Growing Gap Between Urban AC and Urban Contemporary

[Gregg.]

In market after market, the Urban AC station does great, while the Urban Contemporary station struggles. Let's look at some markets where African American listeners make up a significant percentage...

--New York..........WBLS Urban AC #1......................................................WQHT #14 tie, WWPR #16 tie.
--Chicago.............WVAZ Urban AC #1.................................................... WGCI Urban at #15 tie.
--Atlanta...............WALR Urban AC #2......................................................WVEE Urban #10 tie.
--Washington.....WHUR Urban AC #3, WMMJ Urban AC #7.........WPGC Urban #12, WKYS Urban #14.
--Philadelphia.....WDAS-FM Urban AC #1.............................................WUSL Urban at #10.
--Miami.................WHQT Urban AC #2.....................................................WEDR Urban #11.
--Detroit...............WMXD Urban AC #2....................................................WJLB Urban #9.

This isn't necessarily true in some markets where the black population makes up a third of the listeners. In New Orleans, the iHeart Urban AC is #1 and the Urban is #2, not far behind. Same for Richmond: Urban AC is #1 and Urban Contemporary is #2. In Memphis, Urban AC is #1 and #3, Urban Gospel is #2 and Urban Contemporary is #4.

 

[nd2023]

Today’s young black men aren’t listening to the radio.

 

[vchimpanzee]

102 Jamz used to be one of the top stations in Greensboro NC and it seemed there were bumper stickers all over.

I was blaming the loss of audience on the new rhythmic competitor but that could be it.

 

[davideduardo]

Today’s young black men aren’t listening to the radio.

The main reason is that radio can't play the vast majority of the current hits.

 

[davideduardo]

I was blaming the loss of audience on the new rhythmic competitor but that could be it.

Not. It's the lyrics of the huge majority of current hip hop songs that make them unplayable on the radio.

 

[Cordelia Chase]

Norfolk, VA......................#1 WVKL 95-7, Smooth R&B 10.5...........VS...........#6 WOWI 103 JAMZ 5.3

The people who made 103 JAMZ number 1 for several years in a row in the 80s and 90s are the same ones that are making 95-7 number 1 now. (I'll have to take your word regarding the lyrical content of what the kids are listening to these days and where they're able to hear it, LOL.)

 

[Cordelia Chase]

Also, due to the lack of a full-signal, commercial FM urban gospel station, 95-7 Smooth R&B sprinkles in some of the more contemporary sounding inspirational songs. Additionally, singer Donnie McClurkin's syndicated gospel show precedes the Steve Harvey Morning Show every day. Maybe this element helps their ratings some.

 

[101tm]

At what point do these large market Urban and Hip Hop stations - many of them heritage stations - that are getting around 2-3 shares at the bottom of the books get the plug pulled? Most seem to be limping along somehow. Unless the stations can get the listeners back from streaming (unlikely) or clean the lyrics up (also unlikely), how is there a future for them?

 

[Gregg.]

Well, even if those Urban and Rhythmic stations aren't getting great overall ratings, they're often in the Top 5 for the 18-34 demographic. So I think that's where they are making up for so-so ratings.

When you see the 18-34 numbers, you often see Urban Contemporary and Rhythmic Contemporary stations doing better in that demo than overall. They often equal or beat the higher rated Top 40 stations because a big chunk of the Top 40 audience is middle aged women. They want to be "Cool Moms." But they are older than the 18-34 demo, so they only contribute to the 18-49 and 25-54 demos.

 

[Juliesftw]

Not. It's the lyrics of the huge majority of current hip hop songs that make them unplayable on the radio.

that's not a bad thing because most young people look for their music on apps like spotify and youtube now the radio is archiac if the Radio would stop censoring then they would get play. If you can't listen to the new NBA young boy then the radio doesn't need to be in business because spotify and youtube will let the young man listen to his music how he likes it. Uncut unfiltred and raw as hell. Even as a 41 year old I understand How this is a good thing and why sites and apps like spotify and youtue have caught so much for fire for places to listen to music the Radio is doing a disservice to itself because young black men will find what they want on the tip of their fingers no need to wait for the radio to play their song just login to youtube search or save it to your faves and play it or for a small fee play it on your app on your phone. If the radio was smart they'd play the hot songs or die. thats how I see it the radio is looking for an early death because youtube and spotify is giving what the people want uncut and raw. the radio is archaic. from yester year this is how mostly everyone listens to music now so it's all on the radio and only radio

 

