YouTube to Stop Providing Data to Billboard: A Shift in Music Chart MethodologyYouTube, the global music streaming giant, has decided to withdraw its data from Billboards US music charts, effective January 16, 2026. This move comes after Billboard announced changes to its chart methodology, aiming to reduce the disparity between paid and ad-supported streams. The new formula, set to take effect in January 2026, will count one thousand paid streams or two thousand five hundred ad-supported streams as one album unit, a one to two point five ratio.YouTubes Global Head of Music, Lyor Cohen, criticized these changes, arguing that all streams should be valued equally, regardless of whether they come from paid subscriptions or free, ad-supported services. Cohen emphasized that the current system does not accurately reflect how fans engage with music today, as it overlooks the significant engagement from non-subscribers.Billboard, however, remains committed to its new calculations, aiming to measure fan activity appropriately by considering factors like consumer access, revenue analysis, and industry guidance. The company hopes YouTube will reconsider and join them in recognizing the reach of artists across all platforms.

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