Photographer: Piotr Swat
Billboard’s Global Charts will now include music consumption data from China. Luminate struck a deal with Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME) to feed streaming and sales figures into Billboard’s weekly rankings. This change fills a long-standing gap and gives the charts a clearer view of global listening.
Data Sources & Rollout
Luminate will pull metrics from QQ Music, Kugou, Kuwo, and JOOX via the TME Chart. Subscribers to Luminate’s CONNECT platform will see the new data in the coming weeks. Moreover, Luminate’s CEO Rob Jonas called the partnership “a pivotal moment for the global music industry.” TC Pan of TME described the deal as “a data-driven effort to establish a unified global content ecosystem.” Ryan Liang at TME said the agreement strengthens the TME Chart’s role as a bridge to global audiences.
TME brings real scale to the table. As of Q2 2025, its platforms reported 553 million monthly active users and 124.4 million paying subscribers. Consequently, listening habits in China can now move songs on the Global Charts. That matters for artists and labels. Therefore, managers and A&R teams should include Chinese performance in their strategies.
Coverage & Benefits
Previously, Billboard used the UNI Chart for some Chinese insight. However, UNI offered only limited visibility. Now, full streaming and sales data will feed directly into Billboard’s flagship Global Charts. This integration improves fairness and reduces blind spots. Additionally, it gives Chinese creators clearer routes to international recognition. At the same time, international acts gain better signals about where they resonate in China.
The practical effects will show up in promotion and playlisting. Songs that chart well in China may gain more placement on global playlists. Consequently, marketing teams can target campaigns with better precision. Moreover, data-driven decisions will improve sync, touring, and release planning across regions.
In short, Billboard and Luminate have made the global charts more inclusive. The move promises richer insights and fairer rankings. Ultimately, fans and industry professionals will see charts that reflect more voices and more tastes from around the world.
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