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CHR/Top 40

N

newguy16

Why is it that there are so many markets in PA without a CHR/Top 40 station? Outside Pittsburgh, Philly, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Lancaster and Allentown, are there any true CHR’s left in this state? All of the Seven Mountains “Pop!” stations are bona fide Hot AC’s even though they image them as CHR, and even those are mostly on translators that can’t be heard two miles outside of town. There must be enough people who want new music (other than country) in central/northern PA to make CHR work there, aren’t there? If the format can work in tiny markets like Cumberland, MD and Wheeling, WV, it certainly should be able to work in Altoona and Meadville, shouldn’t it?
 
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newguy16 said:
Why is it that there are so many markets in PA without a CHR/Top 40 station? Outside Pittsburgh, Philly, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Lancaster and Allentown, are there any true CHR’s left in this state? All of the Seven Mountains “Pop!” stations are bona fide Hot AC’s even though they image them as CHR, and even those are mostly on translators that can’t be heard two miles outside of town. There must be enough people who want new music (other than country) in central/northern PA to make CHR work there, aren’t there? If the format can work in tiny markets like Cumberland, MD and Wheeling, WV, it certainly should be able to work in Altoona and Meadville, shouldn’t it?
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iHeart has Star 104 in Erie (and Happi 927 exists in Erie too). There's also iHeart's V97 in Williamsport, as well as Hot 107.9 in Williamsport.

Also, CHR wasn't hot for a while. The format just went through a doldrums period that it's starting to dig itself out of. CHR is also getting tough to make money from as the younger listener base shrinks as they go to streaming and other audio sources.
 
newguy16 said:
Why is it that there are so many markets in PA without a CHR/Top 40 station?
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It's an interesting question. I agree with the previous poster that CHR hasn't been as dependable for attracting younger demos as it once was. Radio companies have choices to make, and there are only so many stations in any given town. Sometimes the second country station gets better numbers than the only Top 40. There is no requirement that every format must be available in every market. There is no need to fill format holes.
 
newguy16 said:
If the format can work in tiny markets like Cumberland, MD and Wheeling, WV, it certainly should be able to work in Altoona and Meadville, shouldn’t it?
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Altoona had a CHR in the form of Hot 100 until 2023 , when it flipped to AC. PA is a land full of country and rock. CHR does not preform too well here , and nationally for a lot of markets.
 
94.1 QZK isn't really a Top 40/CHR anymore in Cumberland, MD. Lots of Ed Sheeran and old Maroon 5 and WAY too many "throwback" songs. 98 YCR in York was one of the greatest CHR stations of all time.
 
Les Talk said:
94.1 QZK isn't really a Top 40/CHR anymore in Cumberland, MD. Lots of Ed Sheeran and old Maroon 5 and WAY too many "throwback" songs. 98 YCR in York was one of the greatest CHR stations of all time.
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A LOT of CHR stations across the nation have been incorporating more "throwback" type songs in the past few years during the CHR doldrums. It's not something that's exclusive to QZK
 
... And I get that, which is unfortunate, because if a station is truly a CHR playing all the hits there is PLENTY to play that is new. But not only do QZK and sister VAQ often play songs that are 10+ years old, the music is way too adult leaning. Songs like She Will Be Loved or Shape Of You should not be on a CHR station in 2026.
 
Les Talk said:
if a station is truly a CHR playing all the hits there is PLENTY to play that is new.
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I hear that about a lot of formats. Not all new songs are equal in terms of popular appeal. Just playing them on the radio doesn't make them popular.

On the other hand if there's a proven song that has been #1 on the Hot 100 for ten weeks, perhaps it's a hit.

musicobserver.com

Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" Sets All-Time Hot 100 Record for Female Country Artists - Music Observer

Ella Langley’s record-breaking single has now spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making her the female country artist with the longest reign atop the all-genre chart. Behind it: a kangaroo story, a Miranda Lambert co-write, and the most dominant run in country crossover since...
musicobserver.com musicobserver.com
 
But suppose a station in a 4 hour sample omits the #5, 7, and 10th rated song in the country.... and instead plays 20 songs that are 10 plus years old. Some of those throwbacks or gold from the same artists generally almost always Beyonce, Rihanna, etc. - wouldn't a more well rounded true CHR sound better that at least played all of the top 20 instead of burned out gold music?
 
Les Talk said:
... And I get that, which is unfortunate, because if a station is truly a CHR playing all the hits there is PLENTY to play that is new. But not only do QZK and sister VAQ often play songs that are 10+ years old, the music is way too adult leaning. Songs like She Will Be Loved or Shape Of You should not be on a CHR station in 2026.
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Z100 in New York plays Nsync and Backstreet Boys.
 
But should a CHR ignore current hits and not play the top 10, in say a 4 hour time span, and lean heavily gold? And in WVAQ/WQZK's case - adult contemporary gold.
 
Les Talk said:
Their only competition musically is a classic rocker, and country. For semi-current non country music it's them or nothing.
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Right now the biggest competition is the internet. It's why radio listening is down, and why stations like this have to play gold.

If playing more currents would get them a 15 share, that's what they'd play. They're not in the free music delivery business.
 


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