Online streaming services such as Spotify and Napster are to get their own Official Chart, with this week’s launch being described as a ‘real coming of age moment’ for the sites.
While some big hitters in the music industry continue to question the use of streaming services as a tool to consume music in the new digital age, the launch of a dedicated chart in the UK further legitimises the use of the medium as a viable money making tool for artists and labels.
“Services such as Spotify, Deezer, Napster and We7 have been building their audiences over the past few years and are now delivering millions of audio streams every week to hundreds of thousands of music fans,” Martin Talbot, managing director of the Official Charts Company has said. “For the first time, from next week, we will have transparency on exactly what they are listening to on these new services.”
In announcing the brand new rundown, the Official Charts Company revealed Ed Sheeran is the most streamed artist of the year so far, in a top 10 which also includes Lana Del Rey, Coldplay and Florence & The Machine.