CLEAR CHANNEL CHRS AND BRIBES FROM LABELS

[TheBigA]

Obviously, Cumulus potentially accepting bribes from labels is just as serious as Clear Channel doing it - the difference is though IMO that controlling Clear Channel means effectively controlling the CHR chart - when a majority of Clear Channel stations add a song into medium rotation it results in a +2000 bullet on the pop chart...same thing when they all move a song into power

But why would a radio company move a song into heavy if it knows its audience will tune out when that song gets played?

 

[atlantaboy]

^From the stuff I've read, it's gotta be a song people don't mind hearing - if you try to push a song that too many people dislike (like Judas), it falls apart

I don't think there's any question that a majority of listeners like the songs being put into power - to me, the issue is whether there are tons of other songs out there that people would like equally, but the artists don't have the capital, political connections, etc. to make that happen with a large company like Clear Channel

 

[TheBigA]

I don't think there's any question that a majority of listeners like the songs being put into power - to me, the issue is whether there are tons of other songs out there that people would like equally, but the artists don't have the capital, political connections, etc. to make that happen with a large company like Clear Channel

That's why it's called the music business. That's why there's a premium to get signed to a major label, and artists will often give up a lot to get the major label deal. There has to be something in it for the artist, or they wouldn't do it. Radio doesn't profit from the music business. They get no cut of album sales, concert grosses, or songwriter royalties. The only benefit a radio station gets from playing music is that the audience will continue listening a little longer. I'd love to see an artist make a media deal with a broadcaster and give them a cut on the profits. But so far, that hasn't happened. Artists who get airplay get rich. That's a fact. If they didn't, and it was all for the love of music, the game would be different. But it's not, and this is a reality that everyone knows.

The other way to do it, and some artists do it, is to work a lot harder. Hop in a van and take your music from town to town and build from the bottom up. Build word of mouth, get people talking about you, visit radio stations, and do the politics yourself. It still can be done, but it's so much easier to let someone else do it for you, and make that big multi-station deal. A lot of artists simply don't want to do the work.

 

[atlantaboy]

I don't think there's any question that a majority of listeners like the songs being put into power - to me, the issue is whether there are tons of other songs out there that people would like equally, but the artists don't have the capital, political connections, etc. to make that happen with a large company like Clear Channel

That's why it's called the music business. That's why there's a premium to get signed to a major label, and artists will often give up a lot to get the major label deal. There has to be something in it for the artist, or they wouldn't do it. Radio doesn't profit from the music business. They get no cut of album sales, concert grosses, or songwriter royalties. The only benefit a radio station gets from playing music is that the audience will continue listening a little longer. I'd love to see an artist make a media deal with a broadcaster and give them a cut on the profits. But so far, that hasn't happened. Artists who get airplay get rich. That's a fact. If they didn't, and it was all for the love of music, the game would be different. But it's not, and this is a reality that everyone knows.

The other way to do it, and some artists do it, is to work a lot harder. Hop in a van and take your music from town to town and build from the bottom up. Build word of mouth, get people talking about you, visit radio stations, and do the politics yourself. It still can be done, but it's so much easier to let someone else do it for you, and make that big multi-station deal. A lot of artists simply don't want to do the work.

I agree with you on all this - I guess I just feel like Citadel and Entercom were so ready to take risks on new music, and throughout the past few years have been really supportive of giving "underdogs" a chance, whereas most Clear Channel stations (with a few exceptions) have been really resistant to play anything that doesn't already have a lot of "buzz" around it

 

[TheBigA]

I just feel like Citadel and Entercom were so ready to take risks on new music, and throughout the past few years have been really supportive of giving "underdogs" a chance, whereas most Clear Channel stations (with a few exceptions) have been really resistant to play anything that doesn't already have a lot of "buzz" around it

I don't think I'd agree with that characterization. It really depends on the markets, but some CC stations have a lot of independence in the music they choose. When I compare published playlists, I'm often surprised with who takes chances and who doesn't.

But in this world where an artist can create lots of buzz easily and usually for free, it seems that money is becoming less important. As we saw with Rebecca Black, it's not always the best music that attracts the most buzz, but those who make good music could really learn a lot by watching and emulating what works.