Mapping China: Music - Authoritative Media & Institutions: Charts & Awards

Charts

There is no easy way of assessing the popularity or market potential of artists, especially in China. In general, it is hard to come by any reliable data in China. Music charts and awards are rigged, and official institutions such as the Music Copyright Society of China (MCSC) are of no help.

To find out how popular you are and compare your own success and potential in comparison to international and local competitors, the best strategy is to make comparisons across platforms, while bearing in mind that reported hits, revenues and other number are likely inflated.

In order of reliability:

• The number of followers on social media sites such as Sina Weibo and Wechat. Note that due to intense competition, platforms habitually exaggerate their users / customers, with ‘zombie accounts’ posting automatic replies to boost posts, and so on.
• The number of hits on music streaming websites. Exaggerated as above.
• Awards received.
• The position in charts that streaming websites, radio stations and other media compile weekly. These charts are notoriously corrupted, with positions for sale. However, taken together they still yield information, if only about who is willing to spend on them.
• Reported performance fee and yearly revenue. This is manipulated for exposure, but can still give an indication.
• The price of concert tickets, the speed with which tickets are being sold out, and the number of paid viewer of online concerts. Again, an unreliable but additional indicator.

Awards

Awards are important in China. The PRC is a relatively paternalistic country, and recognition by authoritative institutions means something, even if selection procedures are not transparent and open to manipulation.

There are several yearly awards in Greater China, these are the most influential ones:

• Top 10 Golden Songs Award. Since 1978. In Hong Kong by the radio station RTHK.
• Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Songs. Since 1984. In Hong Kong by TV station TVB.
• Golden Melody Awards. Since 1990. In Taiwan by the Ministry of Culture.
• Top Chinese Music Chart Awards音乐风云榜. Since 2001. In the PRC by Enlight Media.

Although online voting is usually part of the selection process, ultimately in all of these awards the final selection is made by a jury consisting of industry insiders. Selection procedures in Hong Kong (Top 10 Golden Songs, Jade Solid Gold) and Taiwan (Golden Melody Awards) are more transparent than those in the PRC (Top Chinese Music Chart Awards). The latter fights constant rumors that its awards are negotiated out with major stake holders in the music industry and basically for sale (reportedly for tens of thousands RMB). Although Hong Kong and Taiwan competitions are deemed more credible, they are also biased towards their own markets (and artists).

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