Other names The Official Chart Country United Kingdom Home station BBC Radio 1 | Genre Music, chat Language(s) English | |
Running time 105 minutes (4:00 pm–5:45 pm) | ||
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, and is hosted by Greg James.
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In March 2015 it was announced that The Official Chart would move from its traditional Sunday slot to Friday afternoons from July 2015. This was to coincide with the global change in new music release dates from Sundays to Fridays. The current 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 before Simon Bates started the show in its current form as a countdown of the top 40 singles. 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 exception of 31 August 1997, when it was cancelled due to the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. The show has also been 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 2pm to 4pm.
Recent format
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 began to stream 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. The move is 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. It also means that Clara Amfo has become the shortest-serving permanent host of the show. As of 19 February 2017, the top 40 are played, however only the new entries and highest climbers, but the top 10 is still played in full.
The Sunday night slot has been replaced with a new show hosted by Cel Spellman.
The Official Chart Update
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. It originally aired on BBC Radio 1 on Wednesday afternoons, with a television version aired on MTV Music and MTV Hits. The Radio 1 show is currently hosted by Greg James. Previous hosts include Scott Mills, Clara Amfo and Jameela Jamil. James previously hosted the show from 2010-2012.
When the Official Chart moved to Fridays in July 2015, The Official Chart Update moved from Wednesdays to Mondays at 17:30.