In a move that could potentially change the music industry significantly, Billboard will incorporate YouTube streams into its calculations for the Billboard 200 albums chart, the company announced today.
The change will go into effect on January 3, 2020. According to The New York Times, Billboard will also factor in music video plays from Apple Music, TIDAL, and VEVO, but not “user-generated content,” such as memes or cover videos.
Given the 15-25 demographic consumes it’s music and video content on YouTube in huge volumes, analysts are waiting to see the impact on the music industry.
YouTube, which is owned by Google, has long been the target of ire from many musicians who believe the site does not adequately compensate artists. Back in 2016, hundreds of musicians in the United States and Europe signed letters signaling their dissatisfaction with YouTube
COMMENTS