Become a Singer and Chart your Success
Ever wondered what it takes to get No 1 in the charts or even how they started? Then read on. The first UK singles chart was published by New Musical Express in November 1952. Percy Dickins joint founder of NME, compiled the results by telephoning a selection of record stores. The No 1 position was occupied by Al Martino's 'Here In My Heart'.
The UK singles chart was extended to become a Top 20 in October 1954. The NME Chart was then extended to a Top 30. In November 1958 the first UK album chart appeared in NME and The South Pacific soundtrack was the No 1 best seller. From March 1960 the retail music magazine Record Retailer (later to become Music Week) compiled the chart. NME, however, did continue to publish their own chart.
On 3rd January 1963 the Top 50 became independently audited. Things now move into more familiar territory with the launch of TOTP 41 years ago!
The first broadcast of Top of the Pops on January 1st 1964 was presented by Jimmy Savile. The show was opened by the Rolling Stones who were at No 13 with 'I Wanna Be Your Man'. The Beatles had six records in the Top 20 and occupied the No 1 slot with 'I Want to Hold Your Hand'. It was first broadcast on Wednesday evenings at 6.35pm
In February 1969 British Market Research Bureau (BMRB) began collecting sales data from 250 record shops on behalf of BBC and Record Retailer and produced the first industry chart. Sales were logged by hand and submitted to BMRB by post. Research organisation Gallup took over from BMRB in January 1983 as charts compiler and automated the data collection process.In February 1994 research company Millward Brown replaced Gallup.The sample or record outlets increased to more than 1000.
In July 1998 Music Information Chart Services Ltd (trading as Chart Information Network - CIN) took over as the managers of the official chart. It was a joint venture between BARD and BPI. In October 2002, Chart Information Network (CIN) re- branded itself as The Official UK Charts Company in a move to better reflect its core business. The Official UK Charts Company is governed by the Charts Supervisory Committee comprising representatives from retailers, record companies and broadcasters.
How do I get a record in the charts?
Step 1: Ensure your release complies with the ‘Chart Rules’. Contact OCC for a copy or they are available on our website www.theofficialcharts.com
Step 2: Get a barcode. We can only track sales of those records with a unique barcode. For more information please check out the following website www.ana.org.uk or contact OCC for a copy of the BPI Barcode Leaflet.
Step 3: Send a finished copy of all formats of the record to our chart compilers, Millward Brown c/ o The Chart Unit, Millward Brown UK, Olympus Avenue, Tachbrook Park, Warwick, CV34 6RJ. Include your own contact details, plus dealer price and release date information. Millward Brown will then ensure that the product is added to our file of releases to match to once sales information is received.
Step 4: Market your record and sell as many copies as you can. The Official UK Singles and Albums Charts are based purely on sales, so if you sell enough copies and have complied with 1 – 3 above your record will appear in the charts.
How do I get a record in the download charts?
Step 1: Ensure your release complies with the ‘Download Chart Rules’. Contact OCC for a copy or they are available on our website www. theofficialcharts. com under the section Company Info.
Step 2: Get an ISRC number for individual tracks. We can only track sales of those downloads with an ISRC number. For ISRC numbers and information please contact the PPL on 020 7534 1122 or by email on member.info@ppluk.com
Step 3: Once you have obtained your ISRC number for your track from PPL you will then need to register your ISRC with Catco on 020 7534 1333 or by email on info@catcouk.com In order to ensure inclusion it is advised that this data reaches Catco at least 2 weeks in advance of release.
Step 4: Market your record and sell as many copies as you can through chart returning digital music retailers. The Official UK Download Chart is based purely on permanent download sales, so if you sell enough copies and have complied with 1 – 3 above your record will appear in the charts.
Once you've done all this you can watch Fearne Cotton introducing your hit single on TOTP2 on Saturday mornings at 11.00am on BBC1. See you there!
