Snow Patrol’s 2006 single ‘Chasing Cars’ has become the first song ever to be awarded the Nielsen Music 200,000 Plays Award for airplay across UK radio. This award recognises the cumulative plays of a song across all UK radio stations since release and the achievement of all involved in making the record a radio hit. 
‘Chasing Cars’, first played on UK radio on 24th April 2006, has received the biggest support from the radio stations which now make up the Heart Network.
The Nielsen Music Airplay Awards were introduced in 2005 to recognise the success of radio plugging campaigns within the music industry. Levels of certification start with the ‘Impact Award’ for 5,000 plays on UK radio within the 8 weeks prior to release. Recognition is also given to songs which reach 10,000, 30,000, 100,000 and now 200,000 plays. All UK radio plays across Nielsen’s extensive panel of 275 UK stations, since January 2000, are included to calculate the awards.
The first song to receive the 100,000 plays award was ‘Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love)’ by Spiller in 2005.
Gary Lightbody, Snow Patrol: “We are staggered by this news. It’s an incredible achievement and we’re all very proud of this milestone for Chasing Cars. Thanks to all who played it and helped to make it so successful”
