Christmas Music 24/7

[angelbec]

Any bets on when KOST will be starting their Christmas Music Marathon? I say Friday, November 21st?

 

[wmgcbs]

Any bets on when KOST will be starting their Christmas Music Marathon? I say Friday, November 21st?

When did they start last year? I remember it being the day after their big 25th anniversary celebration, but I can't recall the day or date. KOST always seems to start a little bit before Thanksgiving, so I wouldn't be surprised if 11/21 were the date they change over to the ho-ho-holiday hits.

 

[angelbec]

I think it was the Friday before Thanksgiving - then a week or two later they fired Kim Amidon. I wonder this year if they will just keep it all the same or if with the new host they will try something different.

I know at one time they were #1 during that time when they did Christmas 24/7 ... but then other stations were doing similiar things ... so I was just wondering if they might change it up this year...

 

[oldies76]

Honestly, they should wait til good ole St. Nick passes Macy's in the NY Parade. Traditionally, that's when the Christmas season should begin, radio included. But who really listens to the traditionalists these days anymore.

 

[Bryan Simmons]

It's hard to believe but we've been getting calls on the request lines since September from people who want to know when we'll go Christmas, and in the next sentence asking us to start right away. Just goes to show you that some people want that holiday feeling as early as they can get it.

 

[Michael Rivers Kramer]

It's hard to believe but we've been getting calls on the request lines since September from people who want to know when we'll go Christmas, and in the next sentence asking us to start right away. Just goes to show you that some people want that holiday feeling as early as they can get it.

Yes....I'm getting in the Holiday spirit especially since it peaked around 96 degrees downtown today.

 

[YEKIMI]

I know there's a website that is christmas music 34/7 365 days a year but I can't remember the URL. Al I can say is Bah Humbug!

 

[christmasmusic247]

Hi all, This thread popped up in my GoogleAlerts because of the phrase "Christmas Music 24/7." Yekimi is maybe thinking of my online radio station, I play Christmas music year-round, in five different genres. The main site is http://www.christmasmusic247.com . Two of the stations are available in iTunes Radio, under the Religious category. Thanks, Mike

 

[angelbec]

Bryan Simmons - it was so cool that you responded. I think Christmas music before Halloween is pushing it. Mike - I have listened to your 24/7 Christmas station on-line and it's cool.

I guess I am just wondering if KOST will mix things up with Kim gone now. I looked at the calendar and it's only 4 weeks until Thanksgiving and then 4 more weeks until Christmas ... wow.. This year has flown.

In any event - I will stay tuned because it's only a few more weeks away until we see what KOST does!

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

I think Christmas music before Halloween is pushing it.

Why? Almost every retail store I've been in is already decked out for the holidays. Some started adding their Christmas themed merchandise BEFORE Labor Day. Considering the downturn in the economy and push by retailers this year to sell merchandise as early as possible, playing Christmas music as early as possible may be a great "feel-good" escape for listeners from all the economic troubles we are in and put them in the mood to buy. I'd start playing it as soon as Halloween or the election concludes.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

It's hard to believe but we've been getting calls on the request lines since September from people who want to know when we'll go Christmas, and in the next sentence asking us to start right away. Just goes to show you that some people want that holiday feeling as early as they can get it.

Yes....I'm getting in the Holiday spirit especially since it peaked around 96 degrees downtown today.

Los Angeles has had plenty of 90's days during the December Christmas shopping season in past years. Snow or cold temps have nothing to do with Christmas. The weather in Israel is not that much different from Los Angeles.

 

[david]

Los Angeles has had plenty of 90's days during the December Christmas shopping season in past years. Snow or cold temps have nothing to do with Christmas. The weather in Israel is not that much different from Los Angeles.

