Christmas signs off with one final surge — and it does not go quietly.

Mariah Carey extends her historic run at #1 as “All I Want for Christmas Is You” locks in another record-setting week, pushing her career total past 100 weeks at the summit and stretching the song’s reign to 21 weeks (with 22 looking very probable). Holiday classics dominate the charts for the last time this season, as Last Christmas, Underneath the Tree, and Jingle Bell Rock all close out their strongest runs yet — with Wham!’s Last Christmas claiming its best year ever, including a No. 2 peak on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on Billboard Global 200.

With the Christmas curtain closing, we turn to what comes next. Billboard’s new chart rules are about to take effect, YouTube is preparing to exit the charts entirely, and the way hits are measured is shifting in real time — raising serious questions about accuracy, longevity, and who benefits in the new era.

We also check in on early 2026 contenders: Tyla’s “CHANEL” surges globally, The Fate of Ophelia and Golden remain locked in a tight race, Ella Langley, Olivia Dean and Pooh Shiesty eyeing new peaks, and viral revivals from Djo and She & Him show how TikTok is still capable of rewriting a song’s fate overnight.

One last Christmas push — and then everything changes. 🎄📈

Christmas tightens its grip on the charts as records fall, rules shift, and the road into 2026 opens up.

Mariah Carey breaks the all-time Hot 100 record with a 20th week at #1 for “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” pushing her career total to 99 weeks at the summit with more still in play. Holiday classics dominate the Hot 100 and Billboard 200, and competition remains fiercer than ever as multiple songs fight for position at the very top.

We also break down Billboard’s upcoming rule changes, increasing the weight of streaming across both charts — and what that means for hit longevity, radio-driven songs, album bombs, and legacy acts heading into the new year. Plus, we check in on new releases from 21 Savage and Pooh Shiesty, early momentum around Tyla’s “CHANEL” as a 2026 hit contender, and the latest RIAA milestones for Mariah Carey and Morgan Wallen.

Records broken. Rules rewritten. And a chart landscape that feels wide open as 2026 approaches. 🎄📈

"The Fate of Ophelia" steps aside this week as Christmas officially takes over — and the race for the holiday crown is fiercer than ever. Mariah hits her 19th week at #1 with “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” tying the all-time Hot 100 record, while Wham! finally pushes “Last Christmas” to a brand-new peak at #2 and Brenda Lee surges right behind them.

Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande are both making strategic playlist moves, and we break down which holiday classics still have a shot at fresh Hot 100 peaks as the season heats up.

We also get into Billboard’s year-end lists, why 2024 tracks still dominate 2025’s rankings, the early January race between Golden and The Fate of Ophelia, the growing buzz around Tyla's “CHANEL,” plus what to expect from 21 Savage’s new album this Friday.

A stacked, very seasonal week — press play and unwrap the charts with us. 🎄📈

Spotify Wrapped is here, and so are the year-end lists — so we look at how 2025 really shook out across Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Bad Bunny tops Spotify’s global ranking, Drake leads Apple Music, and we compare which songs and albums each platform pushes to the front.

On the Hot 100, “The Fate of Ophelia” is still holding #1 while the Christmas pack tightens: “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Last Christmas,” “Underneath the Tree” and “Santa Tell Me” all gaining and latter three eyeing new peaks, plus the records Mariah could break if things fall her way.

We also check in on Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” RAYE’s “Where Is My Husband!”, and what might realistically open January 2026 at #1 once the holiday songs clear out. Plus: Charlie Puth and the upcoming Super Bowl performance

Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” extends its run at No. 1 for a seventh week — but with Christmas tracks returning earlier than ever, the countdown to a seasonal takeover has officially begun. Mariah Carey is already back in the Top 10 with “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” Brenda Lee and WHAM! are gaining fast, and December is shaping up to be a three-way chart battle.

We also dive into the AI controversy around HAVEN’s “I Run,” which earned enough points to chart but was blocked by Billboard — and what this means for artists, labels, charts, and fans going forward. Plus: Olivia Dean’s multi-song surge, Ella Langley’s breakout moment, and the ongoing dominance of older catalog tracks on Spotify.

Taylor Swift’s The Fate of Ophelia holds firm at No. 1 as the season shifts. Michael Jackson is back in the Top 10 with “Thriller,” while Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” re-enters early at #31 — a signal that the holiday wave is arriving ahead of schedule.

We break down the early Christmas surge, the confusing Grammy nominations, and Sombr’s push for the Top 10 on both the Hot 100 and Billboard 200. Plus: Olivia Dean’s continued rise, Billie Eilish’s "Wildflower" finally leaving the Hot 100.

