
Nielsen SoundScan is an information system that tracks sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada. Sales data is collected weekly from over 14,000 retail, mass merchant and non-traditional (on-line stores, venues, etc.) outlets. Nielsen SoundScan is the sales source for the Billboard music charts. SoundScan can only track sales on CDs that have a UPC bar code. Disc Makers clients can order a UPC bar code when they make CDs with us... a $750 value! Click here for UPC bar code FAQs.
Once you order your bar code number from Disc Makers you must register it with SoundScan to ensure you are properly credited for all sales. While your project is in production, we will send you an email to complete the registration process. Simply fill out some additional information about your project, such as the Release Date and Genre, and your information will be submitted directly to Nielsen SoundScan for processing.
If you did not purchase your bar code from us, you can register your bar code directly through Nielsen SoundScan at: titlereg.soundscan.com/soundscantitlereg.
Once a title is submitted to SoundScan, it can take up to 10-15 business days for it to be entered into their system. Once entered, the title has the ability to be tracked by SoundScan.
Note: In order to find out if a title is already registered with SoundScan, you may contact Client Services by email at [email protected] (If emailed please include the full UPC code), or call SoundScan at (800) 864-1224.
For further questions visit the SoundScan website.
Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems is the world’s leading provider of airplay tracking for the entertainment industry. It’s free to submit your music to BDS for tracking. You do not need a bar code to register with BDS. Radio formats monitored include Adult Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Album Rock, Classic Rock, Contemporary Christian, Country, Light AC, Modern Rock, Oldies, R&B (including Rap and Hip Hop), Spanish (including Latin Contemporary, Regional Mexican and Tropical Salsa), and Top 40. Additionally, Nielsen BDS monitors 7 U.S. Music Video Channels and 9 Canadian Video Channels. Nielsen BDS information is utilized exclusively by Billboard, Airplay Monitor and Canadian Music Network magazines in determining their radio airplay music charts.
Fill out and include a Media Information Form. The form is in the PDF format. If you don’t have Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®, click here to get it for free, then download the form.
Click here to go to the Transactional/Non Client Media Information Form.
Click here for more information on submitting your music to BDS visit their website.