Pixies top UK download chart

Fully live on 1 September

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Financial News, 28th June 2004 15:26 GMT

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The Phonographic Industry (BPI) official chart for downloaded singles is going live from the 1 September.

The chart is compiled from paid-for downloads from the likes of HMV, OD2 and iTunes. It counts singles sold to UK consumers and takes information from 7 Digital Media, iTunes, Metacharge, OD2 and Playlouder.com. The BPI will be looking for more partners in future.

Radio One is the main broadcast partner for the chart but it is not clear how it will use the figures.

BPI chairman Peter Jamieson said: "Downloads are not a replacement for the physical single or album. Sales of tracks via download will likely be a fraction of those on album or even single for some time to come. Music remains overwhelmingly a CD market. But the excitement and energy surrounding the new legal music sites is giving a lift to the entire market."

The BPI also released the top twenty for 13 to 19 June. The Pixies came out at number one with Bam Thwok and Maroon5 secured number two with This Love. Apart from the Pixies there was only one other download exclusive from Ash - Teenage Kicks - which reached number twenty. Three tracks, from George Michael, the Cure and the Streets were upcoming singles. All the other chart entries were current or previous chart singles.

A spokesman refused to reveal figures but the fact that the Pixies made it to number one despite only releasing their single through iTunes, and missing a good part of the survey period, suggests there could be problems to iron out. The survey was carried out between 13 and 19 June but iTunes was only launched 15 June. Either that or all iTunes owners are big fans of the Pixies.

The chart is compiled by the Official UK Chart Company and is sponsored by Coca-Cola. It counts only individual singles sold, not tracks from albums or bundles. ®