ARIA Streaming Chart To Launch 9 December

ARIA's much-touted streaming music chart will officially launch Sunday 9 December, ARIA CEO Dan Rosen confirmed yesterday.

Following in the footsteps of the UK market, the service will aggregate listens across the streaming services in Australia. Announced at the inaugural ARIA Week's ARIA Masterclass conference, it was not confirmed if all the streaming services currently active in Australia – which include Spotify, Rdio, Deezer, JB Hi-Fi Now, Mog, Rara and other – would be included in the chart.

Rosen also confirmed that the streaming chart's 'second phase' will include its incorporation into the singles chart, which is primarily based on digital downloads in the current climate.

Another thing music stakeholders will be anticipating – particularly those based in New South Wales – is the draft of the state's Government's Creative Industries Action Plan. In opening the ARIA Masterclass yesterday with a keynote address on behalf of Destination NSW, Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner said that the draft plan, which is being chaired by Dan Rosen, is on track to be released early 2013.

Stoner said the plan would help New South Wales retain its position as a “Major creative industries hub in the Asia Pacific”. He added, “When the other states have had their mining booms, we'll be there with our creative economy.”