As you know, in the new Billboard Hot 100 formula, radio audience will average about 55% of the chart's total points, digital sales will account for about 40%, and streaming media will determine 5%. In a further sign of the times, physical singles - "in line with the music industry's retreat from that product over the past decade" - will account for less than 1% of the chart's new formula.

Billboard is now considering AOL & Yahoo Music for collecting their streamed-music data. And they will include Rhapsody soon.

So if you want to support you favorite song without buying it, just listen to its online stream!

AOL Music
http://www.music.aol.com/

Yahoo! Music
http://music.yahoo.com/

That is so stupid.

They should somehow formulate a way to put "last.fm" stats in that also. That would be neat.

well, they are still looking for more streaming sources to collect their data from. But as of now, AOL & Yahoo are the considered ones.

NO! If they use Last.FM, (1) rock would resurface, because if you look at the Last.FM music singles chart, majority are not popular artists on the chart right now.

Although again it would be cool.

The whole thing is taking a percentage of only 5% of the chart and from various sources. With that little amount, it would still be imposssible for any rock indie/ "unpopular" artist to make it since the 95% goes to the mainstream radio singles.

Yeah you're right. I didn't think about that, just commented off the bat.

I hate that idea actually.

is it only Audio stream. or can it be Videos too...?

I think it's restricted to the Audio streamings. Because buying a video from iTunes doesn't affect on the actual single sales.

So you have to listen to net radio? I cant find the streaming part.


*technologically challenged*

this should be interesting, but the AOL and Yahoo streamings are basically the same as the Billboard chart, so there shouldn't be much of an impact

Did I ask you for your opinion?

Let's see...um no.

Thanks for intersting info !

A bump for importance. You can support GM's position in Billboard by streaming the song.


Whenever you want to listen to Gimme More on your PC , press the link below instead of playing it from your library. That's about 5% of its position in Billboard.

http://us.video.aol.com/player/launc...ol.com/search/

^oh lord. now the crazy stans will play it over and over.

omg u guys are killing me

*listens to "Gimme More" on AOL*


They better do it, hehehe.

looks interesting !!!

listening to it now on aol