Beginning with next week’s listing, the Billboard 200 will no longer be a conventional album sales chart. The industry’s authoritative reflection of commercial album performance will incorporate modern “consumption” elements.
In addition to the raw album scans, the Billboard chart will also award one sale for every ten single track purchases and one sale for every 1,500 track streams.
While the new policy will not dramatically change the pecking order as far as new releases go (it will cause some shuffling, however), it will present all albums in a more flattering light. In some cases, that light will be significantly flattering.
As far as new releases go, the “Shady XV” will lead the charge. Currently tracking for an opening week sales total in the 140-150,000 range (note, however, that the potential impact of Black Friday makes this week’s early estimates particularly rough), the album, says Hits Daily Double, could debut with 155-165,000 credited “sales” in conjunction with the new Billboard 200 policy.
Next among new releases will be Beyonce’s platinum EP “More.” Hits says the release will drive 60-65,000 complete purchases but potentially 80-90,000 credited sales with track purchases and streams included.
Other estimates:
Rick Ross’ “Hood Billionaire” (~60-65,000 album purchases, ~65-70,000 total sales credits)
Selena Gomez’ “For You” (15-18,000 album purchases, ~30-35,000 total sales credits)
Iggy Azalea’s “Reclassified” (~11-13,000 album purchases, ~25-30,000 total sales credits)
Pitbull’s “Globalization” (~20-25,000 album purchases, ~28-32,000 total sales credits)
David Guetta’s “Listen” (~20-25,000 album purchases, ~27-30,000 total sales credits)
Hits Daily Double adds that the “Reclassified” streaming bonus could be affected by the performance of original release “The New Classic.” If it sells more than “Reclassified,” it will receive credit for the relevant track streams and purchases (thus resulting in a lower total for “Reclassified”).