Glenn...Interesting comment about the weather in Israel, where Jesus was born and spent his entire life, in that indeed, the weather there is quite similar to LA and all of SoCal. Regarding Christmas retail and radio, I think it should be held until AFTER Thanksgiving. Starting it (holiday formats and in-store decorations and music) early is purely commercial and diminishes Halloween, and more importantly Thanksgiving: a holiday that represents freedom, national pride, family, food, and shopping - all wonderful things that need not be diminished by the retail aggressiveness associated with end-of-the-year holiday revenue desires.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

Los Angeles has had plenty of 90's days during the December Christmas shopping season in past years. Snow or cold temps have nothing to do with Christmas. The weather in Israel is not that much different from Los Angeles.

Glenn...Interesting comment about the weather in Israel, where Jesus was born and spent his entire life, in that indeed, the weather there is quite similar to LA and all of SoCal. Regarding Christmas retail and radio, I think it should be held until AFTER Thanksgiving. Starting it (holiday formats and in-store decorations and music) early is purely commercial and diminishes Halloween, and more importantly Thanksgiving: a holiday that represents freedom, national pride, family, food, and shopping - all wonderful things that need not be diminished by the retail aggressiveness associated with end-of-the-year holiday revenue desires.

Well, commercial radio is all about selling time and Christmas retail promotions have always started at the very least the days prior to Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving itself isn't a big holiday to radio - mostly just food retailers and restaurants advertising. Halloween retail receipts are down considerably this year. One thought is there were fewer parties being thrown due to our current economic situation. Starting early sales for Christmas is very important for any retailer who expects to do even just o.k. this year. I don't see why radio shouldn't get in on the shenanigans by playing Christmas music earlier than normal. I think a lot of people will want an escape from the general negative economic mood out there and their current situation.

Although I can see your points and I am one who is quite tired of the over-commercialization of Christmas, we must think in terms of the radio business here, not just our religious beliefs or patriotic feelings.

 

[scooty430]

It's hard to believe but we've been getting calls on the request lines since September from people who want to know when we'll go Christmas, and in the next sentence asking us to start right away. Just goes to show you that some people want that holiday feeling as early as they can get it.

Yes....I'm getting in the Holiday spirit especially since it peaked around 96 degrees downtown today.

Los Angeles has had plenty of 90's days during the December Christmas shopping season in past years. Snow or cold temps have nothing to do with Christmas. The weather in Israel is not that much different from Los Angeles.

The Christmas we celebrate is a blend of the Jesus tale, as well as winter solstice themes from many other cultures. A number of these traditions are from Europe, much of which has a snowy climate this time of year.

 

[Michael Rivers Kramer]

It's hard to believe but we've been getting calls on the request lines since September from people who want to know when we'll go Christmas, and in the next sentence asking us to start right away. Just goes to show you that some people want that holiday feeling as early as they can get it.

Yes....I'm getting in the Holiday spirit especially since it peaked around 96 degrees downtown today.

Los Angeles has had plenty of 90's days during the December Christmas shopping season in past years. Snow or cold temps have nothing to do with Christmas. The weather in Israel is not that much different from Los Angeles.

The Christmas we celebrate is a blend of the Jesus tale, as well as winter solstice themes from many other cultures. A number of these traditions are from Europe, much of which has a snowy climate this time of year.

This wall-to-wall Christmas thing didn't start until after 9/11. Gee I remember playing a couple of Christmas songs after Thanksgiving and then wall to wall Christmas beginning the afternoon on Christmas Eve. Right now it's an annual month long format change for some AC stations. It may give them a temporary boost for the fall book, by the time the numbers come out, the old listeners come back and the ones that tune in for Christmas are gone. It will be interesting to see what happens with the monthly people meter numbers.

I for one hate hearing "Let it Snow" any time of year. I've never lived in a snowy climate and now that I live in LA....Let it Snow, Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bells, Sleigh Ride and Baby it's Cold Outside sound absurd to me. Well, I guess I'm just weird!

