While we enjoy our turkey dinner this Sunday, pop artists
will be hoping for that coveted UK Christmas Number 1, and with the
introduction of downloads into the official chart it looks as though they could
play a key role in the Christmas charts.
According to the British Phonographic Industry weekly
downloads could reach an all time high this week, topping the 1million mark,
whereas an average would be 650,000. Downloads now count for 70% of single
sales in the UK,
up from 25% this time last year. A huge achievement and more indication that singles as we know them are on their last leg.
With downloading more
popular among those with credit cards, it means that this years Christmas
contest will be an even more hard fought battle, with new pop star Shayne Ward pinning
his hopes on the younger audience to help them reach the top spot, it could be
the older generation that help Nizlopi hold onto their number 1. BPI Spokesman Matt
Philips added "Although you can"t put a download under the tree, seven out
of 10 singles are sold as downloads and they are going to play a significant
part in deciding this year"s Christmas number one."