Ringtones feel the 'Love'

Chart singles, classic TV themes makeup mobile phone chart

By GORDON MASSON

LONDON -- The Black Eyed Peas track "Where Is the Love" topped last year's chart of the most popular mobile phone ringtones in the UK, it was revealed today.

Compiled by the Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society (MCPS) and the Performing Right Society (PRS) - the organizations that pay royalties to composers and songwriters, the chart information was gathered from Britain's 80 licensed ringtone content suppliers in order to make accurate royalty payments to music creators.

Surprisingly chart singles did not dominate the chart, but rather shared it with classic TV themes such as "The Muppet Show" and "Mission Impossible," reflecting the diverse nature of the ringtones market. Globally, depending on which research company you believe, the market in 2003 was believed to have been worth between $1 billion and $3 billion.

Top Ten 2003 Ringtones in the U.K

1. " Where Is the Love" by Black Eyed Peas

2. "The Muppet Show" TV Theme

3. "Mission Impossible" TV Theme

4. "In Da Club" by 50 Cent

5. "The Pink Panther" TV Theme

6. "Roobarb and Custard" TV Theme

7. "Ignition" by R. Kelly

8. "The Addams Family" TV Theme

9. "Lose Yourself" by Eminem

10. "Happy Days" TV Theme