It's 2015! Time to get rid of the '70s.

[K.M. Richards]

You left out how much time is now spent with the radio on in the background as noise, being ignored. Since it benefits the suits to count radios that are merely on as background noise as "listeners", advertisers are throwing their money away on commercial spots that are being ignored.

I believe David's analogy to the old Beautiful Music format applies, and I believe I know why that format got results in its day and why any music-based station used as "background noise" also gets results. When the music ends and the stopset begins, the unconscious mind notices even as the conscious mind wasn't even really listening in the first place, and the commercial content, once subliminally noticed in that way, has an effect later when the conscious mind accesses information the unconscious mind gathers in making a buying decision.

It's not scientific, but it would explain a few things: (1) Why those seven-minute stopsets are still effective even for the advertiser who is the 8th of 11 spots; (2) why Beautiful Music was successful for advertisers even though it was the ultimate "background noise" format; and (3) why spots on talk-formatted stations only work with the engaged listeners, and not with the distracted ones ... not enough difference between programming and advertising content to "wake up" the unconscious mind.

 

[K.M. Richards]

It's an advertising issue, that frankly needs to change.

Yes. You are completely right on that statement.

I hereby deputize you to go to the advertising agencies and convince them. After all, you already have all the arguments in your possession in favor of it ... you've been giving those arguments to us for some time now. Why not put them to use to fix the real, underlying problem?

 

[Music Lover]

I expect people who post on message boards to consider streams as an alternative, because they are more connected to their computers.

True. Kind of reminds me of the debate about 55+. When classic hits stations dropped the 50's and 60's (and now the early 70's), a ton of listeners were lost, but yet they are mostly still alive and doing well. What do these folks have to listen to? Their own scratchy 45's or You Tube streams? I'm sure they would still love to hear their favorite Chubby Checker, Bill Haley or Chiffons tunes on the air, but can't. Unless they find some rural AM still throwing out those gems, it's very much over for them in regards to radio. So yes, radio has lost many listeners. It's an advertising issue, that frankly needs to change.

These listeners and the wealth of oldies they have in front of them, would be thrilled to have stations that catered to them.
If done right and promoted, these radio "customers" could return in huge numbers.

Oldies76's mention about the 50's and 60's music is why my parents have switched to streaming as well. It's not just because we're connected to computers. It's because of nostalgia for things we loved and stuff we loved has disappeared from traditional media.

 

[K.M. Richards]

This is supposed to be an area for "music enthusiasts" to discuss, but that sure didn't last long....

I don't see "Music Enthusiasts" anywhere in the board organization hierarchy string at the top of the page. I see:

Forum > Radio Topics > Radio Formats > Adult Contemporary > It's 2015! Time to get rid of the '70s.

 

[K.M. Richards]

Oldies76's mention about the 50's and 60's music is why my parents have switched to streaming as well.

I bet you're the computer literate one who set that up for them and they likely wouldn't have even thought of it on their own without your suggestion. Still anectodal.

 

[K.M. Richards]

Who said anything about "deep cuts"?

#1's and other TOP 10 singles. Those are not "deep cuts".

They might as well be, if the majority doesn't want to hear them anymore.

 

[K.M. Richards]

Because I'm not an idiot. If I had the resources to buy a radio station, I'd use them to buy a bar/restaurant. If I'm going to invest my money in something, it'll be something I love doing.

Wouldn't you love to hear him argue with his customers over what's in the juke box?

Great. Now I've sprayed coffee all over my screen. Thanks a lot.

 

[TheBigA]

Oldies76's mention about the 50's and 60's music is why my parents have switched to streaming as well. It's not just because we're connected to computers. It's because of nostalgia for things we loved and stuff we loved has disappeared from traditional media.

It's disappearing from the commercial part of traditional media. Lots of non-commercial places to find older stuff if you look for it.

 

[Music Lover]

I bet you're the computer literate one who set that up for them and they likely wouldn't have even thought of it on their own without your suggestion.

Nope. They are just as computer literate as I am. And they were the ones who wound up getting me hooked on the iPod.

 

[Music Lover]

It's disappearing from the commercial part of traditional media. Lots of non-commercial places to find older stuff if you look for it.

Duh. That's exactly what I meant.

 

[oldies76]

When I was a kid, radio was more foreground. Now that I'm older, it's become more background.

I'd have to agree. Even at work, when you ask people "hey what's the name of that song that just played"? Their answer is, "oh, I wasn't listening...most of what's played, just goes over my head, I don't even pay attention to it anymore"

I gotta wonder what percentage of radio commercials and other ads go completely ignored by their audiences. It has to be a staggering number. And just think of all that money being paid for these ads. Long segments of spots on the radio are an instant tune out and station changer. I want to hear music, not someone blabbering a phone number 4 or 5 times, that for one, does not even relate to my life style.

 

[oldies76]

Yes. You are completely right on that statement.

I hereby deputize you to go to the advertising agencies and convince them. After all, you already have all the arguments in your possession in favor of it ... you've been giving those arguments to us for some time now. Why not put them to use to fix the real, underlying problem?

I really wish I could. Millions of senior citizens would be gracious!!

 

[oldies76]

Oldies76's mention about the 50's and 60's music is why my parents have switched to streaming as well. It's not just because we're connected to computers. It's because of nostalgia for things we loved and stuff we loved has disappeared from traditional media.

See, radio used to be this way on some stations and that's how I got into music. Huge weekend specials got me lured back then. We're talking about 30 years ago! If you're lucky you can still catch some of this nostalgia on stations like Super Hits 106 and Hippie Radio or a station like KFXM in Southern California , or just tune into an American Top 40 rerun. It's out there, just far and few in between.

 

[TheBigA]

Duh. That's exactly what I meant.

Non-commercial radio is available on traditional media like FM.

 

[Music Lover]

I want to hear music, not someone blabbering a phone number 4 or 5 times, that for one, does not even relate to my life style.

Me too.

Another thing I've always hated is morning shows, with DJ's playing all these silly games, etc. More music, less talk.

 

[TheBigA]

See, radio used to be this way on some stations and that's how I got into music. Huge weekend specials got me lured back then. We're talking about 30 years ago!

Fast forward 30 years, and you're now 30 years older. Meanwhile, people who are NOW the age your were 30 years ago can hear radio stations that play music from the 80s and 90s. They're having the experience you had then. Radio hasn't changed...you've just gotten older. Sorry about that.

 

[TheBigA]

Me too.

Another thing I've always hated is morning shows, with DJ's playing all these silly games, etc. More music, less talk.

But radio has always been DJs talking. That's what made radio special 40 years ago, when these songs were hits. You just want to hear music? Play your CDs.

 

[Music Lover]

Non-commercial radio is available on traditional media like FM.

About the only thing in my neck of the woods that is non-commercial on FM is a classical station and a religious station. AM is out of the question due to bad reception.

 

[Music Lover]

But radio has always been DJs talking. That's what made radio special 40 years ago, when these songs were hits. You just want to hear music? Play your CDs.

On the soft AC stations I enjoyed, that I consider as being no longer in existence, some due to changing style and some due to changing format completely, the imaging was less intrusive. If you had a DJ talking, he or she had a calming voice because the station was the relaxation spot on the dial.

 

[oldies76]

I don't see "Music Enthusiasts" anywhere in the board organization hierarchy string at the top of the page .

I was looking at the main menu page. I just happen to miss the word "radio pros". Click Forum near the top and you'll get the main menu screen and look under the word Radio Topics, just above Radio Formats.