YouTube to stop providing streaming data to Billboard charts

(ABC36 NEWS NOW) – YouTube will no longer provide streaming data to Billboard’s music charts beginning next month.

The announcement was made Wednesday by YouTube’s global head of music, who said the company disagrees with how Billboard weighs different types of music streams when compiling its charts.

According to YouTube, Billboard’s current formula does not place enough value on ad-supported streams. Streams from free users who listen to music while viewing advertisements have historically been considered less valuable than streams from paid subscribers.

YouTube argues that ad-supported listening represents a significant portion of music consumption and should carry more influence in chart rankings.

As a result, YouTube said it will halt the delivery of its data to Billboard starting January 16.

Billboard has not yet announced whether it plans to adjust its methodology or how the change may impact its widely followed music charts.