6 November, 2014
Official NZ Music Charts to Include Audio Streams
From November 7 Recorded Music NZ’s Official Top 40 Singles Chart and the NZ Artist Singles Chart will include on demand
audio streaming data as well as sales.
Streaming has increasingly become an important method of music consumption and is seeing rapid adoption by NZ music
consumers, Recorded Music NZ says. Music streaming revenues have tripled since 2012 and now make up nearly 10 per cent
of all revenues by format and close to 20 per cent of digital revenue.
CEO Damian Vaughan says Recorded Music NZ recognises the importance of moving with the times and incorporating
streaming.
“The objective of The Charts is to reflect the popularity of music and to measure active consumer demand for music,”
Vaughan says
“Given the rapid growth of on demand audio streaming services in NZ we feel it’s imperative to further enhance the
Official Top 40 Singles Chart’s role as the best measure of music popularity by reflecting what New Zealand fans are
choosing to listen to each day.”
The move follows the lead of the UK and some European charts. To reflect the difference in weight between streaming and
purchasing, Recorded Music NZ has developed an audio conversion rate reflective of local market conditions and based on
the algorithm used in multiple territories around the world.
“The audio conversion rate is relative to every market – purchase activity and consumption differs among regions so we
have to make sure the rate is relative to the music activity in New Zealand.” Vaughan says. “It will be reviewed and
adjusted periodically to make sure we are accounting for the ever-changing market and consumption patterns in NZ.”
Only streaming where the consumer actively chooses to listen to a specific track will be counted towards the chart as
this reflects active demand. The first chart to incorporate streaming stats goes live on Friday November 7.
About The Chart: The Chart is produced by Recorded Music New Zealand from statistics gathered from data collection
agency RadioScope. Effective 7 November 2014 the Chart contributors are: Amplifier, Bandit.fm, Google Play, iTunes,
JBHiFi, Manna Music, Marbecks, MightyApe, MyMusic Taupo, Real Groovy, Rough Peel, Slowboat, Spotify, Southbound, The
Warehouse, Vinyl Countdown, XBox Music.
For more information on the Official NZ Top 40 Chart, please see:
About Recorded Music New Zealand
Recorded Music NZ is a non-profit industry representation and licensing organisation for recording artists and their
labels. It divides its services into three main areas. The Member Services team delivers projects including the Vodafone
NZ Music Awards, the weekly Official NZ Top40 Charts and the Music Grants programme. Recorded Music NZ’s licensing
division administers broadcast and public performance licensing either directly or through its joint initiative with
APRA called OneMusic. The Pro-Music team is dedicated to protecting and promoting the interests of artists and labels
across the New Zealand recording industry.
ENDS