On December 17, YouTube confirmed that it will end its data partnership with Billboard. Beginning January 16, 2026, the platform will cease supplying music and video streaming data for Billboard’s rankings, marking the end of a collaboration that began in February 2013. The decision follows months of stalled discussions over Billboard’s chart methodology.
“Billboard uses an outdated formula that weights subscription-supported streams higher than ad-supported. This doesn’t reflect how fans engage with music today and ignores the massive engagement from fans who don’t have a subscription. Streaming is the primary way people experience music, making up 84% of U.S. recorded music revenue,” YouTube stated.
In a statement, the platform stressed that every stream should count the same, regardless of whether it comes from a subscriber or a free viewer. From YouTube’s perspective, a play is a play. The company claims Billboard was unwilling to update its approach in a meaningful way, leaving withdrawal as the only option. Billboard acknowledged the split and confirmed that YT currently represents roughly one-third of the total streams used in chart calculations.
“The change means that paid/subscription streams will be weighted against ad-supported streams at a 1:2.5 ratio, narrowed from the previous 1:3 ratio,” Billboard asserted.
The publication explained that recent adjustments in how ad-supported streams are valued resulted in fewer points being credited to certain rights holders. That gap appears to be at the center of the fallout. The announcement triggered widespread fan reactions online.
“This isn’t good for kpop, perhaps not entirely but it will be very noticeable,” an X user commented.
K-pop listeners voiced particular concern. According to them, music videos play a central role in chart-driven success for many artists.
Once the cutoff takes effect, YouTube views will no longer influence Billboard rankings. The shift is expected to alter how chart performance is measured going forward.
Why is YouTube challenging Billboard’s streaming chart formula?
YouTube declared its decision comes down to how modern music is consumed, arguing that millions of fans stream songs for free and those plays still represent real demand. Company leaders believe current chart formulas favor subscription services and undervalue ad-supported listening, even though the free online video-sharing platform hosts one of the world’s largest music audiences.
With streaming now making up about 80 percent of U.S. recorded music revenue, the platform feels charts that reduce the weight of free plays no longer reflect how people actually listen. The disagreement intensified as Billboard and its data partner Luminate revised their calculations, requiring far more ad-supported streams to equal album units while giving paid streams faster conversion.
Billboard said the changes reflect economic value, since subscriptions generate more revenue per play. YouTube, whose business relies on ad-supported viewing, sees this as tilting chart power toward paid platforms. Rather than endorse a system it considers uneven, the company chose to withdraw its data.
According to Find Articles, the shift is expected to benefit subscription-driven services while reducing chart impact for artists with audiences concentrated on YouTube. Even so, YT’s promotional reach remains strong, and viral video moments are still likely to influence discovery, radio interest, and touring decisions despite carrying less chart weight.
This comes amid several leading K-pop groups preparing returns in 2026, setting up an active year ahead. For instance, BTS is expected to reunite in the Spring. BLACKPINK is moving toward full-team activities again. EXO is lining up a comeback early in the year. SEVENTEEN will stay present through a unit release, with a mini album scheduled for January. Groups like TWICE and ENHYPEN are also set to stay active.
Edited by Shreya Jha