Taylor Swift and HUNTR/X go head-to-head again this week as “Golden” benefits from Halloween momentum, but “The Fate of Ophelia” still holds the crown for now — with Taylor’s possible drops possibly securing another week at No.1.

Meanwhile, rap tries to come back on charts with Megan Thee Stallion as R&B steps into the space — with Kehlani scoring her breakthrough Top 10 with “Folded,” Leon Thomas inside the Top 10, and Olivia Dean rising into the Top 5.

We also cover the arrival of new AI artist Xania Monet on Billboard’s R&B and Gospel charts, radio’s continued outsized influence on Top 15 stability, looming Grammy nominations, Rosalía and Katy Perry returning, and the early Christmas takeover creeping in right after Halloween.

“The Fate of Ophelia” still holds at #1, but “Golden” has suddenly closed the gap with a major airplay surge. Predictions have them neck-and-neck — and with Halloween week ahead, this is shaping up to be one of the most suspenseful chart races of the year.

We break down how this happened so quickly, what might come next, and how seasonal returns could disrupt everything. We also look at Olivia Dean and Leon Thomas earning their first Top 10 hits, Olivia’s rising momentum in the U.S., Kehlani’s Folded pushing toward the Top 10, and what the current R&B surge says about shifting listener tastes.

Plus, the holiday season is to begin with Mariah Carey officially calling it soon, TikTok-first promo strategies continue to reshape the industry, and KATSEYE pays a thoughtful homage to Mariah’s iconic videos after that VMA moment.

Episode 30 — and our first on video. The chart games are officially underway.

Billboard just hit refresh — and it’s already changing the game.

In this week’s episode, we dive into the new recurrent rule reshaping the Hot 100, the songs finally making their exits, and the fresh faces stepping into the spotlight. Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” still reigns supreme, but the “Golden” showdown we’ve been waiting for hasn’t arrived… yet.

We talk Olivia Dean and Leon Thomas finally breaking into the Top 10 and Kehlani’s steady climb with Folded. Plus, the inevitable rise of Dracula by Tame Impala, Sabrina Carpenter’s When Did You Get Hot, and an upcoming Halloween boost led by Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, and more.

And yes — we unpack sombr's concert controversy, and why sometimes, the best clapback is simply a great performance.

Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” continues its historic run, holding the No.1 spot and extending The Life of a Showgirl’s dominance for a second week — but the countdown to a “Golden” showdown is officially on. With K-Pop Demon Hunters ramping up their promo ahead of Halloween and aiming for a November takeover, the next Hot 100 battle could be one of the year’s biggest.

We break down the sustainability of Taylor’s numbers, how long this era can keep the top spot locked, and why “Golden” is poised to become her first real challenger. Plus: Olivia Dean’s infectious rise and Grammy buzz, the global impact of RAYE and the new wave of U.K. talent, and our tribute to D’Angelo — the king of neo-soul whose influence continues to shape the genre.

Taylor Swift rewrites the record books: The Life of a Showgirl storms past 4M+ first-week units (and sets a new pure-sales mark) while “The Fate of Ophelia” logs the biggest streaming week ever. We break down the sales math, platform records, and the looming Hot 100 sweep (12-for-12)— plus how Taylor stands up for her work vibrantly despite the variants strategy and the criticism around her album.

Elsewhere, sombr shines in New York; HUNTR/X step further into the spotlight off “Golden”; Olivia Dean and Leon Thomas get squeezed out of likely top-10s in the Swift-quake; and the push behind Tate McRae’s “Tit for Tat” raises eyebrows. Plus: quick hits on JISOO & ZAYN’s team-up, where Khalid’s new era sits for 2010s stars in 2025, early Grammy buzz (Nov 7), a Bad Bunny Super Bowl surge, and our Week-2 outlook—what Showgirl tracks hold, which slide, and who sneaks back into the top tier.

Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl has turned release week into a global spectacle — breaking streaming and sales records across every platform and setting sights on Adele’s all-time debut. But behind the glitter and the variants, we ask: is this pure dominance or a perfectly engineered record-breaking machine?

This week, Can and Murat don’t entirely see eye to eye — diving into the balance between artistry and strategy, authenticity and ambition. Murat reports live from New York, sharing his experiences from record stores and Showgirl screenings, as the era unfolds in real time.

We also celebrate Olivia Dean’s historic UK chart double, Mariah Carey’s Here For It All topping the physical sales chart, Doja Cat’s underperforming but critically acclaimed Vie, and the anticipation around Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl takeover.

