Music downloads get U.K. pop chart

The U.K.'s fondness for music downloads has spawned a new virtual singles chart. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has announced it will be running a chart of the most popular U.K. downloads from Sept.1, with numbers gleaned from song-shop staples such as iTunes, Mycokemusic.com and Virgin.

The chart will be compiled by the Official U.K. Chart Company (OCC) and will be sponsored by Coca Cola. Like its traditional, physical-format counterpart, the download chart will be broadcast on BBC Radio 1, but initially, it will feature only the Top 20 singles. Newly reformed group The Pixies scooped No. 1 this week, according to BPI, with the single "Bam Thwok," available exclusively from iTunes.

Jo Best reported from London. For the full story, visit Silicon.com.

What a load of rubbish

why split out online sales? are we going to have a separate chart
for CD sales, tape sales and vinyl sales too ? when will the
recording industry wake up and realise that digital music doesn't
have to be kept in a separate stable forever ?