Billboard

Billboard is the definitive source of music industry news, charts, and analysis. Founded on November 1, 1894, in Cincinnati, Ohio, by William H. Donaldson and James H. Hennegan as an advertising trade publication, it evolved into the central record of commercial music over more than a century. The outlet launched the Billboard Hot 100 on August 4, 1958, creating the standard by which singles success is measured in the United States. The Billboard 200 tracks album chart performance. The Global 200 and Global Excl. US charts, introduced in the 2010s, reflect music's increasingly international consumption patterns. Charts are updated weekly on Tuesdays and factor in streaming, digital sales, and radio airplay through data provided by Luminate. Billboard's impact on K-pop has grown substantially since the 2010s. BTS broke Korean-act records across multiple Billboard charts beginning in 2018. Acts like BLACKPINK, TWICE, and ATEEZ followed with charting albums and singles. Stray Kids became the first act in Billboard 200 history to debut at No. 1 with their first eight consecutive charted releases, a streak that extended through December 2025 with their album DO IT. In 2025, CORTIS debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 with Color Outside the Lines, one of the highest entries ever for a K-pop act's debut album. Publisher Penske Media Corporation owns Billboard alongside Rolling Stone, Variety, and other entertainment properties. Billboard also produces major industry events including the Billboard Music Awards and Women in Music.