Official Charts Company shakes up rules to stop the Ed Sheeran effect

The Official Singles Chart is getting a structural shake up. Starting from July, artists will be allowed only three of their most popular tracks in the top 100, to prevent music’s heavyweight acts dominating the majority of the charts.

According to the Official Charts Company, the changes are designed to “ensure the chart continues to be a showcase for the new hits and talent which are the lifeblood of UK music”. The aim is to support new talent progressing up the chart, without potential hits being inhibited by older tracks or album tracks by big-name artists. The rule adjustments are expected to boost the number of new chart tracks by about 10%.

With music fans often now streaming records in full on repeat, including the likes of Ed Sheeran – whose 2017 album ÷ propelled 16 songs into the Top 20 singles chart – it has become increasingly difficult for newer talent to break through . Drake, Stormzy, the Weeknd, Little Mix and Kendrick Lamar have similarly overshadowed the singles charts on the week of their album releases, with multiple songs featured in the top 40.

There will also be a change in the streaming ratio for older tracks that are past their peak and in “steep, prolonged decline” to make space for newer releases.

The tweaks – prompted by seismic changes in the wake of the boom of streaming and its subsequent impact on the charts – have been agreed in consultation with record labels, retailers and digital music services across the major and independent industry sectors.