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Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana
Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana
Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana
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Key Information

Music of Italy
General topics
Genres
Specific forms
Gregorian chant
Media and performance
Music awards
Music charts
Music festivals
Music media
Music media in Italy
Nationalistic and patriotic songs
National anthem
"Il Canto degli Italiani"
Other
"La Leggenda del Piave"
Regional music
Local forms
Related areas

The Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) or the Federation of the Italian Music Industry[1] 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).[2][3] During the following years, most of the remaining Italian record labels left AFI to join the new organisation.[3] As of 2011, FIMI represents 2,500 companies operating in the music business.[4]

FIMI is a member of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and of the Italian employers' federation, Confindustria.[4] Its main purpose is to protect the interests of the Italian record industry.[4]

Starting in March 1995, the Italian Music Industry Federation began providing the Italian official albums chart. In January 1997, FIMI also became the provider of the Italian official singles chart. Due to the decrease of CD singles sales in Italy, FIMI replaced its physical singles chart with a digital downloads chart—based on legal Internet and mobile downloads—on 1 January 2008.[5]

In July 2011, Enzo Mazza was confirmed as FIMI chairman.[6]

Charts

[edit]

FIMI Albums Chart

[edit]

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.[7]

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.[8] 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.[8]

Between 1995 and 2009, the FIMI Album Chart was based on data provided by Nielsen. From January 2010, the FIMI Album Chart's positions have been derived from GfK Retail and Technology Italia sales data. The chairman of the Italian Music Industry Federation, Enzo Mazza, explained this decision declaring that "the long-time partnership with Nielsen, started in 1995, was satisfying, but in a moment marked by a deep transformation and innovation of the market, we thought that the service offered by Nielsen was no more adequate".[9]

In 1995, the chart was based on data digitally gathered by 130 sellers.[10] 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.[11] Starting from 14 October 2011, the FIMI Albums Chart also includes digital sales.[12]

FIMI Compilations Chart

[edit]

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.[10] The first number-one was Sanremo '95, released by RTI Music and featuring some of the songs performed during the 45th Sanremo Music Festival.[8]

FIMI Singles Chart

[edit]

In January 1997, the Italian Music Industry Federation also started an official singles chart.[3][13] The first number-one single was Depeche Mode's "Barrel of a Gun".[14] Compiled by Nielsen,[3] the chart listed the best-selling physical singles in Italy, but on 1 January 2008 it was replaced by the Top Digital Download, listing the best-selling digital singles.[5] The last number one on the physical FIMI Singles Chart was Elvis Presley's song "Baby Let's Play House" remixed by Spankox.[15]

FIMI DVD Chart

[edit]

The Italian DVD Chart was established by the Italian Music Industry Federation in October 2003. The first Italian DVD Chart listed only the first ten positions, and was headed by Sting's Inside the Songs of Sacred.[16] As of July 2011, it lists the 20 best-selling music DVDs in Italy, and is compiled by ACNielsen.[17]

Top Digital Download

[edit]

On 10 April 2006, FIMI published the first chart listing the best-selling digital singles in Italy.[18] Compiled by Nielsen SoundScan, the chart was based on data provided by 10 digital stores.[18] The first number-one single was "Sei nell'anima" by Gianna Nannini.[19]

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.[5][15]

Sales certification

[edit]

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.[20] Singles, similarly, were required to sell 1 million units to reach the Gold level in the mid-1970s.[20] Sales requirements for music recordings in Italy for domestic and international repertoire are the same levels. In December 1982, reported certification levels in Italy were 250,000 copies sold for gold status and 500,000 copies sold for platinum status.[21] Certifications were handled by AFI with the help of an auditing company.[22] By 1987, the levels were dropped to 100,000 copies sold for gold status and 200,000 copies sold for platinum status.[23]

Albums

[edit]

In the table below are the certification levels, when the program of Gold and Platinum is operated under FIMI.

