YouTube clicks could influence New Zealand's music charts from next week

What you watch on YouTube could soon determine what tops the music charts.

From Friday in the UK, streams of recorded music videos online will count towards a song's position in the UK's top hits. But if the change hits New Zealand, even the most unlikely tunes could be back on the charts.

For instance, almost 50 years after its release, The Beatles' hit Let It Be is back on the top 40 charts around the world. The comeback follows Paul McCartney's appearance on Carpool Karaoke with James Corden last week. 

Since McCartney's appearance, there's been a surge in online streaming of the song, which already influences what hits the charts.

The new move in the UK will include all video streams and downloads in the UK - as long as they are an official video accessed via YouTube, Apple, Tidal or Spotify.

Damian Vaughan, chief executive of New Zealand licensing organisation Recorded Music thinks it's a "great idea". 

"What we listen to online definitely has a big influence," he told Newshub.  

But Mr Vaughan concedes the charts wouldn't always reflect the best music, because some people watch YouTube for the video rather than the song.

Videos that don't include an official recording won't count, so no matter how many views a clip like New Zealand's recent botched national anthem at the weekend gets, it won't make the charts.

YouTube clicks could influence New Zealand's music charts as early as next week.

Newshub.