Harry Stiles’ record company has been accused of using “dirty tricks” to win his single in a battle with Eurovision hero Sam Ryder.
Industry sources say Sony has been determined to put the track of former One Direction As It Was star first as his new album Harry’s House came out this weekend.
To help boost sales, the company released a limited-edition CD with a manual number on May 13, the first day of chart week, which runs Friday through Friday.
Just as Stiles ’website began distributing $ 4.40 limited-edition records – slightly more than a standard CD – the excitement from Ryder’s Spaceman track and his prospects for winning Eurovision the next day grew.
Critics suggest that Sony has calculated that because physical CD sales are gaining more points to reach a № 1 spot than buying streaming, they can secure victory by promoting hand-numbered CDs.
Whatever the strategy, Sony succeeded on Friday when the 28-year-old Stiles finished seventh week No. 1 – with Ryder at No. 2.
Sources close to Sony said last night that hand-numbered CDs were available for pre-order until May 13, and insisted it had always been part of Stiles ’carefully managed company.
No rules were broken, and the insider scoffed at the view that it was a deliberate strategy to shatter Ryder’s hopes № 1.
But another industry source said: “Sam was so good and actually overtook Harry in the middle of the week, but the chatter is that Sony decided to make sure Harry was home and dry by releasing CDs with a manual number.”
CDs are considered more than streams, so their numbers have made it more appealing to its fans.
“Sam was at a disadvantage because people didn’t start looking for him properly until Saturday, the day after the start of chart week.”
Stiles has remained at the top of the singles charts since his first album in five years was released to fanfare in New York, and The Sunday Times Rich List revealed that he is the richest musician in the UK under the age of 30. , with a fortune of $ 177 million – up $ 44 million last year.
The 32-year-old Ryder, who was hailed for second place in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest – the highest result in the UK since 1997 – is downplaying his rivalry with Stiles.
He said: “I feel what Harry stands for as a fan and I listen to his music. He stands for the same thing that Eurovision celebrates – freedom of expression, inclusiveness. “
https://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-gossip/harry-styles-record-company-accused-of-using-dirty-tricks-to-ensure-album-success–c-6891609
