Федерация итальянской музыкальной индустрии (FIMI): история и чарты

Italian music industry organisation

The Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) or Federation of the Italian Music Industry is an umbrella organization that keeps track of virtually all aspects of the music recording industry in Italy. It was established in 1992, when major corporate labels left the previously existing Associazione dei Fonografici Italiani (AFI). Its main purpose is to protect the interests of the Italian record industry. In July 2011, Enzo Mazza was confirmed as FIMI chairman.

In September 1994, the chairman of FIMI, Caccia Dominioni, announced the Federation's intention to establish an album chart to replace the previously existing charts, which were considered unreliable due to their compiling methods. The Italian Music Industry Federation compiled its first album chart in March 1995. Issued on 7 March 1995, it was based on sales between 23 February 1995 and 1 March 1995. This period coincided with the first week of sales for the albums released by the 45th Sanremo Music Festival contestants, the most important music event in Italy. The first number one album was Bruce Springsteen's Greatest Hits. In 1995, the chart was based on data digitally gathered by 130 sellers. The number of sellers was later increased and, as of 2011, the chart is based on the number of copies sold between Monday to Sunday by a subset of 3,400 retailers. Starting from 14 October 2011, the FIMI Albums Chart also includes digital sales.

In March 1995, alongside the FIMI Album Chart, the Italian Music Industry Federation also began the FIMI Compilations Chart, listing the best selling albums by various artists. These albums are not included in the FIMI Album Chart. The first number one single was Depeche Mode's "Barrel of a Gun". Compiled by Nielsen, As of July 2011, it lists the 20 best selling music DVDs in Italy, and is compiled by ACNielsen.

On 10 April 2006, FIMI published the first chart listing the best selling digital singles in Italy. Compiled by Nielsen SoundScan, the chart was based on data provided by 10 digital stores. Due to the decrease of CD singles sales in Italy, on 1 January 2008 the Top Digital Download became the Italian official singles chart, replacing the chart based on physical sales.

A certification system has existed in Italy since the mid 1970s. During that period, albums had to sell 500,000 units to qualify for a Silver status, while for Gold, the requirement was 1 million units. Singles, similarly, were required to sell 1 million units to reach the Gold level in the mid 1970s. Certifications were handled by AFI with the help of an auditing company. By 1987, the levels were dropped to 100,000 copies sold for gold status and 200,000 copies sold for platinum status.