Period Gold
certification 		Platinum
certification 		Diamond
certification
Until 31 December 2004[24][25][26] 50,000 100,000 500,000
From 1 January 2005[25] to 31 December 2007[26] 40,000 80,000 400,000
From 1 January 2008[26] to late 2009 35,000 70,000 350,000
From late 2009[27][28] to 31 December 2011[29] 30,000 60,000 300,000
From 1 January 2012[30] 30,000 60,000 600,000
From 1 January 2014[31] 25,000 50,000 500,000

From July 2017, album certifications include streaming.[32]

Singles

[edit]

Italy has had a Gold certification program for singles during the mid-1970s, with the level for Gold set at 1 million units.[20] Even though, the requirement of 1 million units for Gold was quite high for the Italian market, this program was carried on to the 1980s.[33] The singles certification program was abandoned when FIMI took over the operations, and it wasn't until 1999 that Italy re-launched its Gold and Platinum program for singles.[34]

In the table below are the certification levels, when the program of Gold and Platinum is operated under FIMI.

Period Gold
certification 		Platinum
certification 		Diamond
certification
From March 1999 to 31 December 2004[34][35] 25,000 50,000 N/A
From 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2009[25][26][36] 10,000 20,000 N/A
From 1 January 2010[28] 15,000 30,000 N/A
From 1 January 2014[citation needed] 15,000 30,000 300,000
From 1 February 2015[31] 25,000 50,000 500,000
From 1 January 2020[37] 35,000 70,000 700,000
From 1 January 2022[38] 50,000 100,000 1,000,000
From 1 January 2025[39] 100,000 200,000 2,000,000

Since the 2010 update, FIMI applies their recent/newer certification levels to all digital singles regardless of release dates.[40] Since 2014, single certifications include downloads and streaming.[41]

Music DVDs

[edit]

In the table below are the certification levels, when the program of Gold and Platinum is operated under FIMI.

Period Gold
certification 		Platinum
certification
From 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008[25] 15,000 30,000

List of highest certified albums by FIMI (post-2009)

[edit]
This section is about the highest certified albums by FIMI (post-2009). For the highest-selling albums in Italy, see List of best-selling albums in Italy.

The following is a list of the highest certified albums by the Italian Music Industry Federation (FIMI), began when certification system became available since 2009. The listed certifications below can be verified through FIMI's certification database.[42] For certification levels refer to the tables above.

Seven-times Platinum

[edit]
Artist Album Country Release date
(certification date) 		Certification level
(based on certification date)
Ed Sheeran ÷ United Kingdom 3 March 2017
(Week 43, 2021) 		350,000 units
Ligabue Mondovisione Italy 26 November 2013
(Week 18, 2015) 		350,000 units
Mina Celentano Le migliori Italy 11 November 2016
(Week 12, 2018) 		350,000 units

Eight-times Platinum

[edit]
Artist Album Country Release date
(certification date) 		Certification level
(based on certification date)
Adele 21 United Kingdom 25 January 2011
(Week 52, 2013) 		480,000 units
Tiziano Ferro L'amore è una cosa semplice Italy 28 November 2011
(Week 52, 2013) 		480,000 units
Tiziano Ferro TZN – The Best of Tiziano Ferro Italy 25 November 2014
(Week 15, 2017) 		400,000 units

Diamond

[edit]

The albums released from 2005 until the end of 2011 were qualified for Diamond award upon reaching five-times Platinum. FIMI, however, changed this rule in January 2012, and began to base the Diamond award on ten-times Platinum.

Artist Album Country Release date
(certification date) 		Certification level
(based on certification date)
Jovanotti Ora Italy 24 January 2011
(Week 46, 2011) 		300,000 units
Ligabue Arrivederci, mostro! Italy 11 May 2010
(Week 42, 2010) 		300,000 units
Modà Viva i romantici Italy 16 February 2011
(Week 32, 2011) 		300,000 units
Renato Zero Zeronovetour presente Italy 20 March 2009
(Week 19, 2010) 		300,000 units
Vasco Rossi Tracks 2 Italy 27 November 2009
(Week 40, 2010) 		300,000 units
Vasco Rossi Vivere o niente Italy 29 March 2011
(Week 19, 2011) 		300,000 units
Lazza Sirio Italy 8 April 2022
(Week 51, 2024) 		500,000 units

