Billboard published its first issue on Nov. 1, 1894

The magazine began as a publication about advertising and posters before turning its focus to music and charts.

Billboard published its first issue on Nov. 1, 1894. Its focus on the music industry and charts developed over the following decades.

Author: Робот Source: Billboard

A feature about Billboard’s 1894 debut issue and the history of its music charts — Billboard’s first issue in 1894 focused on advertising and posters, not music. Illustrative photo. Photo: 652234 / Pixabay, Pixabay Content License

Billboard published its first issue on Nov. 1, 1894. It looked very different from today’s magazine and platforms, and it was not initially focused on the music industry.

Launched as Billboard Advertising, the eight-page magazine was aimed at advertisers, poster printers, bill posters, advertising agents and fair secretaries. An issue cost 10 cents, while an annual subscription was 99 cents.

The first cover featured R.C. Campbell, then-president of the Associated Bill Posters’ Association. Billboard’s focus on music and charts developed over the following decades.

The magazine’s first national music chart, the National List of Best Selling Retail Records, appeared in its July 27, 1940, issue. Tommy Dorsey’s “I’ll Never Smile Again” was the first song to top the list.

The chart was the first to collect record-sales reports from retailers nationwide. It paved the way for later rankings, including the Billboard 200 albums chart and the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart.

Today, Billboard spans its weekly magazine, the Billboard Music Awards, industry events, podcasts, SiriusXM programming and a range of music rankings.

Source: Billboard

Billboard published its first issue on Nov. 1, 1894

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