The Official Chart
{{Short description|British music chart programme}}
{{About|the BBC Radio 1 show|the singles chart itself|UK Singles Chart|the company|Official Charts Company}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox radio show
| show_name = The Official Chart
| image = The Official Chart Logo.svg
| imagesize = 250px
| other_names = The Official Chart on Radio 1
| format = Top 40
| runtime = 105 minutes
| start_time = 16:00
| end_time = 17:45
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| home_station = BBC Radio 1
| presenter = Various
(as of 2024, Jack Saunders)
| creator =
| producer = Various
| record_location = Broadcasting House, London
| first_aired = {{Start date|df=yes|1967|10|1}}
| last_aired = present
| audio_format = Stereo
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
The Official Chart is a long-running United Kingdom music chart programme, airing each Friday afternoon on BBC Radio 1. It airs the UK singles chart compiled by the Official Charts Company.
In July 2015 The Official Chart moved from its traditional Sunday slot to Friday afternoons, to coincide with the global change in new music release dates from Sundays to Fridays.{{Cite news|title = Radio 1 chart show moving to Friday afternoons|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32019327|access-date = 2015-07-05|first = Mark|last = Savage|work = BBC News|date = 24 March 2015}}{{Cite web|title = FAQs {{!}} New Music Fridays|url = http://newmusicfridays.com/faqs/|website = newmusicfridays.com|access-date = 2015-07-05|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150713020035/http://newmusicfridays.com/faqs/|archive-date = 13 July 2015}} The chart airs between 16:00 and 17:45.
History
Pick of the Pops, as the chart was originally known, transferred to Radio One from the BBC Light Programme in October 1967, along with host Alan Freeman. Tom Browne took over in 1972 with Solid Gold Sixty. This consisted of two hours featuring Radio One playlist tracks which were not in the Top 20 (broadcast on 247 metres Medium Wave and carried on VHF by some location BBC radio stations), followed by a one-hour Top 20 rundown from 6pm - 7pm (carried also on BBC Radio 2's FM transmitters). Starting from March 1974,{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/radio1/england/1974-03-24|title=BBC Radio 1 England - 24 March 1974 - BBC Genome|website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk}} the playlist tracks were incorporated into Paul Burnett's 'All There Is To Hear', and the Tom Browne show was reduced to just the Top 20 for one hour at 18:00.
In April 1978, Simon Bates took over as presenter.{{cite web | title=Schedule | website=BBC Programme Index | date=2 April 1978 | url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/radio1/england/1978-04-02 | access-date=19 April 2023}} From May 1978, Radio One started promoting the Top 40 instead of the Top 30 in its Tuesday chart countdowns and daytime programming. This was because the Top 50 was increased to the BBC Top 75 that month.
From November 1978 the Sunday chart show was extended to a two-hour countdown of the entire top 40. At first, every record was played, but as there was insufficient time to play the whole of each record, during the 1980s some songs dropping in the chart were excluded. Tony Blackburn, who had been removed from weekday programming, hosted the show from 1979 to 1982.
From 6 January 1991, every song in the top 40 was played{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/radio1/england/1991-01-06|title=BBC Radio 1 England - 6 January 1991 - BBC Genome|website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk}} and in March 1992 the programme was extended to three hours to allow for each song again to be played in full. The programme now ran from 4pm until 7pm.{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/radio1/england/1992-03-15|title=BBC Radio 1 England - 15 March 1992 - BBC Genome|website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk}} Since then the show has had a variety of different names and presenters in guest and permanent roles.
The programme has run consistently every week, with the exceptions of 31 August 1997, 9 April 2021, 9 September 2022 and 21st March 2025 when it was cancelled as Radio 1 suspended programming due to the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and Queen Elizabeth II respectively.{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio 1 - Schedules |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl86 |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio 1 - Schedules, Friday 9 April 2021 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl86/2021/04/09 |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} The show was also sometimes shortened during coverage of BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend. Due to coverage of Gregathlon for Sport Relief 2016, the show on 12 February 2016 was presented by Scott Mills at the earlier time of 2 to 4pm.
In recent years the show has reflected changes in the music industry. In 2005 downloads began to be included as part of the top 40, and from July 2014 the show has also included audio streaming alongside physical sales.
Between February 2012 and August 2014 the show also streamed visually with music videos of the top 10 singles aired simultaneously on the Radio 1 website.
