The long-running "Now That's What I Call Music!" franchise is on course for its 16th No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, as "Now 43" should debut atop the list next week.
Industry sources suggest that the set will sell perhaps 110,000 to 120,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on Aug. 12. It was the only major album that was released this week, so it has a clear lane to No. 1.
The new Billboard 200 chart's top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Aug. 15.
The last "Now" album to hit No. 1 was "Now 37" on the chart dated Feb. 26, 2011. The first in the series to reach the top was 2000's "Now 4."
"Now 43" includes two No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 singles: Katy Perry's "Part of Me" and the list's current champ, Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe."
Rick Ross' current Billboard 200 leader, "God Forgives, I Don't," may settle for the No. 2 slot next week, but it's too early to tell how much it will sell.
Rick Ross Reigns With Fourth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart
Other albums looking to make high entries on the Billboard 200 include Elle Varner's debut studio album, "Perfectly Imperfect," Colt Ford's "Declaration of Independence" and John Mayer's iTunes-exclusive "The Complete 2012 Performances Collection" EP.
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