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana

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The Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) is the national trade association representing the interests of the Italian recording industry, including major record labels, distributors, and related enterprises. Established in 1992, FIMI serves as the Italian affiliate of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the global body for the recording sector, and is a founding member of Confindustria Cultura Italia, the Italian confederation for cultural industries. With over 2,500 members—encompassing Italian producers and international brands operating in the country—FIMI advocates for the protection and promotion of recorded music through institutional , legal support, and enforcement initiatives, such as those managed via its anti-piracy unit, the Federazione contro la Pirateria Musicale e Multimediale (FPM). Among its core activities, FIMI compiles and publishes official music charts in collaboration with Italia, awards certifications for gold and platinum sales (e.g., for albums, singles, and videos), and conducts to track trends in physical sales, streaming, and digital consumption, regularly reporting on the sector's growth, such as the 8.5% overall market expansion in 2024 and 9.7% in the first half of 2025. Additionally, FIMI organizes events like the annual "Top of the Music" awards, facilitates sector agreements and negotiations, and hosts conferences and seminars to foster industry development, contributing to the global promotion of Italian music while addressing challenges like digital piracy and .

History

Establishment and Early Years

The Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) was established in 1992 in , , as a new for the recording industry. It emerged when major international record labels, including multinational corporations, decided to withdraw from the existing Associazione dei Fonografici Italiani (AFI) to form an organization more aligned with their interests. From its inception, FIMI's primary role was to safeguard and promote the interests of the Italian music industry, particularly those of major record labels and distributors operating in the phonographic sector. Headquartered at Via Leone XIII 14 in , the federation focused on , legal protection, and industry representation to address challenges such as enforcement and . FIMI quickly grew to represent a broad spectrum of the industry, encompassing both national and international entities. By , it had expanded to include approximately 2,500 music companies involved in production, distribution, and related activities. As a founding member of Confindustria Cultura Italia—the representing Italy's cultural and —and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), FIMI established itself as a key player in global music from its early years. In 1995, FIMI expanded its activities by launching the official Italian music charts, marking an early step toward standardizing market data and visibility for the industry.

Key Developments in Charts and Certifications

The Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI), established in 1992, marked a significant milestone in March 1995 by launching its first official album chart, compiled based on physical sales data provided by Nielsen SoundScan. This initiative aimed to standardize and provide credible sales tracking for the Italian music market, replacing fragmented industry estimates. The chart's introduction was supported by a with Nielsen valued at approximately L800 million annually, reflecting FIMI's commitment to reliable data aggregation from retailers. In early 1997, FIMI expanded its charting services with the introduction of an official singles chart, announced during preparations for the Salone della Musica trade fair in late . This physical sales-based chart, also initially sourced from Nielsen, addressed the need for a unified national ranking amid declining reliance on unofficial tallies. By January 1997, it became the primary reference for singles performance in . Meanwhile, FIMI assumed responsibility for music certifications from the preceding Associazione Fonografici Italiani (AFI) around its founding, though singles certifications were paused until their resumption in 1999 to align with market realities. In 2009, FIMI introduced multi-platinum levels and partnered with for certification tracking starting that January, enhancing accuracy for both physical and emerging digital formats. In October 2005, FIMI and AFI signed a agreement to collaborate, ending years of following the 1992 split. This cooperation deepened in 2019 when the two organizations partnered with to jointly manage music certifications. The shift toward digital consumption prompted further evolution, with FIMI introducing the Top Digital Download chart in April 2006 to capture download performance. Due to plummeting CD single sales, it replaced the physical singles chart as the official ranking on January 1, 2008, marking Italy's adaptation to online distribution. Album charts followed suit in October 2011 by fully incorporating digital sales data, broadening the metric beyond physical units. Data provision transitioned from Nielsen, which handled charts until 2009, to Italia beginning in 2010 for comprehensive sales monitoring. Streaming integration represented the next phase, with FIMI incorporating streams into singles certifications from 2014 to reflect audio and video plays alongside downloads. Album certifications extended this inclusion in 2017, using equivalent unit calculations to account for the growing dominance of platforms like and in Italy's market. Continuing its adaptation to , in 2024 FIMI integrated ad-supported and video streaming into its charts using a new economic weighting model. As of January 2025, single certification thresholds were updated to 100,000 units for and 200,000 for to account for ongoing market expansion. These changes ensured certifications remained relevant as physical and digital converged with on-demand listening.

