Billboard Halts Vinyl Sales Reports After Controversial 33% Decline Data Sparks Industry Dispute
Billboard has removed vinyl sales figures from its website after reporting a significant 33.3% year-over-year decline, raising questions about the accuracy of vinyl sales reporting in 2024.
The removal came after conflicting claims from key industry players:
- The Vinyl Alliance demanded corrections
- Luminate called Billboard's figures (based on their own data) 'inaccurate' and 'unauthorized'
- Independent record stores protested Luminate's new counting methodology
Billboard vinyl album sales chart
Key developments in the controversy:
- Luminate changed its vinyl sales counting methodology in 2024
- Independent retailers launched their own vinyl chart in response
- Luminate later claimed sales were up 6% after excluding indie store data
- Other organizations (RIAA, BPI, IFPI) report continued growth in vinyl shipments
The situation highlights a significant disconnect between different industry tracking methods. Billboard's parent company, Penske Media Corporation (which also owns Luminate), has not commented on the removal of vinyl sales data from Billboard's site.
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