Ringtones chart to hit ITV

Orange has struck a deal with ITV1 and the production company behind Big Brother, Endemol, to screen a music chart of mobile ringtones.

The weekly show - to be called Orange Playlist - will be paid for in part by the France Telecom-parented mobile operator and should be coming to a UK TV screens from the end of next month.

Although the show will be aimed at a younger audience - viewers will be encouraged to send texts and picture messages to the programme with the best appearing on screen - the ringtone chart is mooted for a late-night slot and is lined up for an initial six-month run.

The show will also offer a run-down of the top five singles in the download and traditional chart.

The Orange Playlist isn't the first attempt to capitalise on music's success - ringtone sales now beat CD single sales - in new media formats. Virgin and Napster announced last week they would be offering a online music chart, to hit the market just days before the Beeb's own download offering.