YouTube streams return to Billboard charts in 2027 after formula change
YouTube will resume sending its U.S. streaming data to Billboard's charts in 2027, ending a standoff that began in January. Billboard narrowed the gap between paid and free streams: starting with the Jan. 16 chart, 1,500 ad-supported streams will count as one album unit, down from 2,500, while paid streams stay at 1,000.
AI-assisted · US Brief desk · Sources listed below
What happened
YouTube said Monday that its streaming data will return to Billboard's U.S. charts in 2027. It came the same day Billboard said it would change how it weighs free and paid streams. "Billboard's new methodology better reflects how fans engage with music today across both subscription and ad-supported services," YouTube's global head of music, Lyor Cohen, wrote in a two-line update to the company's blog.
Why it matters
Paid streams still count for more, but free listening now moves the charts further. TechCrunch said the change could help independent artists and acts with big international fan bases, whose music videos, live clips and lyric videos draw heavy free viewing on YouTube.
More context
The new formula: Starting with the Billboard 200 dated Jan. 16, which reflects listening from Jan. 1 to 7, one album unit will equal 1,500 ad-supported streams or 1,000 paid-subscription streams, Billboard said. Today it takes 2,500 ad-supported streams to match 1,000 paid ones. One album unit also equals one album sale or 10 tracks sold.
Timeline: 2013: Billboard adds YouTube data to song charts, including the Hot 100. 2019: YouTube data joins the Billboard 200, and paid streams start counting more than free ones. December 2025: YouTube says it will stop sharing data, calling the formula "outdated." Jan. 31, 2026: YouTube is out, starting with that week's charts. Nov. 9, 2026: Billboard narrows the ratio and YouTube agrees to return.
The two positions: YouTube said it was "simply asking that every stream is counted fairly and equally," noting streaming makes up 84% of U.S. recorded music revenue. Billboard has said weighting by access and pay "better reflects the varied user activity" on streaming services.
3 listed sources
- YouTube Blog (Lyor Cohen), A change to YouTube's inclusion on the U.S. Billboard charts, updated Nov. 9, 2026
- Billboard, YouTube Streaming Data to Return to Billboard Charts, Nov. 9, 2026
- TechCrunch (Lauren Forristal), YouTube streaming data returns to Billboard charts, ending major disagreement, Nov. 9, 2026
References listed by US Brief; a source count is not a verification score.
Like US Brief? You can support it with a tip.