The Chart Show on Radio 1 will move to a new Friday slot from July. The BBC confirmed the change after it was announced that Friday would be the global release day for the record industry. The chart on Radio 1 is compiled by the Official Charts Company.
The chart, which now includes streaming, will air during the Greg James show on BBC Radio 1. It will air between 4pm and 6pm, meaning the remaining hour will play host to the usual Friday Dance Anthems.
Radio 1 and 1Xtra controller Ben Cooper says that the change to Fridays will benefit the audience of Radio 1 as the station aims to remain "relevant to young music fans." He added that we live in an "instant digital world" so the change of release date to Fridays means the Chart Show has to move also.
The Official Chart began life on the station way back in 1967 as Pick of the Pops, later becoming the Radio 1 Chart Show. It has had a number of presenters over the years, most notably Tony Blackburn, Alan Freeman, Mark Goodier and current host Clara Amfo. Clara was recently announced to be joining the daytime schedule, taking over from Fearne Cotton in the 10am slot in May.
New host Greg James said: "It's a privilege to host it and even better that I don't have to work Sundays." He also said that Radio 1 had been "under scrutiny" in recent years to keep up with the internet in a changing digital world. "The Chart must feel like it's providing news, not just confirmation of something the listeners already knew."
The singles chart in the UK incorporates sales and streams made online from a seven day period.
From July, this will be from 00.01 on Friday through to midnight on Thursday and compiled by the Official Charts Company overnight ready to be revealed on the Friday afternoon.
It is not yet known what will fill the 4pm - 7pm slot on Sundays, but the BBC said in the press release that an announcement would be made in the coming weeks. The changes in the coming months mark a significant change to the schedules, following Fearne Cotton's decision to leave after 10 years.
