As someone who covers the U.K. music charts every Sunday, I’m intrigued to hear that the midweek placings are to be revealed to the public for the first time from later this year. They’ve always been available to the music industry, but now the public will get to hear them too.
There’s no doubt the music charts mean less now than they used to. The way we consume and listen to music has changed, with file-sharing and streaming services muddying the waters considerably. But the charts are still the best indication of what’s popular.
There has been a midweek chart for years now, but it’s not revealed outside of the music industry. According to NME, this is all set to change soon, with Radio 1 broadcasting a midweek rundown every Wednesday between 3.30pm and 4pm from March 10.
Martin Talbot of the Official Charts Company said:
“The launch of this official chart update will mean that, for the first time, music fans will get a reliable insight into how the race for Number One is shaping up.”
I think this is a good move as it may well boost interest in the weekly charts. The battle for Christmas number one between Joe McElderry and Rage Against The Machine last year shows there is still interest there amongst the record-buying public.
[Photo Source: Amazon.co.uk]
I won’t get to hear any of it. Too far across ocean. Life ain’t fair sometimes. Gonna make a raft and set sail for Britain. I made one years ago, but it wouldn’t hold up in the bathtub. So now I’m going to make another one; This one’ll have a house atop it with a cookstove, some fishing gear, dried plums for those constipated days; a compass and a Radio, keep it tuned to Radio 1. Radio 1. Radio 1. Radio 1.
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