LOS ANGELES (Billboard) -
Kelly Clarkson will replace U2 at the top of the Billboard 200 next week
with her second chart-topper, according to preliminary estimates on Thursday.
"All I Ever Wanted," the fourth release
from the inaugural "American Idol" champ,
should sell as many as 200,000 copies in the six days ended March 15.
But industry prognosticators caution the number could increase
depending on how her assorted TV performances this week
will affect the album's start.
Clarkson performed on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Tuesday,
Fox's "American Idol" on Wednesday, and will next visit NBC's "Saturday Night Live."
The album's first single, "My Life Would Suck Without You,"
spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February
thanks to its strong out-of-the-gate digital sales.
Clarkson's previous album, 2007's "My December," bowed at No. 2
on the Billboard 200 with 291,000.
It has sold 788,000 in the U.S. to date.
Clarkson's previous chart-topper came with her first album, 2003's "Thankful,"
which kicked off with 297,000 units.
The preliminary estimates are based on first-day sales at seven merchants --
including Best Buy, iTunes, Starbucks, Borders, and Target --
that comprise about 60% of all U.S. album sales.
Final data will be issued on Wednesday.
U2's "No Line on the Horizon" ascended to the top of the Billboard 200 this week
with sales of 484,000 copies.
(Reuters)
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