Eric Garland

Last week, the Billboard charts met their first real challenger. The Ultimate Chart is a list that ranks artists and singles not just by sales and airplay, but also by their status on streaming services and social networks. Eric Garland, chief executive of the Ultimate Chart’s parent company BigChampagne, joins us to explain the chart’s genesis. Then: in a Soundcheck Smackdown, critics debate whether any pop chart can quantify success in the digital age. Guests include Maura Johnston, music writer and blogger, and Bill Wyman, editor of the blog Hitsville and former arts editor of NPR and Salon.com.

In just five years, the marketplace of music consumers has changed dramatically. Today, we unveil the results of our latest Soundcheck poll. Find out how much some of our listeners spend on music every month, where they spend their cash, and whether they spend more or less compared to five ...