The music industry is facing a major shake-up as YouTube announced it will stop submitting U.S. streaming data to Billboard in 2026. The decision comes amid disagreements over how paid subscription streams and ad-supported streams are counted on the charts.
Billboard recently updated its streaming rules, giving more weight to paid streams: now, 2.5 free streams equal one paid stream, compared to the previous 3-to-1 ratio. YouTube argued that all streams should be valued equally, stating that the new methodology doesn’t accurately reflect how fans listen to music today.
“After a decade-long partnership, they were unwilling to make meaningful changes,” said Lyor Cohen, YouTube’s global head of music. He emphasized that streaming accounts for 84% of U.S. recorded music revenue, and that every fan engagement should be counted.
While YouTube will continue providing its data to Luminate, one of Billboard’s main data providers, it confirmed that its streams will no longer influence Billboard charts after January 16, 2026.
In response, Billboard stressed that the charts reflect multiple ways fans support artists, including paid streams, sales, and other revenue sources. The company reiterated its hope that YouTube may reconsider its decision in the future.
The announcement has sparked wide discussion in the music industry, leaving artists, labels, and fans to wonder about the impact on chart rankings and the evolving role of streaming platforms in tracking music success.