Billboard has been trying to rectify the accuracy of both their Hot 100 and Billboard 200 charts for quite some time with changes to improve the system flowing in every year. This topic is being discussed all over the internet as the changes determine the success of artists on the Billboard 100 charts and thus, their recognition by the audience and the media.
Here is a simplified way of understanding what changes have been made, what these changes entail, and how it affects artists – especially BTS.
Billboard changes after 2020
Back in August 2020, Billboard announced several changes to make the charts more authentic.
They wrote:
“The announcement comes in an effort to rectify how sales are counted with respect to album bundles with merchandise and concert tickets, as well as instant digital sales attached to purchases for physical albums delivered at a later date.”
This ensured that sales of ‘forcefully’ bought albums – without the choice of opting out when purchasing concert tickets – would not count. Billboard also would no longer count digital single downloads offered in place of physical products that would be mailed at a later date.
This made a significant impact on the Hot 100 charts directly.
This change had taken place just before BTS’ release of their first English single “Dynamite.” Owing to BTS’ way of selling albums without additional bundles, the change affected them rather positively. Because they did not sell in bundles, they weren't required to change anything in their marketing. This also meant that no one was in a position to question their practices when the changes were announced by Billboard.
Billboard changes in 2022
Billboard continues to change their rules, with the intent of achieving their aim to have more authenticity in the charts – thus presenting what the audience is actually listening to.
The changes in the chart system for this year (2022) were announced in December 2021. Billboard and MRC Data had announced that the new changes would be effective in a few weeks.
What The Changes Entail:
The most attention-grabbing change in the new set of rules was the adjustment in the multiple or bulk digital purchase of songs, and how that would affect their charting eligibility. While before this change, up to four purchases of an album or a single by a singer consumer was counted. After the change, however, effective from December 31st, 2021, only one purchase per consumer will be counted.
How This Affects BTS:
BTS has shown immense growth in their numbers in the past few years. While BTS’ “Dynamite” had garnered 98.3 million views in the first 24 hours, according to variety, just a year later “Butter” garnered 108.2 million views, as reported by Forbes. The significant increase in numbers hints at an increase in the number of unique listeners as well. This can further be seen with the accomplishments of “Butter” which had surpassed 300,000 unique listeners on Melon on May 21, 2021.
With the constant increase in BTS’ unique listeners, their chances at grabbing a spot in the Hot 100 chart once again continue to remain high.
Other minor tweaks to the rules:
The pricing of the albums and singles remain the same, a change that has been applied that does not allow lower pricing of the albums and singles even within the first 4 weeks. The digital singles are now to be priced at $0.39 or above and the albums and eps are priced not below $3.49.
The change in album purchase with merchandise that was made in 2020, remains the same, as single sales bundled with merch items are not going to be taken into consideration.
How This Affects BTS:
This does not change much for the band as their singles have been sold without bundles for as long as one can remember. The pricing too is not something that will affect their sales massively.
Overall, the changes made to Billboard Hot 100 seem to attempt to curb mass buying and streaming by a dedicated audience. While for more prominent artists this might not pose a huge issue, for smaller artists who deserve recognition, it may become difficult to shine with their supporters' hands now being tied. Even though the changes do hint at a more transparent unique listener chart, whether it can really bring the idea on paper, only time will tell.
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Written By: Rose
Edited By: Aury
Checked By: Esma