The Official Chart
 | |
| Other names | The Official Chart |
|---|---|
| Genre | Music, chat |
| Running time | 105 minutes (4:00 pm–5:45 pm) |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | BBC Radio 1 |
| Hosted by | Greg James |
| Produced by | Sarah |
| Recording studio | Broadcasting House, London |
| Air dates | since 1 October 1967 |
| Audio format | Stereophonic sound |
| Website | http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart |
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.
In March 2015 it was announced that The Official Chart would move from its traditional Sunday slot to Friday afternoons from July 2015.[1] This was to coincide with the global change in new music release dates from Sundays to Fridays.[2] The current chart airs between 16:00-17:45.
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.[3] The move is due to an international agreement by the music industry to release all new albums and singles on Fridays. The new chart now only plays 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.
The Sunday night slot has been replaced with a new show hosted by Cel Spellman.[4]
Presenters
| From | To | Presenter(s) | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October 1967 | 24 September 1972 | Alan Freeman | 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 | 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 | Reduced to just the Top 20, running from 18:00–19:00. | |
| 2 April 1978 | 5 November 1978 | Simon Bates | |
| 12 November 1978 | 26 August 1979 | Extended to a two-hour Top 40 from 17:00–19:00. | |
| 2 September 1979 | 3 January 1982 | Tony Blackburn | |
| 10 January 1982 | 1 January 1984 | Tommy Vance | |
| 8 January 1984 | 23 September 1984 | Simon Bates | |
| 30 September 1984 | 23 March 1986 | Richard Skinner | |
| 30 March 1986 | 23 September 1990 | Bruno Brookes | |
| 30 September 1990 | 30 December 1990 | Mark Goodier | |
| 6 January 1991 | 1 March 1992 | Extended to a two-and-a-half-hour Top 40 from 16:30–19:00. | |
| 8 March 1992 | Tommy Vance | ||
| 15 March 1992 | 16 April 1995 | Bruno Brookes | Extended to a three-hour Top 40 from 16:00–19:00. |
| 23 April 1995 | 17 November 2002 | Mark Goodier | |
| 24 November 2002 | 2 February 2003 | Cover presenters | |
| 9 February 2003 | 30 January 2005 | Wes Butters | |
| 6 February 2005 | 27 February 2005 | Cover presenters | |
| 6 March 2005 | 23 September 2007 | JK and Joel | |
| 30 September 2007 | JK and Joel Bruno Brookes Mark Goodier | ||
| 7 October 2007 | Scott Mills | ||
| 14 October 2007 | 20 September 2009 | Fearne Cotton Reggie Yates | |
| 27 September 2009 | 23 December 2012 | Reggie Yates | Music videos for the top 10 songs were streamed online from 26 February 2012 to 31 August 2014. |
| 30 December 2012 | 6 January 2013 | Cover presenter Scott Mills | |
| 13 January 2013 | 18 January 2015 | Jameela Jamil | Audio streaming became included in the chart as of 6 July 2014. |
| 25 January 2015 | 5 July 2015 | Clara Amfo | |
| 10 July 2015 | present | Greg James | The chart moved to Friday afternoons airing from 16:00–17:45. This features the Top 25 in full, while 40–26 are mentioned briefly. |
The Official Chart Update
 | |
| Genre | Music |
|---|---|
| Running time | 15 minutes (5:30 pm–5:45 pm) |
| Country |
United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | BBC Radio 1 |
| Hosted by | Greg James |
| Recording studio | Broadcasting House, London |
| Air dates | since 10 March 2010 |
| Audio format | Stereophonic sound |
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.[5] 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.[5]
| From | To | Presenter(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 March 2010 | 19 December 2012 | Greg James |
| 9 January 2013 | 14 January 2015 | Scott Mills and Jameela Jamil |
| 21 January 2015 | 1 July 2015 | Scott Mills and Clara Amfo |
| 13 July 2015 | Present | Greg James |
References
- ↑ Savage, Mark. "Radio 1 chart show moving to Friday afternoons". BBC News. Retrieved 2015-07-05.
- ↑ "FAQs | New Music Fridays". newmusicfridays.com. Retrieved 2015-07-05.
- ↑ "Radio 1 chart show moving to Friday afternoons - BBC News". BBC News Online. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
- ↑ "Radio 1 boss Ben Cooper on new Official Chart Show plans - BBC Newsbeat". BBC Newsbeat. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
- 1 2 Talbot, Martin (4 July 2015). "Everything you need to know about the new Official Chart". Official Charts.
