The BBC has announced that their long running top 40 chart show is moving from its traditional Sunday afternoon slot to Friday evening, as a global release date for singles and albums comes into effect. As well as the change of days, the show will also be shorter, meaning that not all songs will be played during the run down.

Sam SmithArtist such as Sam Smith will now hear their official UK chart position on a Friday

From June, Friday will become the global release date for singles and albums, as announced by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which represents the worldwide record industry, last month.

The move comes as digital downloads and streaming services replace traditional physical singles, meaning that music can now be played or purchased anywhere in the world instantly upon release.  

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Currently in the UK singles are released on Sundays with albums following a day later, but recently the top 40 chart has begun to modernised and now also takes in account music played on streaming services.

According to the IFPI, the new synchronised global release date should mean there’s more excitement from single releases and less piracy. The move should also help artists who wish to publicise their music through social media, as now tracks will be available anywhere in the world at the same time.

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The new Radio One chart show will begin in July and be presented by DJ Greg James and will be two hours long, focusing mainly on the top 20. Currently the Sunday night chart show is presented by Clara Amfo, and attracts just 1.2 million listeners. As part of the changes, the BBC will also be launching launch a weekly half-hour TV chart show on their children’s channel, CBBC.

Speaking about the move, Radio 1 controller Ben Cooper said, “If anything this gives the chart a new lease of life. It gives it exposure to a new audience on a Friday afternoon, a new presenter and a new format. It’s going to have to be tighter and slicker and answer the demands of that new audience.”