Billboard incorporates Pandora data into Hot 100 chart

Billboard is adding Pandora streaming data to its rankings on the Hot 100 chart. The Pandora numbers now join Nielsen Music’s data about track sales, radio airplay, and on-demand streaming in determining placements. Pandora will also be used for streaming-based charts and the genre-specific charts that are based on the Hot 100 formula. This change will take effect beginning Jan. 31 (for charts dated Feb. 11).

Last week, Billboard announced that its genre album charts would add on-demand stream counts to their calculations. That development builds on the initial move to include streaming data back in 2014.  This is the first time the lean-back listening of Pandora has been incorporated into Billboard’s charting system.

The impact of integrating Pandora can be seen right away in the results of the chart. For instance, “Chill Bill” by Rob $tone with J. Davi$ and Spooks is on Pandora’s top 10 most-streamed songs for the week. That strong performance on Pandora means the track placed more than 10 spots higher than it would have without those plays. Pandora also helped two songs get placement on the chart: Lady Gaga’s “Million Reasons” and Callum Scott’s ”Dancing On My Own.”