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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Music and Concerts devider YouTube pulls out data from Billboard charts due to streaming count dispute

YouTube pulls out data from Billboard charts due to streaming count dispute

Published Dec 18, 2025 11:35 am
The YouTube logo (Photo from YouTube)
The YouTube logo (Photo from YouTube)

YouTube announced that it will put out its data from Billboard charts over a dispute about streaming count. 

“After a decade-long partnership and extensive discussions, they are unwilling to make meaningful changes. Therefore, after January 16, 2026, our data will no longer be delivered to Billboard or factored into their charts,” according to YouTube’s official blog. 

The decision came after Billboard announced that for charts starting January, “paid/subscription on-demand streams will continue to be weighted more favorably compared to ad-supported on-demand streams, with the ratio between the two tiers narrowing from 1:3 to 1:2.5 based on analysis of streaming revenue.”

“Currently, each album consumption unit equals one album sale, 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album,” Billboard reported. 

It added, “Effective for the Billboard 200 and corresponding genre album consumption charts dated Jan. 17 (encompassing data from Jan. 2-8), each album consumption unit will now equal 2,500 ad-supported or 1,000 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album (sales and download metrics will remain the same).”

“The change means that it will take 33.3% fewer ad-supported on-demand streams of songs from an album, and 20% fewer paid/subscription on-demand streams of songs from an album, to equal an album unit. The ratio between paid/subscription and ad-supported on-demand streaming tiers will additionally be adjusted to 1:2.5 for the Billboard Hot 100, along with corresponding streaming and song consumption charts,” it stated. 

YouTube said, “Billboard uses an outdated formula that weights subscription-supported streams higher than ad-supported.” 

“This doesn't reflect how fans engage with music today and ignores the massive engagement from fans who don’t have a subscription. Streaming is the primary way people experience music, making up 84% of U.S. recorded music revenue. 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,” the blog post stated. 

It added, “We are committed to achieving equitable representation across the charts and hopefully can work with Billboard to return to theirs.” 

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