First, Hot 96.9 is not going to step out on every new song, even by core artists. They have the luxury of having three other pop stations in town "testing" them to see if they become hits, and once they're established...THEN they can add them. In their format (Rhythmic AC) some songs are "out of the box" adds. Others you wait on. It's all about playing familiar music to their core, adult audience.
Second, Hot has clearly hurt Jam'n. The dirty little secret no one wants to admit....the key to 94.5's success was their older audience. Because of their 20 year heritage, and the fact that there was no urban station in town for most of their existence, Jam'n had a sizable 25+ audience that grew up with them. That's why at one time they were a top 5 25-54 station. That's why they weren't as aggressive as other rhythmic stations around the country in regards to music. They were the defacto "pop" station for the minority audience of all demographics, as well as being the teen station.
Now, the perfect storm has hit 94.5. Their longtime morning show is competing with them across the street on a new station specifically designed to steal their older demos. The kids aren't listening as much to terrestrial radio anymore. And...the rhythmic product is in a down cycle right now. Hate to say it, but going urban, skewing younger, and becoming more "street" is the LAST thing Jam'n wants to do. You can't sell that, no matter what the ratings say. They used to own young adults in the suburbs...where the money is. Now that group is scattered among several stations...and various internet options.
Unless the music product turns around or the station can identify an untapped niche within the format that they can sell...I'm not sure Jam'n survives this....
