New singles chart rules could scupper Ed Sheeran and Drake's Top 40 dominance

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"This is about injecting energy back into the chart."



The Official Charts Company is bringing in new rules for its singles chart, in a bid to encourage diversity and new artists to the Top 100.

So, does this mean the end of the likes of Ed Sheeran and Drake's chart dominance? Well, yes, actually.

The new rules include a cap on the number of tracks by any one artist that can feature in the Top 100. So, from this Friday, July 30, only the three most popular tracks by a lead artist will be eligible for the Official Singles Chart.

Yep, the days of Ed Sheeran having sixteen songs in the singles chart Top 20 are officially over.

In addition to the cap, the streams to sales ratio will be cut in an attempt to "accelerate" the disappearance of long-reigning tracks from the Official Singles Chart.

After a song has racked up at least 10 weeks in the chart and has declined in sales for three, its streaming ratio will be cut from 150:1 to 300:1, so actual sales become more worthwhile.

Talking to Music Week, the chief executive of the Official Charts Company, Martin Talbot, insisted the rule changes were about "supporting new music".

"This is not a chart for album tracks; we want to remain the Official Singles Chart, for singles," he explained.

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Martin also added: "It's tougher than ever for new music and developing artists to break through, and this is us doing our bit... This is about injecting energy back into the chart."

The first chart under the new rules will be revealed on Friday, July 7. The move has been approved by both major and independent record labels, retailers, digital music services and BBC Radio 1 alike, so expect to hear a very different kind of rundown in the future.

But we're not so sure Ed and Drake will be all that pleased. Sorry, lads.