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Billboard<\/em><\/a> and YouTube<\/a> are closing out 2025 with a feud, of sorts, centered on the charts value of ad-supported streams.<\/p>\n As always, we\u2019re here to break down the key takeaways from this latest industry development, which currently finds YouTube\u2019s Global Head of Music, Lyor Cohen<\/a>, expressing hope that a return to Billboard<\/em>\u2019s charts will be possible with additional negotiation in the future.<\/p>\n For those unfamiliar, YouTube data didn\u2019t show up on a Billboard<\/em> chart until 2013. At the time, Billboard<\/em> announced<\/a> that such data would factor into Hot 100 rankings, as well as genre-specific charts. <\/p>\n By 2019, it was announced<\/a> that the Billboard<\/em> 200 albums chart would also take YouTube data into account.<\/p>\n On Tuesday (Dec. 16), Billboard<\/em> explained<\/a> its latest changes to how rankings would be tabulated. In their words, the larger aim is to \u201cadd more weight to on-demand streaming,\u201d which they argue will \u201cbetter reflect an increase in streaming revenue and changing consumer behaviors.\u201d<\/p>\n But what, exactly, does that mean? In short, paid (i.e., subscription) on-demand streams will still carry more weight<\/a> when compared to ad-supported on-demand streams. The ratio, however, is narrowing. Starting in January, the ratio between the two tiers will be adjusted to 1:2.5, a narrowing from the previous ratio of 1:3. Sales and download stats are not affected.<\/p>\nYouTube data made its Billboard<\/em> debut in 2013<\/h2>\n
Billboard<\/em> says it\u2019s adding \u201cmore weight\u201d to on-demand streaming in 2026<\/h2>\n
YouTube says its data will \u201cno longer be delivered\u201d to Billboard<\/em><\/h2>\n