Midweeks

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Midweeks, are lists of sales figures for music albums and singles in the United Kingdom during the period between the weekly chart publication on Sundays. They are officially known as "sales flashes" but more frequently referred to as midweeks as they are released during the middle of week (Tuesday-Friday).

Midweeks are meant to only be available to music industry insiders who pay the Official UK Charts Company a fee for the data. The figures help management and record companies gauge how well their artists are selling in advance of the official announcement of the charts on Sunday evening. The first figures of the week are released around 10.45 on Tuesday morning based on sales from the day before (as well as Sunday). This allows a sales strategy to be modified during the week of a single's release based on its performance, e.g. more advertising or media appearances for the artist and hopefully help boost the final chart position at the end of the week.

However, precisely because of their role in predicting the final chart, midweeks are highly sought after by music enthusiasts and fans of artists who are releasing albums or singles. Those who receive the figures are prohibited from re-distributing them but they are always leaked and several websites, blogs and forums publish them. The OCC occasionally threaten legal action, but generally turn a blind eye so long as actual sales figures are avoided. Many showbiz columns in tabloid newspapers on Wednesdays also announce who is likely to be number one on Sunday.

The final published chart is not always well-predicted by midweeks. For example, some artists often sell well during the early part of the week because loyal fans purchase the new releases right when they hit the shops. But as the week progresses, casual music buyers become a stronger force and those who sell primarily to their established fanbase see their sales tail off.