Everything you need to plan a Billboard chart-eligible Smart Media Album release in the US or Canada. Luminate applies the same rules and the same charts to both markets.
Smart Media Albums are chart-eligible in the US and Canada from the tracking week of 2 to 8 October 2026. Pre-orders can open from 25 September 2026.
Eligibility runs through an approved vendor model. Only products from a manufacturer Billboard has approved are chart-eligible, and each approved vendor must stick to the exact format they were approved for. ZATAP is an approved vendor, and the seven formats below are ZATAP's currently approved lineup.
Billboard has described the current rules as an onboarding phase. Some requirements exist to control chart gaming during rollout and are expected to relax over time.
Billboard and Luminate remain the source of truth on these rules. When in doubt, confirm directly with them (see Contacts below).