# YouTube returns to Billboard charts after streaming row

> YouTube ends its dispute with Billboard by resuming data sharing after the charts weighted ad-supported streams more fairly.
- Title: YouTube returns to Billboard charts after streaming row
- Summary: YouTube ends its dispute with Billboard by resuming data sharing after the charts weighted ad-supported streams more fairly.
- Keywords: youtube, billboard, music streaming, chart rankings, ad-supported streams, paid subscriptions, TechCrunch
- Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/09/youtube-streaming-data-returns-to-billboard-charts-ending-major-disagreement
- Author: Lauren Forristal
- Published: 2026-11-09T19:39:41+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: youtube, billboard, music streaming, chart rankings, ad-supported streams, paid subscriptions, technology, startups
## YouTube ends Billboard dispute
YouTube announced Monday it will resume sharing streaming data with Billboard in twenty twenty-seven, ending a major disagreement over how music streams count toward chart rankings.
## The original complaint
YouTube stopped sharing data with Billboard in December twenty twenty-five, arguing the chart formula favored paid subscriptions and did not give enough credit to fans who listen for free with ads.
## Lyor Cohen's criticism
Lyor Cohen, YouTube's global head of music, wrote that Billboard's formula did not reflect how people listen to music today, with streaming making up eighty-four percent of U.S. recorded music revenue.

> Billboard uses an outdated formula that weights subscription-supported streams higher than ad-supported.
## The old weighting system
Under Billboard's previous formula, one thousand paid streams counted the same as two thousand five hundred ad-supported streams, giving too much importance to paid listening in YouTube's view.
## Billboard's new formula
Billboard updated its formula so one thousand paid streams now equal one thousand five hundred ad-supported streams when calculating album consumption units, compared with two thousand five hundred previously.
## What changes for artists
YouTube's return means more artist activity counts toward Billboard performance, especially helping independent musicians and those with large international fan bases who rely on free streaming.
## Key takeaway

YouTube will resume sharing streaming data with Billboard in twenty twenty-seven after Billboard changed its formula to give more weight to ad-supported streams.