How does merch count as album sales?

In a lengthy statement, the music company explained that all albums sold with merchandise or concert tickets must be promoted as an add-on for those purchases in order to be counted on its charts. In addition, physical albums or singles sold as a bundle with digital downloads will no longer be counted as digital sales.

What are bundles in the music industry?

A music bundle is exactly as it sounds – a collection of albums, EPs, and/or singles. The simplest, and most obvious way to put together a bundle is by packaging up all the albums you have and compile them into a collection.

Do albums count as merch?

Now, Billboard — in an acknowledgement that those measures have fallen short of the intended goal of accurately reflecting consumer intent — has decided to eliminate the practice of counting albums bundled with merchandise and concert tickets on its album and song charts altogether.

Do bundles count for album sales?

The new rules state that all albums bundled with concert tickets or other merchandise must be promoted as an add-on in order to be counted on the official charts. Additionally, the sale of physical records or singles bundled with digital downloads will no longer count as digital sales.

Do bundles count towards album sales?

Under new rules, Billboard will eliminate the counting of album bundles on its album and song charts entirely. Furthermore, sales of physical albums or singles bundled with a digital download will no longer count towards a digital sale, only counted toward the chart once a physical copy is dispatched.

What is a merch bundle?

Bundling is the practice of selling merchandise along with a download of an album (typically for free) in order to boost sales numbers.

Does Drake use bundles?

Drake Accounting Pro is included with the Power Bundle. If you’ve already purchased Drake Tax Unlimited, you may purchase Drake Accounting Pro for $395. If you’ve already purchased Drake Tax PPR, the cost for Drake Accounting Pro is $495.

How album sales are calculated?

The Album Award counts album sales, song sales and on-demand audio and/or video song streams at the formula of 1,500 on-demand audio and/or video song streams = 10 track sales = 1 album sale. May combine sale of all configurations. May combine sale of all configurations.

What is an album bundle?

Album bundles constitute the sale of an album alongside merchandise and concert tickets, as well as instant digital sales attached to purchases of physical albums received at a later date, all done in order to boost sales.

Does merch count for billboard?

When did merch bundles stop counting?

Any additional signed merchandise/album bundles offered beyond the album’s first day of release between those dates will not be counted for the charts or release-to-date sales. New rules governing the bundling of physical albums or singles with immediate digital downloads will also go into effect on Aug. 7.