Baby Shark, the ultimate ear worm, has entered the Billboard Top 40 – at #32 and It Takes Two wondered how this is even possible. Ryan Jackson from MSUM stopped in to explain how the process works to get into the Billboard Charts these days and how the technology of today is changing the ratings systems of tomorrow.
Back in the day, you made it onto the charts through album sales. This was fairly easy to track. In 2019, the game has changed. Sure, there are still album sales in the form of digital downloads, but the situation is complicated with streaming services and free listening sources such as youtube.
So, in the case of ‘Baby Shark,’ you can figure that millions of people are not downloading the song enough to push it onto Billboard’s radar – but there are enough people (children and parents) listening to online sources to make a splash.
Streaming services such as Spotify and free listening sources such as Youtube provide view or listen counts and each one counts for half a point. A purchased download would equal one point. This weighted scale puts more “value” in purchased music, but also takes into account the new ways we are consuming music. ‘Baby Shark’ has over 2 BILLION views on youtube, so it’s no surprise that it was able to hit the charts. Even with less weighted points from youtube, they can add up quickly.
Are the Billboard Charts broken? No, they are evolving with changing technology and listening styles.
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(Amy Iler & JJ Gordon are talk-show hosts at 790 AM KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. “It Takes 2 with Amy & JJ” can be heard weekdays 11am-2pm. Check out the show page on
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