On 24 March 2015, it was announced that in July 2015 the show would be moving from a standalone show in its traditional Sunday night slot to a new position on Friday afternoons as part of Greg James' afternoon show.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32019327 | work=BBC News Online | title=Radio 1 chart show moving to Friday afternoons - BBC News | date=24 March 2015 | access-date=24 March 2015}} The move was due to an international agreement by the music industry to release all new albums and singles on Fridays. The new chart played the top 25 in full rather than the top 40 that had previously been broadcast. The change in presenter meant that Clara Amfo became the shortest-serving permanent host of the show. The Sunday night slot was replaced with a new show hosted by Cel Spellman and Katie Thistleton.{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/32026975 | work=BBC Newsbeat | title=Radio 1 boss Ben Cooper on new Official Chart Show plans - BBC Newsbeat | date=24 March 2015 | access-date=24 March 2015}}
Since 17 February 2017, only the new entries and highest climbers from the top 40 are played with the top 10 played in full after 5 o'clock.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08dms74|title = BBC Radio 1 - the Official Chart on Radio 1 with Scott Mills, 17/02/2017}}
Presenters
The names in italics indicates a co-host for the show.
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
| style="width: 10%;" rowspan="2" | From
! style="width: 10%;" rowspan="2" | To ! style="width: 10%;" rowspan="2" | Duration ! style="width: 30%;" colspan="2" | Presenter(s) ! style="width: 40%;" rowspan="2" | Format |
|---|
| style="width: 15%;" | Main
! style="width: 15%;" | Cover(s) |
| 1 October 1967
| 24 September 1972 | {{ayd|1967|10|1|1972|9|24}} | {{N/a|Unknown}} | Known as Pick of the Pops and featured new entries between numbers 21 and 30 and the complete Top 20. |
| 1 October 1972
| 17 March 1974 | rowspan="2" |{{ayd|1972|10|1|1978|3|26}} | rowspan="2" | Tom Browne | A three-hour show called Solid Gold Sixty featuring new releases, climbers and chart entries below the Top 20 from 16:00–18:00, followed by the Top 20 itself from 18:00–19:00. |
| 24 March 1974
| 26 March 1978 | rowspan="2" | Reduced to just the Top 20, running from 18:00–19:00. |
| 2 April 1978
| 5 November 1978 | rowspan="2" |{{ayd|1978|4|2|1979|8|26}} | rowspan="2" | Simon Bates | {{N/a|None}} |
| 12 November 1978
| 26 August 1979 | rowspan="7" | Extended to a two-hour Top 40 from 17:00–19:00. |
| 2 September 1979
| 3 January 1982 | {{ayd|1979|9|2|1982|1|3}} | {{N/a|None}} |
| 10 January 1982
| 1 January 1984 | {{ayd|1982|1|10|1984|1|1}} |
| 8 January 1984
| 23 September 1984 | {{ayd|1984|1|8|1984|9|23}} |
| 30 September 1984
| 23 March 1986 | {{ayd|1984|9|30|1986|3|23}} |
| 30 March 1986
| 23 September 1990 | {{ayd|1986|3|30|1990|9|23}} |
| 30 September 1990
| 30 December 1990 | rowspan="2" |{{ayd|1990|9|30|1992|3|1}} | rowspan="2" | Mark Goodier | {{N/a|none}} |
| 6 January 1991
| 1 March 1992 | rowspan="2" | Extended to a two-and-a-half-hour Top 40 from 16:30–19:00. |
| colspan="2" | 8 March 1992
| N/A | Tommy Vance |
| 15 March 1992
| 16 April 1995 | {{ayd|1992|3|15|1995|4|16}} | Simon Bates | rowspan="9" | Extended to a three-hour Top 40 from 16:00–19:00. Digital downloads were included in the chart from 17 April 2005. |
| 23 April 1995
| 17 November 2002 | {{ayd|1995|4|23|2002|11|17}} | Dave Pearce |
| 24 November 2002
| 2 February 2003 | {{ayd|2002|11|24|2003|2|2}} | {{N/a|None}}These time periods indicate a change in primary hosts during which the show was presented by covers. | Various |
| 9 February 2003
| 30 January 2005 | {{ayd|2003|2|9|2005|1|30}} |
| 6 February 2005
| 27 February 2005 | {{ayd|2005|2|6|2005|2|27}} | Various |
| 6 March 2005
| 30 September 2007 | {{ayd|2005|3|6|2007|9|30}} |
| colspan="2" | 7 October 2007
| N/A |
| 14 October 2007
| 20 September 2009 | {{ayd|2007|10|14|2009|9|20}} |
| 27 September 2009
| 23 December 2012 | {{ayd|2009|9|27|2012|12|23}} |
| 30 December 2012
| 6 January 2013 | {{ayd|2012|12|30|2013|1|6}} | rowspan="3" | A new background theme was introduced in February 2012. Music videos for the top 10 songs were streamed online from 26 February 2012 to 31 August 2014. |
| 13 January 2013
| 8 December 2013 | rowspan="3" |{{ayd|2013|1|13|2015|1|18}} |
| 15 December 2013
| 22 December 2013 | Jameela Jamil | {{N/a|None}} |
| 29 December 2013
| 18 January 2015 | rowspan="2" |Audio streaming was included in the chart from 6 July 2014. |
| 25 January 2015
| 5 July 2015 | {{ayd|2015|1|25|2015|7|5}} |
| 10 July 2015
