Virgin To Launch UK’s First Online Music Chart
Virgin Radio is responding to the increasing popularity of music downloads by launching the nation’s first weekly chart rundown using Napster online sales figures.
The Napster Online Music Chart, which launches later this month, will countdown the 20 most popular songs downloaded by Napster users from a catalogue of 750,000 tracks each week. The show will broadcast every Sunday from 7pm and will be presented by Ben Jones.
Virgin Radio claims the new chart will not just be based on permanent downloads, but will also register full-length streams and subscription downloads, making it the most comprehensive assessment of online music tastes.
The launch of the chart also represents the start of a strategic marketing partnership between Virgin Radio and Napster in the UK, which will see a number of promotions and competitions offered to listeners, such as the chance to shadow Robert Smith from The Cure when he becomes Napster’s guest programme director.
Commenting on the initiative, Virgin Radio’s chief executive, John Pearson, said: “This groundbreaking chart with Napster puts Virgin Radio at the innovative edge of the radio industry. Napster is the premier online music partner in the UK and this is the first step in what will become a much broader partnership.”
Leanne Sharman, Napster’s vice-president and UK general manager, added: “As well as hitting our core demographic and having millions of listeners, Virgin Radio enjoys over 1 million unique online visitors a month, making it an ideal brand partner for Napster.”
BBC Radio One is also planning to broadcast a similar chart of the most popular downloads after signing a deal with the Official Chart Company earlier this month. The Corporation’s flagship youth station will launch its download chart on 1 September.
Last month research from media super-regulator Ofcom revealed that the growing popularity of Apple’s Ipod personal music player, which can store thousands of downloaded songs, is so high on young people’s wish lists that it is threatening to poach digital radio’s early adopters (see DAB Broadcasters Face Threat From Ipod Generation).
Virgin Radio: 020 7434 1215 www.virginradio.co.uk
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