BBC Radio 1 chart show to be shown live for first time

Jessie J stays at number one this week with her single Domino

The Official Chart Show on Radio 1 will be shown live online from next month.

The final hour will be filmed for the first time on Sunday 26 February and streamed on the station's website.

It will be the first time the top 10 has been shown live on any platform since the BBC ended its weekly Top of the Pops show in 2006.

The Official Chart Show is hosted by Reggie Yates and is broadcast every Sunday between 4-7pm.

"This is the Chart Show for the 21st century," said Radio 1 controller, Ben Cooper. "I'm very excited about this innovation.

"Young people will be logging on to listen, watch and take part in the show.

"I hope that this will be to our young listeners what listening to the chart and waiting to record your favourite pop songs was for another generation."

'Antics'

As well as watching Reggie Yates live in the studio, listeners will be able to see the music videos of those artists in the top 10, previous Radio 1 Live Lounge performances and exclusive interviews with artists that are featured in the chart.

In addition, listeners will be able to interact visually with the show via Facebook, Twitter and text.

Reggie Yates said: "It's so exciting that chart show listeners can now become chart show viewers.

"For the first time fans will be able to see all the antics and interviews that take place each week on the show in the run up to announcing the number one single as well as being able to watch the music videos from the top 10 artists."

Top of the Pops ended in 2006 after 42 years on air.

In the 1970s the show attracted audiences of 15 million, but by 2002 just three million people were tuning in.

It was relaunched in 2003 with Andi Peters but failed to attract a big enough audience against competition from 24-hour satellite music channels.

Christmas specials have continued, however, hosted by Reggie Yates and fellow Radio 1 DJ Fearne Cotton.

Martin Talbot, Managing Director of the Official Charts Company, added: "It feels completely appropriate that Radio 1 should choose to reinvent the concept of the radio show in the year that the Official Singles Chart marks its 60th anniversary.

"The Official Singles Chart has always reflected changing musical tastes and the evolving ways music fans have bought and enjoyed their music.

"And Radio 1's innovation will change the way music and chart fans engage with the weekly Official Chart Show."