Organizational Structure

Governance and Leadership

The Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) operates under a board-led governance model, where the serves as the primary decision-making body responsible for managing the association's activities, approving budgets, and overseeing member admissions and operations. This structure, formalized in its statutes and consistent since at least 2011, includes the election of key officers by the Assembly of members, with the board comprising representatives from major record labels and distributors to ensure industry-wide input. The board meets with a of two-fifths of its members and makes decisions by vote, emphasizing in strategic directions. At the helm of operations is the Consigliere Delegato, a role equivalent to CEO, currently held by Enzo Mazza as of October 2025, who has led FIMI in this capacity since transitioning from his earlier position as President around 2013. Mazza, with a background in and extensive experience in music industry advocacy and , was confirmed as a key leader in 2011 when the governance framework was solidified, and he now exercises broad powers including legal representation and day-to-day management within approved budgets. The board itself includes prominent figures such as Rosi (President & CEO, Entertainment Italy), Pico Cibelli (President, Warner Music Italy), Alessandro Massara (President, Universal Music Italy), and Dino Stewart (Managing Director, BMG Music Italy) as of October 2025, reflecting the federation's ties to leading global music entities. FIMI maintains operational headquarters in , , at Via Leone XIII, 14, facilitating its coordination of national activities. As a founding member of Confindustria Cultura Italia, FIMI participates in national policy committees to advance cultural industry interests, while its affiliation with the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) enables involvement in forums addressing international music market standards and challenges.

Membership and Partnerships

The Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) represents a broad membership base consisting of over 2,500 major and independent record labels and distributors operating in the Italian as of 2025, including prominent global brands such as , Sony Music Entertainment, and . This composition encompasses entities engaged in various aspects of the recording sector, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the market from production to dissemination. Membership eligibility is open to companies actively involved in the recording industry, particularly those focused on music production, distribution, and associated activities that contribute to the sector's growth and operations. Aspiring members must align with FIMI's objectives of promoting the Italian music market and protecting industry interests, with applications typically reviewed to verify relevance to the recording ecosystem. FIMI maintains key partnerships essential to its data compilation and operational functions, including a longstanding collaboration with GfK Italia for chart monitoring and sales data analysis since January 2010, which replaced the prior arrangement with Nielsen SoundScan from 1995 to 2009. Additionally, FIMI collaborates with the Federazione contro la Pirateria Musicale e Multimediale (FPM), an organization it co-founded in 1996, to support enforcement efforts against music piracy and protect copyrights. These alliances enable FIMI to deliver reliable market insights and uphold industry standards. On the international front, FIMI is an active member of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), facilitating alignment with global recording standards, advocacy, and best practices across borders. This affiliation allows FIMI to contribute to worldwide initiatives while adapting international guidelines to the Italian context, overseen by its governance structures.

Role and Activities

Advocacy and Anti-Piracy Efforts

The Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) actively monitors national and international legislative procedures on a daily basis, producing reports and proposals to influence copyright laws and industry regulations in and the . Through its advocacy efforts, FIMI interfaces directly with Italian government institutions and EU representatives to convey the music sector's positions on key issues such as protection and digital market regulations. As a member of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), FIMI extends its lobbying influence globally, engaging with organizations like the (WIPO) and the (WTO) to advocate for fair competition and music rights. A cornerstone of FIMI's anti-piracy initiatives is its founding role in the Federazione contro la Pirateria Musicale e Multimediale (FPM), established in 1996 in collaboration with IFPI to combat music and . FPM operates by monitoring markets, identifying instances of infringement, and reporting them to police, judicial authorities, and officials, while also providing technical collaboration to support enforcement actions against counterfeiting and illegal distribution. In 2025, FPM was designated as a Trusted Flagger by AGCOM, facilitating expedited identification and removal of infringing content . Associated companies receive assistance through FPM for enforcement, including legal actions to inhibit access to infringing websites via IP and ; for example, these measures contributed to an 11% reduction in torrent platform access in , countering a 15% global increase. FIMI and FPM also run communication campaigns to educate distributors and consumers on the risks of , promoting legal alternatives like streaming platforms and stores, with reports handled via dedicated channels such as [email protected]. In addition to policy advocacy, FIMI supports negotiations to secure collective agreements that benefit record industry workers, including contracts and copyright-related terms. The maintains strong institutional relations, representing the sector in national forums and international bodies to ensure music rights are protected and fair competition is upheld. FIMI disseminates legislative, economic, and technological updates through monthly newsletters to keep members informed and aligned on priorities.

