From June 30, the Top 50 singles survey will include digital downloads from the Apple iTunes, Eircom Music Club, Mycokemusic, Vodafone, Sony Connect, Bleep, Wippit and easyMusic sites.
“IRMA has been monitoring download track sales for the last three months prior to going live with the new charts,” reveals a spokesperson. “At present, sales for downloads in Ireland account for approx. 14% of all music sales. However when the new style charts are introduced it’s expected they will follow the trend in the UK where sales of digital downloads have more than tripled in the last year and now account for over 50% of the singles market.”
Adds the Director General of IRMA, Dick Doyle: “We’ve always had the most accurate chart in the world, representing over 90% of weekly sales through nearly 400 stores. Consumer purchasing is changing dramatically and we intend to keep our chart fresh by introducing downloads to mirror this changing market place.”
The first Irish Top 50 singles chart to include downloads will be broadcast and published on Friday July 7.