2 burning questions...

[whit979]

I'm the program director of a Hot AC station in Alabama, and I'm curious about how other people feel about a couple of topics regarding Hot AC radio. Maybe this will get some conversation going on this board.

First off...our station engineer gave me the job of deciding how we sound on-air (processing). I tweak with our settings all the time to see what kind of "flavors" we can end up with. But this is a question that's been on my mind for a while...how does your Hot AC station sound? Is it conservative -- like a mainstream AC, is it loud -- like a Top 40, or is it something completely different?

Secondly...what do you think the main attraction of Hot AC radio is now? Where is it going? I read a lot of articles that say it's personality-driven...but I think the music is the biggest thing now. What do you think?

Thanks to everybody who replies!

 

[JimmyJames]

We don't do anything fancy with our processing. Formatically, we sound much like a top 40 - just minus the urban product. And that's our strength right now, the music. We can go anywhere from My Chemical Romance to Ashley Tisdale and serve the whole family audience without the urban stuff that worries the parents around these parts.

 

[Beejus]

Not to leave a crap post... but I'm in the process of moving... I'll add my two cents when I get settled

 

[jackandcoke]

I'm the program director of a Hot AC station in Alabama, and I'm curious about how other people feel about a couple of topics regarding Hot AC radio. Maybe this will get some conversation going on this board.

First off...our station engineer gave me the job of deciding how we sound on-air (processing). I tweak with our settings all the time to see what kind of "flavors" we can end up with. But this is a question that's been on my mind for a while...how does your Hot AC station sound? Is it conservative -- like a mainstream AC, is it loud -- like a Top 40, or is it something completely different?

Secondly...what do you think the main attraction of Hot AC radio is now? Where is it going? I read a lot of articles that say it's personality-driven...but I think the music is the biggest thing now. What do you think?

Thanks to everybody who replies!

A. Hmmmm. How 'bout imagining a 10-point scale with "conservative" at one end & "loud" at the other; position your station on that spectrum, then translate it to the processing (I'm betting on a 7.5).

B. If you're fortunate enough to be able to find and can afford to hire air talents who are bright, fun, funny & engaging, hire them and let them be bright, fun, funny & engaging--did I forget "likeable"--on the air. Especially in mornings, but--if you're a truly lucky SOB--throughout the day. BTW, this goes for any format. Oh, you've got to keep giving them raises, too--and treating them like gold. Because they are. If you're in 'Bama, drive up I-65 til you can hear 97.9/WSIX, then copy them--but put Hot AC tunes where they have Country tunes. Plan on getting yelled at for having the highest AT budget in the company... and point to the revenue coming through the door.

On a slightly more focused note, great/stable personalities can help keep your audience through the periods of lousy music that happen in every format. Having said all that, the biggest reason people tune to your station in the first place is--ordinarily--the music. So play the right songs. And don't play the wrong songs.