End of an era for Music Chart in Friday switch

Decades of pop tradition will come to an end on July 5 when the last Sunday evening chart is broadcast ahead of its move to Fridays.

The top 40 is moving after the music industry agreed to make Friday the global release date for new albums and singles.

The first Friday chart will be broadcast on July 10 and the first full seven-day chart a week later.

It is the biggest change to the charts since 1987 when they were moved to Sunday evenings from Tuesdays. The new chart show, presented on Radio 1 by Greg James, will be in the Friday drive-time slot from 4pm.

Official Charts Company chief executive Martin Talbot said: “Moving to Friday ushers in a new era for the Official Chart this summer. From July 10, every Friday night will be party night for all the artists and their UK fans celebrating their latest chart position. It is going to be a fantastic new beginning for the Official Charts.”

A synchronised release day will allow fans to get their hands on new releases at the same time and the music industry hopes it will help cut down on piracy.

Different countries previously had different release days, with new music being released on Mondays in the UK, Tuesdays in the US and Fridays in Australia and Germany.

Geoff Taylor, chief executive of UK music trade body the BPI, said: “Unifying the day of release inevitably means some countries are having to switch days, but it makes sense to consider the time of the week when interest in entertainment, digital activity and physical footfall is building towards its peak.

“Fans are telling us they would like new music ready for the weekend, so Friday appears the best choice.”

Speaking when the move was first announced, Radio 1 controller Ben Cooper said the new show would have to be “a little more choosy” about which tracks it played, but pointed out the current three-hour show does not play all 40 tracks. He said the top 20 would be played every week.

The current Sunday night chart show pulls in around 1.2 million listeners, while Greg James pulls in more than five million across the week.