Chartjackers

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Chartjackers is a British documentary and reality series from Hat Trick Productions for BBC Switch. It follows four teenage video bloggers—Alex Day, Johnny Haggart, Jimmy Hill, and Charlotte McDonnell (formerly Charlie McDonnell)—as they try to write, record, and release a charity single in ten weeks. The show was broadcast on BBC Two in 2009 and ran eleven weekly episodes. The first ten episodes were filmed in real time, with a final compilation episode at the end.

The project used crowdsourcing to create the song. Viewers suggested lyrics on the ChartJackersProject YouTube channel, and more than 4,000 comments were posted to help craft the chorus “I’ve Got Nothing.” Viewers also submitted melodies, and the winning tune came from Jonny Dark. Ten finalists performed for the group, who later selected Chartrand and Adam Nichols as the lead vocalists for the released track.

The single, “I’ve Got Nothing,” was recorded in Newport and produced by Marc Dowding, with the music video direction by Corin Hardy. It was released on iTunes on November 9, 2009, with all profits going to Children in Need. The song sold about 8,400 copies in the UK, reaching number 36 on the UK Singles Chart, and around 20,000 copies worldwide.

Critical reception was largely negative, with many critics doubting the charity angle and the value of the project. Some celebrities offered advice, and Stephen Fry’s promotion on Twitter helped boost sales. Chartjackers was nominated for a 2010 Broadcast Digital Award but did not win.

The show’s format combined TV with online interaction, part of BBC Switch’s multi-platform content for teens. The project had a large online following, with the four bloggers having a substantial YouTube audience. The series was broadcast only in the UK and has not been released on DVD. The final episode attracted about half a million viewers.