How to Game the Billboard Charts (And Why You Shouldn’t) — Our Latest Podcast

What does it really take to get to the top of the Billboard charts? The answer, according to Reggie Gooden, a partner at 818 Talent, depends on when you’re asking.  Gooden, named a top business manager for artists and entertainment talent by the …

Streaming Accounted for 80% of US-Based Recording Revenues in 2019, Up from 7% in 2010

In an announcement that mirrored a similar report from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) said that music streaming accounted for 80% of the U.S. music market. The organization made the announc…

Music Streams Cross 100 Billion Annually in the U.K., a Brand-New Record

According to a new report from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), there were more than 100 billion music streams in the United Kingdom during 2019, which breaks a record. The organization says that there were a total of 114 billion music streams …

Vinyl Record Sales Surpass 1.24MM Units During Christmas Week in the U.S.

Billboard is reporting that vinyl record sales in the United States during Christmas week exceeded 1.24 million units, making it the biggest week for such sales since Nielsen Music began tracking them back in 1991. What’s more, it is the first ti…

2019 Was the Year of the Wireless Headphone — Sales May Top 350 Million

According to a research report from Canalys, 2019 has been a banner year for the wireless headphone market, as sales in the third quarter reached 96.7 million, which represents a growth of 53% over the same period the year before. The company is furthe…

What Headphone Jack? AirPods Sales Top $6B This Year, Expected To Rise

Apple AirPods sales nearly doubled this year as they crossed the $6 billion threshold. Analysts believe the wireless earbuds could sell even more next year. Toni Sacconaghi, an analyst for Bernstein, predicts that Apple could sell 85 million AirPods in…

Billboard Changes Its Mind: YouTube Will Now Factor into the Billboard 200

Breaking a policy that has been in effect since 2017, Billboard will now incorporate audio and video data coming from YouTube in its computation of the Billboard 200 albums chart. While Billboard has not included YouTube data in its albums chart, it ha…

UMG Releases Analytical Tool for Artists

Universal Music Group (UMG) has just released a new app for its artists that will provide them and their management teams both analytics from the leading music streaming services as well as insights from the top social media platforms. Dubbed Universal…

Is the Music Industry ‘Comeback’ Overrated? A Hard Look at the Latest Stats

Just a few short years ago, the music industry was contemplating its very existence. But is it time to get over the comeback celebration? For an industry that nearly collapsed overnight, the past few years have been a godsend. But is all the talk of a …

The Black Keys Explain How to Game the Billboard Charts and Get a #1 Album

Once upon a time, the band that sold the most albums topped the Billboard charts. Now, it’s a totally different game. Here’s a deal that the Black Keys decided to turn down. Appearing recently on the Joe Rogan Podcast, Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney…