At least one tie-up with Smash Hits magazine in 1987, called Now Smash Hits. [22] ( Smash Hits later went on to release their own compilations). Following its introduction in China, the Now! series has enjoyed great success, with a new compilation released approximately every three to four months. Each album contains current and recent hit singles from Chinese artists signed to EMI or Polydor, and from British and Australian pop acts such as Kylie Minogue, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sugababes or Robbie Williams.

The idea for the series was conceived in the office of Virgin Records in Vernon Yard, near Portobello Road in Notting Hill, London, by the head of Licensing and Business Affairs at Virgin Records (1979–1990) Stephen Navin, and General Manager (1983–1988) Jon Webster. [2] The concept was taken to Simon Draper (managing director at Virgin Records) and then Peter Jamieson (managing director of EMI Records (1983–1986)). Jamieson had similar plans to launch such a compilation, and he agreed to the partnership. The deal was negotiated and finalised on Richard Branson's boat moored in Little Venice. [3] Now That's What I Call Music! 46 - Now That's What I Call Music". www.nowmusic.com . Retrieved 2 July 2018. Now That's What I Call Music! 28 - Now That's What I Call Music". www.nowmusic.com . Retrieved 2 July 2018.Now That's What I Call Music! 30 - Now That's What I Call Music". www.nowmusic.com . Retrieved 2 July 2018. Now That's What I Call Music! 50 - Now That's What I Call Music". www.nowmusic.com . Retrieved 2 July 2018.

Now That's What I Call Music! 45 - Now That's What I Call Music". www.nowmusic.com . Retrieved 2 July 2018.New Music Fridays" are coming – Global release day launches 10th July". Ifpi.org. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017 . Retrieved 14 November 2021. NOW That's What I Call Music! 99 - Now That's What I Call Music". www.nowmusic.com . Retrieved 2 July 2018. Official Compilations Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 21 June 2018.

Now That's What I Call Music! 18 - Now That's What I Call Music". www.nowmusic.com . Retrieved 2 July 2018. Now That's What I Call Music! 64 - Now That's What I Call Music". www.nowmusic.com . Retrieved 2 July 2018. Now 01 appeared in July of that year, followed by Now 02 in time for Christmas 2002. 2003's Now 03 came with a bonus DVD; the first standalone DVD release ( Now Vision 2004) appeared the following year.Various Artists - Now That's What I Call Music Vol. 80 (CD)". Raru.co.za . Retrieved 14 November 2021. Now That's What I Call Music! 17 - Now That's What I Call Music". www.nowmusic.com . Retrieved 2 July 2018. NOW That's What I Call Music! 98 - Now That's What I Call Music". www.nowmusic.com . Retrieved 2 July 2018.

In February 2023, 12" mixes all taken from the first three Now Dance compilations, originally released in 1985, 1986 and 1989, were collected on a special 4CD and 3LP set, Now Dance: The 80s, with artwork inspired by the original Now Dance 86. Fourteen mixes were taken from Now Dance, eighteen mixes were lifted from 86, and sixteen from 89. Sometimes considered a spin-off, video releases, including video cassette editions of many early Now! compilations, and (more recently) yearly DVD video releases.

Now has been seen in Israel, starting in 1999. The first three albums are double discs. Now 4 was the first single disc and the rest in the series are also single disc.