Finally, the Hot 100 is starting to reflect Pop culture the way it used to.
The number one song doesn't need to be a thought-provoking, long-lasting quality record - it's about what's hot. Right now 30 seconds of the novelty tune "Harlem Shake" are what's hot with teens and young adults (at colleges, in the work place, etc.).
Does it mean radio has to drop everything it's doing and bang this record every hour? No, but it could easily make the effort to give it some airplay. You can fit into daily mixshows, nightly countdowns, at-work lunchtime requests, medium rotation, etc.
Radio should take advantage of the fact that this record is a hit with its target audience
Kudos to Hot 100.5 Norfolk for living up to their name (HOT) and being an easy supporter - they've given this record nearly 30 spins in the past week.
The "Harlem Shake" is also finding its way into the playlist of several high-profile/influential CHRs like
Y-100 Miami
99.7 Radio Now San Francisco
Kiss 98.5 Buffalo
K-104 Hudson Valley
Hot 99.5 Washington DC
104.5 SNX Grand Rapids
Even Cumulus-owned I-106 Nashville (which is unique as it's also owned by Volt) already jumped on this one.
Remember, CHR radio is a current-based Pop format that's about being fun, playing the big hits of major artists as well as playing disposable stuff that the masses are into.
FYI, to all the Pop/Rock fans, Hot 100.5 Norfolk also played "I Will Wait" by Mumford & Sons 64 times this past week