James Masterton's Chart Update
Latest Episodes
December 2018: The Xmas No.1 Race
Midway through what is turning out to be the tightest Xmas No.1 battle for some years, James talks through the runners and riders. And just why this turned out to be the last thing anyone expected.
October 2018: Calvin Harris' Perfect Ten
As Calvin Harris writes himself into the table of all-time chart greats with his tenth Number One single, this podcast examines his chart history, deals with the "missing four" singles that he also claims as Number One hits, and recounts the 1990 tale ...
June 2018: Rule Tweaks, Jess, George and Bandits
If it is summer time it must mean a set of rule changes in the Official UK Singles chart. James explains all and recaps the last few months of Number One singles.
February 2018 : Drake and Barnum. Locked in at Number One
In a shocking twist this month's big stories are the same as last month's. Both Drake and The Greatest Showman hold firm at the top of the singles and albums charts respectively. James explains just why this has happened.
January 2018: Drake, Eminem and PT Barnum
We didn't have to wait too long for the new year to become fascinating. Drake mumbles his way to another Number One single, replacing Eminem a week after he'd also done something interesting. But just what is the fascination suddenly with movie musicals?
December 2017 : Christmas Number One Contenders
As the race to become this year's Christmas Number One gets fully underway, the prospects are this could be just as an exciting ride as last year. James explains the tracks involved, what their prospects are, and where there is reason to be nervous abo...
November 2017: 25 years of chart history
James marks 25 years of pop charts pontificating with a look back at the archive and what past trends teach us about the present day.
September 2017: Bye bye million sellers. Hello Official Chart Millionaires
The old idea of a million 'selling' single is dead. Because nothing sells in that number anymore. So the Official Charts Company have a new way of defining success, and we'll explore it in detail in this podcast.
June 2017: Rule tweaks and changes
So calm down everyone, they are about to unbreak the singles chart. In this podcast, James explains the rule tweaks and how they aim to make things better.
April 2017: Harry Styles is solo and top
As yet another member of One Direction tops the UK charts, James looks at the history of the group, the epic nature of his single Sign Of The Times and talks to Bev, an online pop fan about just how this uniquely modern version of fandom actually works.