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On Thursday (December 18), YouTube announced that it would be making a major shakeup to how users consume music.
The company announced that the YouTube streaming data would no longer have an impact on the streaming numbers on the Billboard Charts. Effective January 2026. In an effort to achieve “equitable representation across the charts.”
Billboard Responds to YouTube Removing Itself From Chart Data
Following YouTube’s announcement, a spokesperson for Billboard released a statement. Reassuring consumers that the streaming numbers are measured as actively and “appropriately as possible.
“There are so many ways a fan can support an artist they love. And each has a specific place in the music ecosystem,” the statement reads. “Billboard strives to measure that activity appropriately. Balanced by various factors including consumer access, revenue analysis, data validation, and industry guidance.”
They also said that they hope that YouTube will reconsider its decision to pull their streaming numbers.
“We hope that YouTube reconsiders. And joins Billboard in recognizing the reach and popularity of artists on all music platforms. In celebrating their achievements through the power of fans. And how they interact with the music that they love,” the statement concludes.
YouTube said that it had been involved in negotiations with Billboard to change how the streaming numbers are calculated. And noted that Billboard uses an “outdated formula” that “doesn’t reflect how fans engage with music today.” They also said that it is an unfair method that doesn’t consider fans who engage but don’t have a subscription.
“Streaming is the primary way people experience music, making up 84% of U.S. recorded music revenue,” the statement concluded. “We’re simply asking that every stream is counted fairly and equally, whether it is subscription-based or ad-supported—because every fan matters and every play should count.”
It will be interesting to see if the two entities can come to a consensus on the matter.