The divas are here — and they’re running the charts. 🎤 Cardi B storms back with Am I the Drama? debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200, Doja Cat experiments with an ‘80s-inspired vibe, and Mariah Carey makes a triumphant return with Here For It All. Olivia Dean drops a new album as Man I Need conquers streaming, while Kehlani sparks a career resurgence with two singles climbing fast.

Plus: K-Pop Demon Hunters extend Golden’s reign as the longest-running soundtrack #1 in over a decade, Tate McRae scores a strong new debut, and Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl looms — ready to shake everything up.

Cardi B storms back with Am I the Drama?, a savvy rollout mixing new tracks with past hits that’s powering her toward a #1 debut on the Billboard 200 and a flood of Hot 100 entries. K-Pop Demon Hunters extend their dominance as both Golden and the soundtrack album reign at the top, while Olivia Dean and sombr keep climbing with fresh peaks.

We also touch on Ed Sheeran’s Play bowing modestly in the U.S. despite a U.K. #1 — and look ahead to a massive release week, with Doja Cat, Mariah, Olivia Dean, and Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl set to light up theaters and shake the charts.

K-Pop Demon Hunters make history as the soundtrack rises to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 while “Golden” is to hold strong on the Hot 100, scoring a rare double crown. We look at how long Golden can reign before Taylor Swift arrives, and what this moment means for the soundtrack’s legacy.

We also dive into Sabrina Carpenter’s second week as “Tears” slips behind “Manchild,” and why timing matters so much for a No. 1 hit. Plus sombr’s steady climb with “12 to 12,” Olivia Dean’s breakthrough, and Ed Sheeran’s new album — decent numbers but far from his past highs, raising the question: is he moving into his legacy era while still filling stadiums? And of course, new drops from Drake, Twenty One Pilots, and an upcoming release from Cardi B.

Justin Bieber reloads with Swag II and enters a three-way fight for the Billboard 200 crown against Sabrina Carpenter and K-Pop Demon Hunters. We look at Sabrina’s No. 1 debut and why, despite strong reviews, it feels less impactful than her breakout year. We also dig into the “changing” VMAs and what this shift says about the state of music videos.

Plus Taylor Swift’s Target midnight rollout, Olivia Dean’s rise, fresh moves from Gunna and Burna Boy, and the Song of the Summer debate: was Ordinary really it, or should Golden have worn the crown?

Sabrina Carpenter storms in with Man’s Best Friend, breaking records and securing her biggest week yet — but the glow comes with cracks. Her single Tears opens at No. 1 before quickly slipping, and the album itself is met with mixed reviews. At the same time, K-Pop Demon Hunters extend their golden run with four simultaneous Top 10 hits, while Morgan Wallen looks to hold on through a crowded fall release season. We also dive into the ripple effects of Taylor Swift’s engagement news and upcoming album hype, and the rise of new voices like Mariah the Scientist, Laufey, Olivia Dean, and sombr, each finding their own corner of streaming success.

Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl has already crossed a million preorders, with new colors and covers fueling demand ahead of its October 3 release. We look at the frenzy around her variants and what it means for another record-breaking rollout.

On the Hot 100, Alex Warren’s Ordinary logs a 10th week at #1, but Golden looks ready to retake the crown as K-Pop Demon Hunters score their fourth Top 10 hit, joining an elite soundtrack club.

And it’s not just chart titans — Laufey, Sombr, and Mariah the Scientist inject fresh energy with new albums, Doja Cat returns with Jealous Type, and Sabrina Carpenter lines up Man’s Best Friend. Plus: Morgan Wallen’s Grammy no-show and Mariah Carey’s upcoming MTV Video Vanguard honor at the 2025 VMAs.

Taylor Swift breaks the internet with The Life of a Showgirl — a 12-track announcement already shaking up the chart climate ahead of its October 3 release — and we dig into what records might fall, how Golden continues its rise against Ordinary as Warren pushes to reclaim the No. 1 spot, why Shaboozey’s Good News is moving toward the top 10 on radio power alone, and how Cardi B’s Imaginary Playerz is struggling to match the momentum of Outside, plus what a crowded release slate in August through October means for the months to come.

This week, we dive into Golden’s continued rise as it secures another week of big gains in streaming, sales, and airplay, solidifying one of the year’s most remarkable chart runs. We look at the numbers behind its climb, what it means for the Hot 100 race, and its place among 2025’s standout hits.

Plus, Chappell Roan is about to score her highest Hot 100 peak yet, the UK vs. US chart gap widens, Shaboozey inches closer to an all-time record, the VMAs deliver a fresh batch of nominations and surprises, and Taylor Swift once again makes headlines with new album release speculation.