Alternative songs on CHR

[kp2780]

These recent ALT songs all seem like they have CHR potential but have not gotten much/any CHR airplay. Why aren’t these songs given a chance? Or are they getting some spins but not a lot?

Dominic Fike- 3 Nights
Neon Trees- Used to Like
Lumineers- Gloria
AJR- Dear Winter
Vampire Weekend- This Life

The Vampire Weekend song might sound odd on CHR but it was only six to eight years ago that Fun had CHR hits with songs that were unique for CHR at the time.

And a few songs that might be too heavy for CHR but could be HOT AC hits:

Weezer- End of the Game
Catfish & the Bottlemen- 2all
White Reaper- Might be Right

 

[TheBigA]

These recent ALT songs all seem like they have CHR potential but have not gotten much/any CHR airplay. Why aren’t these songs given a chance?

The process by which songs get airplay on radio starts at the record label. Before that it starts with the artist, who has a lot of say in where their music is marketed. They communicate that to the record label, the record label's promotion staff develops a strategy for pitching the music to radio, and then the songs get played. There are fewer music decisions being made at the station level. And from what I see, radio stations are overwhelmed with choices of new music to add. It's rare that they'll look outside the format for new music. One exception this past year was Billie Eilish. She was a cross-format success. EDR music has crossed into CHR. Dan & Shay crossed into CHR from country. My sense is that some of these alt artists don't want to crossover. They like their existing fan base, and crossing to CHR will create hostility with their heritage fans. The alt world is smaller but very dedicated. CHR is larger but the music is more disposable. Once again, that's an artist decision.