Market Research and Industry Events

The Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) conducts extensive market research to analyze trends in the Italian recorded music sector, publishing annual year-end summaries under the "Top of the Music" banner in collaboration with GfK Italia. These reports provide detailed insights into consumption patterns, revenue streams, and artist performances, highlighting the dominance of streaming and the resurgence of physical formats. For instance, the 2024 edition revealed that the Italian music market achieved €461.2 million in revenues, marking the seventh consecutive year of growth at 8.5%, with streaming accounting for 67% of total income at €308.1 million, up 13.5% from the previous year. The report also noted 95 billion streams in 2024, a 31% increase, underscoring the sector's digital shift. FIMI's sector studies delve into specific dynamics such as streaming expansion and , offering quantitative context for industry evolution. Streaming revenues, particularly from paid subscriptions, grew 17.1% to €204.9 million in 2024, with the streaming sector reflecting a broader 84% rise over the past five years and positioning as the EU's third-largest market behind and . Vinyl sales, comprising 63% of physical formats, reached €38.9 million in 2024, up 6.8% and continuing a six-year upward trend that has elevated to eighth globally in this category. These analyses also cover ancillary areas like performance rights, which increased 2.6% to €74.8 million, and exports, with Italian music royalties abroad surging 13.8% to €28 million, a 140% growth since 2020. Overall, FIMI's research emphasizes sustainable growth, with the recorded music sector contributing to broader industry vitality, including live music where superfans drive higher attendance and spending compared to average listeners. In addition to research, FIMI organizes conferences, seminars, and news dissemination events to foster dialogue on emerging industry topics, supporting members through knowledge sharing and networking. These gatherings address issues like and international expansion, often in partnership with stakeholders to promote best practices. FIMI disseminates regular market insights via its official website and press releases, providing accessible data on trends and forecasts to both members and the public, thereby aiding strategic decision-making across the sector.

Official Charts

Album and Compilation Charts

The FIMI Album Chart was launched on March 5, 1995, as part of the federation's "Top of the Music" initiative, providing the first official ranking of best-selling albums in . This chart encompasses studio albums, live recordings, and other original releases by individual artists or groups, excluding compilation albums which are monitored in a separate category. The inaugural number-one entry was Bruce Springsteen's Greatest Hits Volume 1, reflecting the chart's focus on established international and domestic artists from its outset. Alongside the Album Chart, the FIMI Compilations Chart debuted in the same week, tracking multi-artist collections, greatest hits packages, and soundtrack albums not eligible for the main albums ranking. The first number-one on this chart was Sanremo '95, a collection featuring songs from the annual , highlighting the prominence of event-tied compilations in the Italian market during the mid-1990s. Compilations have remained distinctly separated to ensure the Album Chart prioritizes original artistic works. Initially compiled using sales data from Nielsen's barcode tracking across approximately 160 retail outlets—representing about 10% of the national market—the charts have evolved significantly, transitioning from physical sales only to a hybrid model incorporating digital downloads and streaming equivalents. This shift began in the early for digital consumption, with streaming added in July 2017 and ad-supported audio/video streaming incorporated in January 2024 via an economic weighting model, aligning with broader industry trends while maintaining reliance on comprehensive through a longstanding partnership with NIQ Italia (formerly ) for point-of-sale tracking. Annual year-end charts, summarizing the top performers over the full year, were introduced to provide long-term insights into market trends. In its current format (as of 2024), the FIMI Album Chart ranks the top 100 positions based on a combination of physical sales, digital sales, and streaming equivalents (including ad-supported streams), updated weekly to reflect the most recent seven-day period ending the previous Sunday. The Compilations Chart operates similarly, ensuring ongoing separation for clarity in tracking diverse release types. These weekly updates, published every Thursday, serve as the authoritative reference for the Italian music industry.

