The Eagles have topped the US album chart as well as the UK album chart, even though 'Long Road Out Of Eden' is only available via Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores in America. Previously albums exclusively available via one or two retailers were not eligible for inclusion in the Billboard 200 chart, but chart types have changed the rules allowing Eagles to take the number one spot.
These kind of exclusivity deals are not without controversy, with some retailers in the past boycotting artists who enter into an arrangement with one of their competitors which prevented them from stocking a latest release. But Billboard charts chief Geoff Mayfield said this week: "We know that some retailers will be uncomfortable with this policy, but it was inevitable that Billboard's charts would ultimately widen the parameters to reflect changes that are unfolding in music distribution. We would have preferred to make this decision earlier, but only became aware within the last 24 hours that Wal-Mart would be willing to share the data for this title with Nielsen SoundScan."