> March 20 launch date postponed

> BPI concerned that independent repertoire would not be fully represented

> New date set for April 17

> Series of initiatives to help indies get music online

British record companies trade association the BPI has delayed the inclusion of download formats in the Official Singles Chart because it is concerned that independent repertoire is not adequately represented online.

The BPI fears that an original date for the inclusion of downloads of March 20 2005 would have overly disadvantaged independent labels.

The Official UK Charts are run by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC) - a 50/50 joint venture between the BPI and the British Association of Record Dealers (BARD). At an OCC board meeting on Wednesday (February 23) BPI members urged that the plan to include download formats in the Official UK Singles Chart from March 20 be delayed.

The OCC board agreed. Download formats will now be included in the Official UK Singles Chart for the first time in the chart published on April 17 (ie the sales week beginning April 10).

BPI chairman Peter Jamieson said, "I am very pleased we have secured this delay on behalf of independents. We have to try and establish a realistic ‘level playing field’ of opportunity. It's all about market access.  We are working with everyone involved to try and prioritise potential hit singles and ensure they are available for download.

"The inclusion of download formats in the Official UK Singles Chart is the most significant development in the charts for 20 years. But for a multitude of reasons the current chart representation of independent repertoire at the major download outlets is poor.

"We have consulted widely with our independent members and we want to give both sides more time to work on this problem."

To ensure the message gets to as many independents as possible, Jamieson has asked OCC Charts Director Omar Maskatiya to present plans for the new combined chart to representatives of specialist independent trade association Aim next week.

"We are committed to consulting widely on this project," said Jamieson. "And it is important that the OCC policy and timetable is understood by Aim."

Meanwhile, the BPI is continuing its initiatives to help independents get their music online. The second BPI seminar on Getting Your Music Online, featuring representatives from OCC, research agency TNS, digital consultancy Frukt and chart metadata collector CatCo takes place this Monday February 28 at the BPI offices.

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NOTES

The BPI represents over 320 record labels accounting for around 90% of recorded music sales in the UK.

Planning for the inclusion of download formats in the singles chart has been underway for over a year.

First step was the successful launch of an Official Download Chart on September 1 2004

Technical trials have been underway for months on combining data on download sales into the singles chart.