 

[angelbec]

Does anyone remember that song that came out right after 9/11 during Christmas - it was done to the background of "Silent Night" and it had a man saying "Do you remember where you were when I called to you?" I think they played it for one Christmas season and then stopped.

I work in retail and it's hilarious because this guy came into the store last night and asked where the BBQ's were and I told him "Well - they are where the Christmas trees are now"

We both started laughing. What bugs me is that I know I will have to listen to Mariah Carey singing "All I want for Christmas" at least 20 times during my shift. I am just praying that I get enough hours this holiday season. Sales are wwaayy down. I do agree that people are trying to push Christmas this year because of the economy.

It's almost like we rush through Thanksgiving now. Halloween is really hyped - try buying an age appropriate costume for a young girl. These costumes are just ridiculous! I have heard "Monster Mash" and "Thriller" about 10 times today.

And I do agree that once the Christmas music ends most people go back to listening to whatever they were listening to before the holiday music started. I remember as a kid growing up I think it was KPOL that used to start to play Christmas music on Christmas Eve and then it was through all of that day and Christmas day and then at midnight it was back to regular programming.

Things have really changed...

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

It's hard to believe but we've been getting calls on the request lines since September from people who want to know when we'll go Christmas, and in the next sentence asking us to start right away. Just goes to show you that some people want that holiday feeling as early as they can get it.

Yes....I'm getting in the Holiday spirit especially since it peaked around 96 degrees downtown today.

Los Angeles has had plenty of 90's days during the December Christmas shopping season in past years. Snow or cold temps have nothing to do with Christmas. The weather in Israel is not that much different from Los Angeles.

The Christmas we celebrate is a blend of the Jesus tale, as well as winter solstice themes from many other cultures. A number of these traditions are from Europe, much of which has a snowy climate this time of year.

Just remember much of Los Angeles is rapidly becoming not much of European decent. Much of Mexico is warmer than Los Angeles in the winter, Central America is certainly warm year-round and South America has just begun summer days before Christmas day.

 

[Michael Rivers Kramer]

It's hard to believe but we've been getting calls on the request lines since September from people who want to know when we'll go Christmas, and in the next sentence asking us to start right away. Just goes to show you that some people want that holiday feeling as early as they can get it.

Yes....I'm getting in the Holiday spirit especially since it peaked around 96 degrees downtown today.

Los Angeles has had plenty of 90's days during the December Christmas shopping season in past years. Snow or cold temps have nothing to do with Christmas. The weather in Israel is not that much different from Los Angeles.

The Christmas we celebrate is a blend of the Jesus tale, as well as winter solstice themes from many other cultures. A number of these traditions are from Europe, much of which has a snowy climate this time of year.

Just remember much of Los Angeles is rapidly becoming not much of European decent. Much of Mexico is warmer than Los Angeles in the winter, Central America is certainly warm year-round and South America has just begun summer days before Christmas day.

That is so true. Still a month of Christmas Music? Maybe more? Gesh!

 

[davideduardo]

Much of Mexico is warmer than Los Angeles in the winter, Central America is certainly warm year-round and South America has just begun summer days before Christmas day.

South America is mostly in the tropics, and that includes Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, much of Brazil and Perú; there the weather is pretty much the same all year with minor changes in precipitation. Even more southern locations like Buenos Aires and Santiago have climates much like LA, not "wintery" like Buffalo.

The difference is that Christmas music is much less traditional, and the celebrations of Christmas and Three Kings Day are different, too.

 

[RadioFanBoy]

Starting it (holiday formats and in-store decorations and music) early is purely commercial and diminishes Halloween, and more importantly Thanksgiving: a holiday that represents freedom, national pride, family, food, and shopping - all wonderful things that need not be diminished by the retail aggressiveness associated with end-of-the-year holiday revenue desires.

Halloween seems safe enough (for now), but sadly, times being what they are, Tom Turkey was forced to merge a few years back, and now he's just a division of Jolly Old St. Nick Inc. :'(