Singles and Digital Charts

The Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) introduced its official Singles Chart in January 1997, compiling data on physical single sales to rank the top 50 tracks weekly. This marked the organization's entry into tracking individual song performance separately from albums, reflecting the prominence of standalone releases in the Italian market at the time. Early entries on the chart highlighted international acts, with Depeche Mode's "Barrel of a Gun" reaching number one in its debut week. In response to the rising popularity of online music consumption, FIMI launched the Top Digital chart on April 10, 2006, in collaboration with Nielsen SoundScan, to monitor legal digital downloads from authorized platforms. The inaugural edition featured Gianna Nannini's "Sei nell'anima" at number one, underscoring the immediate viability of digital metrics for singles. Initially operating alongside the physical chart, this addition captured sales from and mobile sources, providing a parallel view of consumer preferences in an emerging format. Due to declining physical single sales, FIMI fully transitioned to digital tracking on January 7, 2008, renaming the chart Top Digital Download and discontinuing the physical component. This shift aligned the official rankings with market realities, where downloads from stores like dominated single consumption. The chart maintained a top 50 format, focusing exclusively on standalone digital singles rather than tracks bundled with albums. The current iteration, known as Top Singoli since , ranks the top 100 tracks weekly based on a combination of paid and audio/video , with data provided by NIQ Italia (formerly ) through point-of-sale tracking and platform reporting. are weighted using an , where one equates to 180 premium or 1,260 ad-supported , ensuring equivalence to value; short plays under 30 seconds and are excluded. This methodology, updated as of 2024 to incorporate ad-supported and video streaming for the first time, emphasizes premium and on-demand consumption across retail, online, and streaming services. The scope remains centered on individual tracks available as singles, encompassing physical formats until and digital releases thereafter, while excluding non-standalone album cuts unless issued independently. This focus allows FIMI to highlight viral hits and promotional singles, distinct from full-length performance. The integration of streaming in September 2014 further evolved the chart, broadening its representation of listener engagement beyond pure sales.

DVD and Video Charts

The Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) introduced its DVD Chart in to monitor the sales of music videos in physical formats, marking the first official tracking of this segment in the Italian market. The chart debuted on 14, , with Sting's Inside the Songs of Sacred Love—a video diary documenting the making of his —securing the inaugural number-one position, ahead of Mina's vintage 1972 concert film from the Bussola venue. Initially compiled by AC Nielsen, the chart ranked the top 20 best-selling music DVDs and videos, encompassing a diverse range of releases including rock titles from artists like , Led Zeppelin, and Queen, alongside Italian pop offerings from Ligabue, Ramazzotti, and Cocciante. The methodology relied on physical sales data gathered from a representative sample of retail outlets, such as specialized stores, hypermarkets exceeding 5,000 square meters, and chains like Media World, ensuring a comprehensive view of consumer purchases. From onward, FIMI partnered with Retail and Technology Italia for data compilation, maintaining weekly updates that captured sales from Friday to Thursday and reflected market trends in video consumption. This approach highlighted the chart's focus on tangible products, with annual summaries providing insights into yearly leaders, such as 's Vasco Rossi @ S.Siro 03 topping the 2003 year-end rankings amid a surge in holiday-driven sales that accounted for about 20% of total volume. Historically, the DVD Chart covered concert films, artist documentary videos, and compilation releases in video format, capturing the transition from to DVD as the dominant medium for music visuals in during the mid-2000s. Weekly publications continued until approximately 2011, after which the chart's visibility diminished in line with declining sales. To date, FIMI's tracking remains limited to physical DVDs, with no integration of streaming video metrics or digital video-on-demand data into this specific chart. Annual DVD charts are still archived.

Certification System

History and Evolution

The certification of music sales in Italy predates the establishment of the Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI), having been managed by its predecessor organization, the Associazione Fonografici Italiani (AFI), since the mid-1970s. Under AFI, the system focused primarily on physical shipments, with thresholds evolving over time to reflect market conditions, until operations transitioned in the early . FIMI, founded in 1992 to represent the Italian recording industry after major labels departed from AFI, resumed album certifications in 1994, marking a continuation and modernization of the program under its auspices. Singles certifications, however, were paused following the transition and were not reinstated until 1999, allowing FIMI to adapt the system to emerging digital formats. In 2009, FIMI introduced multi-platinum awards for singles to recognize higher sales volumes. Diamond certification for albums had been in place since 1994, while for singles it was introduced in 2014. Throughout its evolution, FIMI has periodically adjusted and thresholds to account for declining physical sales and the rise of digital consumption, with a notable revision in that lowered unit requirements while maintaining industry standards. A pivotal shift occurred in with the inclusion of in singles certifications, equating streams to sales equivalents to better capture modern listening habits. This was extended to albums in 2018, further aligning certifications with streaming-dominated revenue models. The certification process has been standardized since FIMI's inception, relying on verified shipment and sales data provided by independent auditor GfK to ensure transparency and accuracy in awarding plaques. FIMI discontinued certifications for music videos and DVDs in 2011.

