To date, the first "Hunger Games" album has sold 481,000.
The "Catching Fire" set will likely be the second-biggest debut next week, following Five Finger Death Punch's new album, "The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Vol. 2." Sources forecast that album to move around 80,000.
Neither "Catching Fire" or Five Finger Death Punch are estimated to open at No. 1. Eminem's "The Marshall Mathers LP 2" will return to the top with perhaps 120,000.
The new Billboard 200's top 10 will be revealed on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
On SoundScan's Building chart (below), Eminem returns to No. 1, while Five Finger Death Punch is new at No. 2 and the “Catching Fire” No. 3. The Building tally is a precursor to the final Billboard 200 ranking -- reflecting the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan's tracking week as reported by six major merchants.
Because of how Building Chart is compiled, the rankings can sometimes be misleading in relation to what the final Billboard 200 will look like.
Nielsen SoundScan Building Chart |
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Rank | LW BB 200 | Artist | Title |
1 | 2 | Eminem | "The Marshall Mathers LP 2" |
2 | NEW | Five Finger Death Punch | "Wrong Side Of Heaven & The Righteous Side Of Hell, Vol. 2" |
3 | NEW | Soundtracks | "Hunger Games: Catching Fire" |
4 | NEW | Daughtry | "Baptized" |
5 | 3 | Various Artists | "Now 48" |
6 | NEW | Yo Gotti | "I Am" |
7 | 4 | The Robertsons | "Duck the Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas" |
8 | NEW | Various Artists | "Cities 97 Sampler, Volume 25" |
9 | 1 | Lady Gaga | "ARTPOP" |
10 | 6 | Kelly Clarkson | "Wrapped In Red" |
The Building Chart reflects the first four days (Monday through Thursday) of SoundScan's tracking week (which ends Sunday) as reported by six major merchants: iTunes, Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, Starbucks, Target and Anderson Merchandisers. Billboard estimates that they make up about 85% of all U.S. album sales. |