Update: Analysts are struggling to land on a firm sales projection for Drake’s “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late.”
After first reporting that the album was on track for an opening weekend tally in the 500,000 range, analysts upgraded that figure to 550,000 on Saturday. In its story on that projection, Hits added that Republic sources were eyeing a total as high as 700,000.
Enthusiasm appeared to cool a bit Sunday. Hits now says the 550,000 figure will apply to sales, track equivalent albums (10 single sales = 1 album sale) and streaming equivalent albums (1500 single streams = 1 album sale). Those figures will not be massive given the abbreviated tracking period, but their inclusion in the 550,000 total means Hits no longer believes the album will meet or exceed 550,000 in pure sales.
Actual sales data will be made available Tuesday evening.
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The opening weekend forecast for Drake’s “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” is moving closer to the mark posted by 2013’s “Beyonce.”
According to Hits Daily Double, insiders are now eyeing a three-day sales total in excess of 550,000. Insofar as that projection has already grown–sources originally anticipated a bow in the 500,000 range–there is reason to bring the “Beyonce” total into the conversation.
Released as a surprise in December 2013, Beyonce’s self-titled “visual album” moved 617,213 copies in its first three days.
Per Hits, Republic is supposedly confident that “If You’re Reading This” will top the “Beyonce” figure. While industry analysts are currently focused on 550,000, those close to the label are reportedly tossing around a 700,000 figure.
Whether it lands just below or just above the Beyonce mark, “If You’re Reading This” is an undeniable success. It is also a lock for the #1 spot on Billboard’s Top Album Sales and Billboard 200 charts.
