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Grande tops first streaming chart

US singer Ariana Grande has made British chart history by becoming the first number one single based on sales and streaming.

It is the first time songs played on streaming services like Spotify, Deezer, Napster, O2 Tracks, Xbox Music and Sony's Music Unlimited have counted towards the chart rankings alongside physical and digital sales, the Official Charts Company said.

The 21-year-old singer/songwriter's hit Problem featuring Iggy Azalea now tops the charts with a combined "chart sales" figure of 113,000.

With 100 streams counting as a single purchase, the number of plays from streaming sites made up 6% of her success in topping the charts as there were 712,000 audio streams, the Official Charts Company said. Grande also pulled in 106,000 sales.

Of her debut number one, Grande said: "I'm so happy. Yay."

On average, the streaming contribution to this week's top 40 singles sits at just over 20%.

Grande's manager Scooter Braun, the man also responsible for steering the careers of international pop superstars Justin Bieber and Psy, said: "Landing her first number one on the official singles chart is an incredible achievement and another benchmark in the continued global success of Problem.

"Thanks to the loyal UK fans whose incredible support has made this possible. This is your number one too."

Martin Talbot, chief executive of the Official Charts Company, said: "This is a big week for the official singles chart - and we are delighted that it is such a big week for them too."

Former X Factor star Ella Henderson is at number two with her debut track Ghost. The single has been streamed over a million times in the last seven days.

Following his performance at last weekend's Glastonbury festival, newcomer George Ezra climbs two places to number three with Budapest.

Ed Sheeran is at number four with Sing. This was the most streamed track of the week having notched up 1.32 million plays.

All 12 tracks from the standard version of his chart-topping album X appear in today's top 100 official chart thanks to streaming.

He has also managed to hold on to the number one spot on the official album chart, overhauling 5 Seconds Of Summer who were out in front a few days ago. Ezra's album Wanted On Voyage is at number three.

It is now the UK's fastest selling album of 2014, selling 182,000 copies during its opening week. It sold an additional 93,000 in the last seven days, bringing its tally to 275,000.

Only Coldplay's album Ghost Stories, followed by Paolo Nutini's Caustic Love and Ellie Goulding's Halcyon, have sold more.

Sheeran told OfficialCharts.com: "Just heard the news that my album is at number one again this week. And to hear that every track from it is doing so well on streaming is great too. Thank-you to everyone that's been enjoying it, however you're doing so."

Source: music.uk.msn.com
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