From November 7, Recorded Music NZ's Official Top 40 Singles Chartand the NZ Artist Singles Chart will include on demand audio streaming data as well as sales.

Streaming has increasingly become an important method of music consumption and is seeing rapid adoption by NZ music consumers, Recorded Music NZ says. Music streaming revenues have tripled since 2012 and now make up nearly 10 per cent of all revenues by format and close to 20 per cent of digital revenue.

CEO Damian Vaughan says Recorded Music NZ recognises the importance of moving with the times and incorporating streaming.  "The objective of The Charts is to reflect the popularity of music and to measure active consumer demand for music," Vaughan says

"Given the rapid growth of on demand audio streaming services in NZ we feel it's imperative to further enhance the Official Top 40 Singles Chart's role as the best measure of music popularity by reflecting what New Zealand fans are choosing to listen to each day."

The move follows the lead of the UK and some European charts. To reflect the difference in weight between streaming and purchasing, Recorded Music NZ has developed an audio conversion rate reflective of local market conditions and based on the algorithm used in multiple territories around the world. 

"The audio conversion rate is relative to every market - purchase activity and consumption differs among regions so we have to make sure the rate is relative to the music activity in New Zealand." Vaughan says. "It will be reviewed and adjusted periodically to make sure we are accounting for the ever-changing market and consumption patterns in NZ."

Only streaming where the consumer actively chooses to listen to a specific track will be counted towards the chart as this reflects active demand. The first chart to incorporate streaming stats goes live on Friday November 7.

About The Chart: The Chart is produced by Recorded Music New Zealand from statistics gathered from data collection agency RadioScope. Effective 7 November 2014 the Chart contributors are: Amplifier, Bandit.fm, Google Play, iTunes, JBHiFi, Manna Music, Marbecks, MightyApe, MyMusic Taupo, Real Groovy, Rough Peel, Slowboat, Spotify, Southbound, The Warehouse, Vinyl Countdown, XBox Music.