There is lots of hate for K-Love and Air1. It’s mainly by people who have no clue what the formats are. They’re just looking for something to hate because they don’t believe the same as the hater. Somehow, they’re a con or doing something illegal which says even more about the hater having no clue. Once upon a time we just agreed to disagree and left it at that…no criticism, no hate.
I will attempt to describe the way K-Love and Air1 find success. First, they are not just a radio station. Yes, they are music formats jocked by primarily major market radio pros executing a format. No, there’s no preaching on the station. I don’t think I’ve ever heard them imply you need to be Christian. They just don’t talk religion because there are so many flavors.
For a person that wants a positive experience on a daily basis, these formats give out constant uplifting lyrics to keep the mind focused on the positive. No politics, no fire and brimstone. It’s like the negative parts of life vanish. Nothing negative. Just catchy songs with easy to recall lyrics and easy to sing along to songs back to back. It’s akin to Top 40. All the songs are known and positive.
When the listener goes to church, they likely sing the same songs in the service.
Even the air talent sounds much more secular than not. They do bits. They take callers. They talk about daily things you’d have happen in your life. It’s very comfortable and stress-free.
Without having to say, there is the implied urgency that these are commercial free stations that survive by donations from listeners. Most listeners give about a dollar a day. They do say those that donate keep things going and more people are discovering the stations thanks to their gift. Since the stations played at a place I worked, I know they might talk about some listeners such as the lady that was going to the hospital almost daily fighting cancer and listened to the station. She said it kept her positive at a time all she could think about was negative.
Radio’s typical music formats do not have this same appeal, and never have. Not even classical has this depth of organic support. This is radio that is part of your daily lifestyle, not a station you listen to. It’s not quite like prying your smart phone from your hands forever but it’s not far off either. The attachment is not just the station, music and jocks. It’s more like the coffee that starts your day.
Classical is a close second since classical listeners feel their station is an oasis among the radio desert (that's a quote). They don’t want to imagine life without their music. Even so, their numbers and expectations mean support varies. The truth be told, so many classical stations are not ‘good’ to many classical music lovers but better than nothing. So many tell me to be 100% music without news and other elements other than what is going on in the arts community. Stations doing this seem to do best. Playing movements as the format is not the way to go but I admit it works for reaching younger demos that are sorely needed.
Back to K-Love and Air1. It’s not the station, format or jocks. It’s part of daily life that listeners perceive as a tool for a good day. Until other formats can replicate this, it will be tough to make it on listener’s donations. And if you think they’re just a bunch of radical right wing Christian nut jobs, there are people of other religions that like the positive vibe too and even those that are not churchgoers are avid listeners. In fact, lots of moms like it for their young kids. And the kids seem to like it too.
That’s the aim of K-Love, Air1, Way-FM and the others. They want to be a station for as many as they can get without any ‘membership’ requirements like being Christian or going to church or being a part of a certain political party. It’s certainly working for them.
Finally: I find the formatics interesting but the format is not my preference and no button on my radio is set for K-Love or any of the others. I listened and learned because a place where I worked part-time played Way-FM and Air1.
I will attempt to describe the way K-Love and Air1 find success. First, they are not just a radio station. Yes, they are music formats jocked by primarily major market radio pros executing a format. No, there’s no preaching on the station. I don’t think I’ve ever heard them imply you need to be Christian. They just don’t talk religion because there are so many flavors.
For a person that wants a positive experience on a daily basis, these formats give out constant uplifting lyrics to keep the mind focused on the positive. No politics, no fire and brimstone. It’s like the negative parts of life vanish. Nothing negative. Just catchy songs with easy to recall lyrics and easy to sing along to songs back to back. It’s akin to Top 40. All the songs are known and positive.
When the listener goes to church, they likely sing the same songs in the service.
Even the air talent sounds much more secular than not. They do bits. They take callers. They talk about daily things you’d have happen in your life. It’s very comfortable and stress-free.
Without having to say, there is the implied urgency that these are commercial free stations that survive by donations from listeners. Most listeners give about a dollar a day. They do say those that donate keep things going and more people are discovering the stations thanks to their gift. Since the stations played at a place I worked, I know they might talk about some listeners such as the lady that was going to the hospital almost daily fighting cancer and listened to the station. She said it kept her positive at a time all she could think about was negative.
Radio’s typical music formats do not have this same appeal, and never have. Not even classical has this depth of organic support. This is radio that is part of your daily lifestyle, not a station you listen to. It’s not quite like prying your smart phone from your hands forever but it’s not far off either. The attachment is not just the station, music and jocks. It’s more like the coffee that starts your day.
Classical is a close second since classical listeners feel their station is an oasis among the radio desert (that's a quote). They don’t want to imagine life without their music. Even so, their numbers and expectations mean support varies. The truth be told, so many classical stations are not ‘good’ to many classical music lovers but better than nothing. So many tell me to be 100% music without news and other elements other than what is going on in the arts community. Stations doing this seem to do best. Playing movements as the format is not the way to go but I admit it works for reaching younger demos that are sorely needed.
Back to K-Love and Air1. It’s not the station, format or jocks. It’s part of daily life that listeners perceive as a tool for a good day. Until other formats can replicate this, it will be tough to make it on listener’s donations. And if you think they’re just a bunch of radical right wing Christian nut jobs, there are people of other religions that like the positive vibe too and even those that are not churchgoers are avid listeners. In fact, lots of moms like it for their young kids. And the kids seem to like it too.
That’s the aim of K-Love, Air1, Way-FM and the others. They want to be a station for as many as they can get without any ‘membership’ requirements like being Christian or going to church or being a part of a certain political party. It’s certainly working for them.
Finally: I find the formatics interesting but the format is not my preference and no button on my radio is set for K-Love or any of the others. I listened and learned because a place where I worked part-time played Way-FM and Air1.
