Let me correct myself. In my last e-mail, I stated that "When You Believe" will not be eligible to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 or the Hot R&B Singles charts, when, beginning with the December 5, 1998 issue (the first issue of the new year), it can actually chart due to the change in chart methodology. Because single sales figures have dropped and radio listenership has increased, the overall points for each single on the chart will be determined from 80% radio points and 20% sales data points.

Currently, the radio panel consists of 363 mainstream top 40, rhythmic top 40, adult top 40, adult contemporary, and modern rock stations electronically monitored 24/7 by Broadcast Data Systems. The panel will be expanded to include mainstream R&B, adult R&B, mainstream rock, triple A rock, and country stations. Sales data will still be tabulated from the point of sale tracking system, also monitored 24/7 by SoundScan.

Personally, I'm a bit concerned for R&B-type singles, since many songs that have gone to No. 1 have done so based on sales. For example, the current No. 1 pop hit is the platinum "The First Night" by Monica. Based on airplay alone, this single (now in its 4th week at the top) may not have hit No. 1. Additionally, because hip hop singles have limited airplay, they may not bode well on the revised chart, especially with the addition of mainstream and triple A rock stations.

For instance, "Lookin' At Me" by Mase featuring Puff Daddy recently spent 10 big weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Rap Singles chart, while cracking the top ten on the Hot 100. However, if sales points are minimized, perhaps the single would not even enter the top 20.

Furthermore, the Hot R&B Singles chart will also be revised in the new chart year. It is currently based on airplay data from 104 R&B stations and a subset of point of sale data from SoundScan. Alterations to the compilation methodology have not yet been determined.

So how does this affect Whitney's chart performance? Well, because her fan base is quite wide and varied, her singles should still chart highly (No. 1!!!) on the new Hot 100. However, because the new release will be very R&B and hip hop based, there should be some cause for apprehension due to the addition of rock and country stations. Let's hope that the input from mainstream and adult R&B stations will balance out the overall point data.