[frankberry]

that's not a bad thing because most young people look for their music on apps like spotify and youtube now the radio is archiac if the Radio would stop censoring then they would get play. If you can't listen to the new NBA young boy then the radio doesn't need to be in business because spotify and youtube will let the young man listen to his music how he likes it. Uncut unfiltred and raw as hell. Even as a 41 year old I understand How this is a good thing and why sites and apps like spotify and youtue have caught so much for fire for places to listen to music the Radio is doing a disservice to itself because young black men will find what they want on the tip of their fingers no need to wait for the radio to play their song just login to youtube search or save it to your faves and play it or for a small fee play it on your app on your phone. If the radio was smart they'd play the hot songs or die. thats how I see it the radio is looking for an early death because youtube and spotify is giving what the people want uncut and raw. the radio is archaic. from yester year this is how mostly everyone listens to music now so it's all on the radio and only radio

It's illegal to broadcast obscene or violent lyrics. That is why stations MUST edit the content of some songs.

 

[davideduardo]

Well, even if those Urban and Rhythmic stations aren't getting great overall ratings, they're often in the Top 5 for the 18-34 demographic. So I think that's where they are making up for so-so ratings.

When you see the 18-34 numbers, you often see Urban Contemporary and Rhythmic Contemporary stations doing better in that demo than overall. They often equal or beat the higher rated Top 40 stations because a big chunk of the Top 40 audience is middle aged women. They want to be "Cool Moms." But they are older than the 18-34 demo, so they only contribute to the 18-49 and 25-54 demos.

The target of CHR, for decades, has been 18-34 women and 25-44 women. The core is 25-44 women, of course.

 

[davideduardo]

It's illegal to broadcast obscene or violent lyrics. That is why stations MUST edit the content of some songs.

Or not play them at all if they are uneditable.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I'm wondering what the result of the current situation will be in Myrtle Beach SC and Greenville NC.

Myrtle Beach had an urban AC, WDAI Kiss 98.5, but now it leans hip-hop and no one is doing urban AC in the immediate area. Some people in the market can pick up Magic 94.3 in Florence or Star 99.7 in Charleston.

Greenville has Kiss 101.9, but I'm not aware of an urban AC in recent years other than Foxy 104 in Raleigh.

 

[TexasTom]

It's illegal to broadcast obscene or violent lyrics. That is why stations MUST edit the content of some songs.

Very true, although I suspect that most radio stations do run to tighter standards than just meeting the law -- it does seem to me that commercial radio stations will steer clear of content that doesn't violate the law but is likely to offend many listeners. That would include racial epithets (use of the n-word in rap songs), phrases that some might consider blasphemous or sacrilegious ("using the Lord's name in vain"), and so forth.

 

[Kelly A]

Or not play them at all if they are uneditable.

Yeah, when every 'chorus' or hook contains an F-bomb and the listener already knows the actual lyrics, it's simply not worth the effort.

 

[Juliesftw]

Very true, although I suspect that most radio stations do run to tighter standards than just meeting the law -- it does seem to me that commercial radio stations will steer clear of content that doesn't violate the law but is likely to offend many listeners. That would include racial epithets (use of the n-word in rap songs), phrases that some might consider blasphemous or sacrilegious ("using the Lord's name in vain"), and so forth.

Wonderful! Let's all live life in a social bubble where nothing is offending. It's not reality. american can censor the music medium but try and do that to society! Second ammendant going strong! We can't listen to vile rap music but we can buy an AR15!! with hell speed mods! Funny how society is if we can censor something but murder and mayhem is acceptable! I'm really missing the point here! Music isn't gonna kill you but guns will! Wisen america! your mental health sector is failing the people and you continue to sensor pointless music only meant to give you enjoyment! Just mind boggling guys!

 

[Kelly A]

Wonderful! Let's all live life in a social bubble where nothing is offending. It's not reality. american can censor the music medium but try and do that to society! Second ammendant going strong! We can't listen to vile rap music but we can buy an AR15!! with hell speed mods! Funny how society is if we can censor something but murder and mayhem is acceptable! I'm really missing the point here! Music isn't gonna kill you but guns will! Wisen america! your mental health sector is failing the people and you continue to sensor pointless music only meant to give you enjoyment! Just mind boggling guys!

A little over the top, but you are aware that obscenity rules have been around for broadcasters since the beginning?

 

[davideduardo]

A little over the top, but you are aware that obscenity rules have been around for broadcasters since the beginning?

And the reasoning is that broadcast radio is free and easily accessible by all, including children. Unlike a magazine or Internet access which require a purchase or a subscription, it's subject to what the government felt was needed to protect certain content from the young.

 

[semoochie]

And the reasoning is that broadcast radio is free and easily accessible by all, including children. Unlike a magazine or Internet access which require a purchase or a subscription, it's subject to what the government felt was needed to protect certain content from the young.

Is it even possible to function now, in any meaningful way, without an internet connection of some kind?