James Masterton's Chart Update

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.

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 of the closest chart race in modern day history.

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.

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.

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?

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 about songs from an unexpected quarter.

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.

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.

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.

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.