| 20 October 2017 | {{ayd|2015|7|10|2017|10|20}} | The chart moved to Friday afternoons airing from 16:00–17:45 (till 18:00 on Bank Holidays). A new background theme was introduced. At the beginning of the period, the top 25 songs were played in full while the songs at 26-40 were mentioned briefly along with a short clip. |
| 27 October 2017
| 8 December 2017 | {{ayd|2017|10|27|2017|12|8}} | {{N/a|None}}Greg James received primary billing for these shows, but he remained completely absent during these time periods.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wkgn/episodes/guide|work=BBC Radio 1|access-date=26 May 2018|title=BBC Radio 1 - The Official Charts with Greg James - Episode Guide}} | MistaJam | rowspan="2" |The format changed in February 2017 to feature the Top 10 played in full (beginning from 5 pm after Newsbeat) with all new entries & big climbers getting a full play along with a select few other songs whilst the other song were quickly mentioned without a 30-sec clip. The top five albums were also announced. The singles at 10-3 were re-mentioned quickly with a short clip before announcing the top 2 singles. |
| 15 December 2017
| 9 March 2018 | {{ayd|2017|12|15|2018|3|9}} |
| 16 March 2018
| 20 April 2018 | {{ayd|2018|3|16|2018|4|20}} | MistaJam | rowspan="3" |The Newsbeat at 5pm was cancelled to accommodate more songs to be played in the show. Top 10 starts from 5:05 - 5:45 pm. |
| 27 April 2018
| 18 May 2018 | {{ayd|2018|4|27|2018|5|18}} | MistaJam |
| 25 May 2018
| 8 June 2018 | {{ayd|2018|5|25|2018|6|8}} | {{N/a|None}} |
| 15 June 2018
| 19 August 2022 | {{ayd|2018|6|15}} | Scott Mills{{cite web |last=McIntosh |first=Steven |date=10 April 2018 |title=BBC Radio 1 announces major schedule changes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43712467 |access-date=26 May 2018 |work=BBC News}} | Jordan North | rowspan="3"|The background theme was remastered based on the July 2015 version. Before announcing the top 2 singles, the singles at 20-3 are re-mentioned quickly without a short clip. Video streaming included in the chart from 6 July 2018. A new background theme was introduced in September 2020, which was replaced by another in September 2022 and then another one in January 2024 |
| 26 August 2022
| 2 September 2022 | {{ayd|2022|8|25|2022|9|2}} |
| 16 September 2022
| Present | {{ayd|2022|09|18}} | Jordan North Sian Eleri (co-hosted with Jack at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2024 in Luton) |
=Notes=
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
''The Official Chart Update''
{{Infobox radio show
| show_name = The Official Chart Update
| image = The Official Chart Update Logo.svg
| imagesize = 250px
| caption =
| other_names =
| format = Top 10
| runtime = 15 minutes
| start_time = 17:30
| end_time = 17:45
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| home_station = BBC Radio 1
| presenter = Nick Grimshaw
| record_location = Broadcasting House, London
| first_aired = {{start date|2010|3|10|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2019|7|8|df=y}}
| audio_format = Stereo
}}
Beginning on 10 March 2010, The Official Chart Update brand was launched giving an insight into the Official Singles Chart as it stands during the week.{{cite news|url = http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-chart-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-week-ahead__9971/|work = Official Charts|title = Everything you need to know about the new Official Chart|date = 4 July 2015|last = Talbot|first = Martin}} It originally aired on BBC Radio 1 on Wednesday afternoons hosted by Greg James, with a television version aired on MTV Music and MTV Hits.
In 2012 Scott Mills took over as host of The Official Chart Update with Jameela Jamil as co-host. Clara Amfo became the co-host of the show after Jamil left the show in early 2015. In mid-2015, Mills and Amfo left the show and James once again became the primary host of the show. Throughout the show's run Dev, Huw Stephens, and Matt Edmondson have filled in as cover presenters.
When the Official Chart moved to Fridays in July 2015, The Official Chart Update moved from Wednesdays to Mondays at 17:30 until 8 July 2019. The show was then replaced by The Official Chart: First Look.
=Format=
From its inception to 1 July 2015, several songs such as the re-entry(ies), new entry(ies), highest climbers and the Number 1 single were played in the show. The songs at 2–40 were mentioned briefly before playing the Number 1 single. Since 13 July 2015, the chart update is presented with the songs at 4–10 being mentioned briefly along with a short clip while the top 3 are played in full.
