NOW That's What I Call Music! Vol. 50 Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart

NOW That's What I Call Music! Vol. 50, the latest numbered volume from the world's best-selling, multi-artist album series, NOW That's What I Call Music!, debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart today with first week sales totaling 153,276. Released May 6, NOW 50 is available in a CD and digital standard edition and an expanded 2CD and digital deluxe edition. NOW 50's chart-topping debut follows NOW 49's No. 1 bow in February, bringing the U.S. series' tally for No. 1 charting volumes to a whopping 18.

"NOW That's What I Call Music! has long been one of music's most trusted and popular brands," says Bruce Resnikoff, President and CEO of Universal Music Enterprises. "We are proud of NOW's many accomplishments and continued success as a powerful partner for so many of music's most accomplished artists, as well as for promising up and comers."

"Each NOW That's What I Call Music! volume presents today's biggest hits in a way that's unique to the brand and always dependable," says Richard Story, President, Commercial Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment. "Fans of the NOW series know that when they buy the latest volume, they will have a great overview of current smash hits in one convenient collection."

NOW 50's standard and deluxe editions both feature 16 current major hits from today's biggest music stars, including Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry w/ Juicy J, Lorde, Avicii, Miley Cyrus, Bruno Mars, John Legend, Aloe Blacc, Bastille, Naughty Boy w/ Sam Smith, Jason Derulo (featuring 2 Chainz), The Chainsmokers, DJ Snake & Lil Jon, Kid Ink w/ Chris Brown, Passenger, and American Authors, plus five free up-and-coming "NOW What's Next" New Music Preview tracks.

The "NOW What's Next" bonus track program featured on each numeric NOW release continues to preview hot new artists with tomorrow's biggest hits. NOW 50 showcases up and coming tracks from Mary Lambert, Wrabel, Foxes, Conway, and Pia Mia.

NOW 50's expanded deluxe edition adds 14 fan-voted megahits that have been featured on previous NOW volumes, by Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, P!nk w/ Nate Ruess, Backstreet Boys, Black Eyed Peas, Nelly, Carly Rae Jepsen, Train, Gotye featuring Kimbra, and Plain White T's.

NOW That's What I Call Music! debuted in the U.S. in 1998, following 15 years of multi-platinum international success. The series has generated sales exceeding 250 million albums worldwide, including more than 92 million in the U.S. alone. Second only to The Beatles in chart history, 18 of NOW's numbered editions have hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, including the previous volume, NOW 49, released in February.

All 50 volumes released to date in NOW's numeric U.S. series have reached Billboard's Top 10, and NOW Music has also enjoyed Top 10 chart success with five of its non-numbered editions, including NOW That's What I Call Christmas! (Vols. 1 and 3), NOW That's What I Call Music! #1's, and NOW That's What I Call Country! (Vols. 1 and 2).

The NOW That's What I Call Music! series is a joint venture from Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. NOW and NOW That's What I Call Music! are registered trademarks of Universal Music Group and its affiliates.

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