# YouTube will once again be part of Billboard chart calculations in 2027

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/youtube-will-once-again-be-part-of-billboard-chart-calculations-in-2027/
- Published: 2026-11-09T21:09:51+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T21:20:45+00:00
- Original publisher: Engadget
- Original article: https://www.engadget.com/2311532/youtube-will-once-again-be-part-of-billboard-chart-calculations-in-2027/
- Topics: Trending, Weird & Viral

## Key points

- YouTube streams return to Billboard charts in January 2027.
- Billboard will count 1,500 ad-supported streams as one album unit.
- Paid streams will still carry more weight than free streams.

## Summary

Billboard will include YouTube listening in its chart calculations again from January 2027, after the platform stopped sharing data in December 2025. YouTube had argued that Billboard’s methodology undervalued free, ad-supported listening; Billboard’s change narrows the gap between free and paid streams while still giving paid listens more weight.

Under the new rules, 1,500 ad-supported streams will count as one album consumption unit, equal to one album sale or 1,000 streams from paying listeners. Previously, 2,500 ad-supported streams were needed for the same unit. The calculations affect the Billboard 200, Hot 100 and other charts that include streaming data.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.