=Presenters=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="2" | From
! rowspan="2" | To ! rowspan="2" | Tenure ! rowspan="2" | Timeslot ! colspan="3" | Presenter(s) |
|---|
| Host
! Co-host ! Cover |
| {{start date|2010|3|10|df=y}}
| 28 March 2012 | {{ayd|2010|3|10|2012|3|28}} | Wednesdays, 15:30 – 16:00 | rowspan="2" |Greg James | Chris Moyles |
| 4 April 2012
| {{end date|2012|12|19|df=y}} | {{ayd|2012|4|4|2012|12|19}} | Wednesdays, 16:00 – 16:30 | {{N/a|None}} |
| {{start date|2013|1|9|df=y}}
| {{end date|2015|1|14|df=y}} | {{ayd|2013|1|9|2015|1|14}} | rowspan="2" |Wednesdays, 15:30 – 16:00 | rowspan="2" |Scott Mills |
| {{start date|2015|1|21|df=y}}
| {{end date|2015|7|1|df=y}} | {{ayd|2015|1|21|2015|7|1}} |
| {{start date|2015|7|13|df=y}}
| {{end date|2018|7|16|df=y}} | {{ayd|2015|7|13|2018|7|16}} | rowspan="3" |Mondays, 17:30 – 17:45 | rowspan="3" {{N/a|None}} | Dev |
| {{start date|2018|7|23|df=y}}
| 27 August 2018 | {{ayd|2018|7|23|2018|8|27}} | {{N/a|None}} |
| {{start date|2018|9|3|df=y}}
| 8 July 2019 | {{ayd|2018|9|3|2019|7|8}} |
''The Official Chart: First Look''
{{Infobox radio show
| show_name = The Official Chart: First Look
| caption =
| other_names = The Official Chart: First Look on Radio 1
| format = Top 20
| runtime = 60 minutes
| start_time = 18:00
| end_time = 19:00
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| home_station = BBC Radio 1
| presenter = Lauren Layfield
Shanequa Paris
| record_location = Media City, Salford (Manchester)
| first_aired = {{start date|2019|7|14|df=y}}
| last_aired = present
| audio_format = Stereo
}}
The Official Chart: First Look is the show which provides the update on how the chart looks over the weekend. The show is on air during the historic Sunday slot but for one hour only, which is 6:00 - 7:00 pm, and hosted by Lauren Layfield and Shanequa Paris.
It replaces The Official Chart Update that was on air every Monday at 5:30 - 5:45 pm previously. It gives the fastest aggregated picture of the new week's biggest hits for the UK, reflecting popularity across the full spectrum of the Official Charts' sales and streams panel - including all of the UK's key download and streaming services, including Spotify, Amazon, Apple Music, iTunes, Deezer, Google and many more.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-charts-first-look-to-offer-early-glance-at-the-official-singles-chart-every-sunday__26823/|title=Official Charts: First Look to offer early glance at singles chart|website=officialcharts.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-26}}
The show was launched on 14 July 2019. It focuses on the Top 20 biggest tracks from data collected on Friday and Saturday.
In September 2020, Vick Hope joined as the co-host of the show with Katie Thistleton. She replaced Cel Spellman as he focused on other acting and broadcasting work, even though the station says he will remain as a part of the Radio 1 family.{{Cite news|date=2020-08-13|title=Vick Hope to join BBC Radio 1|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-53765360|access-date=2020-09-16}}
= Presenters =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |
| rowspan="2" | From
! rowspan="2" | To ! rowspan="2" | Tenure ! rowspan="2" | Timeslot ! colspan="2" | Presenter(s) | |
|---|---|
| Main
! Cover | |
| {{start date|2019|7|14|df=y}}
| 30 August 2020 | {{ayd|2019|7|14|2020|8|30}} | rowspan="3" |Sundays, 18:00 – 19:00 | |
| {{start date|2020|9|6|df=y}}
| {{end date|2024|3|31|df=y}} | {{ayd|2020|9|6|2024|3|31}} | Lauren Layfield Shanequa Paris | |
| {{start date|2024|4|7|df=y}}
| Current | {{ayd|2024|4|7 |
| Lauren Layfield
Shanequa Paris
|
|}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{BBC programme}}
{{BBC Radio 1}}
{{UK Music Charts}}
{{Italic title}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Official Chart}}
Category:BBC Radio 1 programmes
Category:British music radio programmes
Category:1967 radio programme debuts
Category:1960s British radio programmes
Category:1970s British radio programmes
Category:1980s British radio programmes
Category:1990s British radio programmes
Category:2000s British radio programmes