Billboard Pulls Vinyl Sales Data After Disputed 33% Drop Sparks Industry Backlash
Billboard has removed vinyl sales figures from its website after reporting a dramatic 33.3% year-over-year decline, raising questions about the accuracy of vinyl record sales tracking in 2024.
The removal came after significant pushback from industry stakeholders. The Vinyl Alliance demanded corrections, while Luminate (Billboard's data provider) labeled their own figures as 'inaccurate' and 'unauthorized' when published by Billboard.
At the core of this controversy is Luminate's new methodology for counting vinyl sales, implemented in early 2024. This change prompted independent record stores to create their own separate vinyl chart through the Vinyl Record Manufacturing Association (VRMA).
Billboard vinyl album sales chart
Key developments in this situation:
- Luminate later claimed vinyl sales were actually up 6% after excluding independent store data
- Billboard added a disclaimer about the methodology change making year-over-year comparisons invalid
- Other industry organizations (RIAA, BPI, and IFPI) continue to report growth in vinyl shipments for 2024
- Major releases like Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department" variants haven't been clearly reflected in the new counting system
Both Billboard and Luminate are owned by Penske Media Corporation, which has declined to comment on the situation. The industry now awaits clarification on how vinyl sales will be tracked and reported moving forward.
Businessman checking phone with charts
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