billie Eilish, Tom Walker, Dermot Kennedy.. all longlisted in recent years and none made the top 5. And all more successful than any recent winners.

Let it have its moment to shut everyone up AND THEN CHANGE THE RULES..

I'm confused.. One Voice Children's Choir is American and Memories has been out ages already. Why is it #1?

It was more muted than in 2007, but it was probably helped by the BBC pre-empting any potential furore.

Because as soon as the Daily Mail noticed they would have been forced to issue a statement anyway

They don't usually even do a countdown.. just play the number 1 video at the end of the show

Unless they've already asked someone else.. would be a bit rude to unask them. :unsure: Perhaps 3 of them could do it..