Album sales, to be more exact James. Record companies don't make money from singles . . . . they're released more as adverts to entice the public to buy albums - that's were the big profit margin is.
So . . . . . . . .
Gareth's last (double) album 'Go Your Own Way' charted at No. 11, spent a couple of weeks in the chart and then disappeared out of the Top 40. Total sales so far of just over 100,000. VERY POOR. In fact, plans to release a 4th single from the album were scrapped - no point throwing more good money after bad.
As a comparison, Will's album 'Friday's Child' entered at No. 1, after 5 months is still at No 23 in the chart, and so far has sold over 1.3 million copies. THAT'S what the record companies want.
Have no sympathy really for Gareth - he believed too much in the hype surrounding him . . . . lying about the Jordan 'affair' did him absolutely no favours, and he even said in a couple of interviews abroad that he was bigger than the winner of Pop Idol!
Do feel sorry for his few remaining faithful fans though - they must be devastated. I'm sure another record company will be interested in signing him, though - but not one with as much clout as BMG.