BBC Radio 1 is to start airing a Wednesday afternoon chart update, for the first time since the late 60's.
Starting on March 10th, the half hour slot at 3.30pm will feature an update on the official chart, using data issued the same day by the Official Charts Company.
The weekly rundown will be presented by Greg James, as the new slot falls within his regular afternoon show. It’s hoped the slot may help to boost sales and revive some of the excitement around the chart show, as listeners will be able to hear how their favourite act is getting on in the race for number one.
Radio 1’s Head of Music, George Ergatoudis, told [link=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/feb/01/radio-1-midweek-charts]The Guardian[/link] that the chart will be “the first time [fans will] really be able to see the difference they make in the weekly chart battle”.
Martin Talbot, Managing Director of The Official Charts Company said it's a “reliable insight into how the race for number one is shaping up" and that "It will bring the chart to music fans across the country throughout the week”.
The announcement comes almost a year after The Big Top 40 Show became commercial radio’s Sunday afternoon alternative. Broadcast on over 140 stations, the Global Radio produced show claims to be the first chart you control, with the top ten based entirely on the iTunes download chart.