Ultratop
Ultratop is the organization that compiles and publishes the official record charts in Belgium. It is a non-profit organization created as a joint venture between the Belgian Entertainment Association (BEA), which represents the interests of the music industry in Belgium, and several major media companies.
Ultratop charts exist for both the Flanders (Dutch-speaking) region and the Wallonia (French-speaking) region of Belgium, each with its own distinct charts. These charts track the sales, streams, and airplay of music singles and albums across various genres.
The most prominent Ultratop charts include:
- Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders): A weekly chart ranking the top 50 singles in Flanders.
- Ultratop 50 Singles (Wallonia): A weekly chart ranking the top 50 singles in Wallonia.
- Ultratop 200 Albums (Flanders): A weekly chart ranking the top 200 albums in Flanders.
- Ultratop 200 Albums (Wallonia): A weekly chart ranking the top 200 albums in Wallonia.
Ultratop uses a weighted formula to calculate chart positions, taking into account physical and digital sales, streaming data from various platforms, and radio airplay. The data is collected from a wide range of sources, ensuring comprehensive and accurate representation of music consumption in Belgium.
The Ultratop charts are considered the official benchmark for music popularity in Belgium, and they are widely followed by the music industry, media outlets, and music fans. Chart performance can significantly impact an artist's success and visibility within the Belgian market. Ultratop also provides year-end charts, highlighting the best-performing songs and albums of the year.