Thresholds and Process

The certification process for FIMI awards begins with record labels or rights holders submitting an application through the organization's dedicated online database, where they provide details on the release, including sales and streaming data. This information is then independently verified by GfK Entertainment, FIMI's official data provider, which tracks physical sales, digital downloads, and eligible streams across platforms in Italy. Once the thresholds are met, FIMI issues the certification digitally on a weekly basis, coinciding with the chart announcements; physical plaques or awards can be requested separately by the applicant for an additional fee, typically within 30 days of eligibility. For albums and compilations, the thresholds have remained stable since January 2014, requiring 25,000 units for certification and 50,000 units for , with Multi-Platinum awards granted in increments of 50,000 units thereafter and status at 500,000 units. These units encompass physical copies, permanent digital downloads, and streaming equivalents, where 1,300 paid or ad-free on-demand streams equal one unit—a ratio introduced in 2018 to account for the shift toward digital consumption while aligning with 10-track equivalents. Certifications apply only to releases sold in and exclude promotional copies or exports. Singles certifications, updated effective January 2025 to reflect evolving market dynamics and the dominance of streaming, now require 100,000 units for and 200,000 units for , with Multi-Platinum increments of 100,000 units and at 2,000,000 units. Streaming has been factored in since 2014, using a ratio of 130 streams (lasting at least 30 seconds) to one unit for audio and video on-demand services; this adjustment doubled the previous thresholds of 50,000 and 100,000 units to better represent commercial impact amid higher consumption volumes. Like albums, only Italian-market data qualifies, and hybrid formats (e.g., track sales bundled with albums) are prorated accordingly. FIMI periodically reviews all thresholds to adapt to industry changes, as seen in the 2025 singles revision, but no updates have been announced for albums as of November 2025.

Notable Certified Releases

Since the introduction of the modern certification thresholds in 2009, FIMI has awarded numerous high-level certifications to albums that have achieved exceptional commercial success in , particularly those surpassing multi-platinum status. These awards reflect a combination of physical sales, downloads, and streaming equivalents, with standout examples including international and domestic releases that have resonated strongly with audiences. For instance, Adele's 21 (2011) earned 8× Platinum certification for 480,000 units in 2013, marking it as one of the top-certified foreign albums in the post-2009 era. Similarly, Italian artist Tiziano Ferro's L’amore è una cosa semplice (2011) reached the same 8× Platinum level at 480,000 units in 2013, underscoring the enduring popularity of local pop acts. Other notable multi-platinum albums include Ed Sheeran's ÷ (2017), certified 7× Platinum for 350,000 units, which benefited from massive streaming and touring synergy. Domestic highlights from this period feature Ligabue's Mondovisione (2013) and Adriano Celentano & Mina's Le Migliori (2016), both attaining 7× Platinum at 350,000 units each, demonstrating the strength of Italian rock and classic duets in the market. In recent years, the landscape has evolved with the streaming boom, leading to the rare Diamond certification for Lazza's Sirio (2022), awarded for exceeding 500,000 units in 2024—the first such album accolade since 2011 and a milestone for Italian rap.
ArtistAlbumCertificationUnitsYear
218× Platinum480,0002013
L’amore è una cosa semplice8× Platinum480,0002013
÷7× Platinum350,0002017
SirioDiamond500,000+2024
For singles, FIMI has certified numerous Diamond-level hits in the digital and streaming era, such as those by leading Italian artists like and Mahmood, with examples including multi-platinum tracks that have amassed millions of streams. In 2024 alone, 1,475 singles received certifications, highlighting the dominance of streaming, which accounted for 67% of industry revenue and contributed to a total of 1,749 awards across formats. FIMI's online database provides a complete record of these certified works, allowing public access to detailed sales data.

References

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