I had attended the Promo Only Summer Sessions in Atlantic City, a big industry "pow-wow" that, in many ways, is surpassing the Winter Music Conference in terms of importance.
Upon hearing the radio panel, specifically Joel Salkowitz and Rob Wagman (APD/Music Director - 92.3 Now), with the latter seeing an increase in cume primarily because of the dance/rhythmic adds, the shift appears to be going towards CHR with a dance friendly lean, similar to Z-103.5 in Toronto.
Saying this, I also have learned how PPM has REALLY taken a philosophical "hit" in terms of how radio has been forced to change its thinking, with Salkowitz saying in effect that PPM has made the industry "slaves" to it because while they have to follow those numbers, it can't take to specific effect WHERE a person specifically is when and why people "click off", most of which has nothing to do with the sound of a station (person could have went to work, the bathroom, etc.)
With that sort of thinking and yet at the same time seeing what is going on in front of us, and admittedly I'm solely basing this on New York City, as long as the numbers of 92.3 Now rise up (and if 'KTU rises along with them following similar programming methodology), I honestly think we will see more CHR stations down the road become "dance friendly".
It's not really a question of whether "pure dance" stations can work, I still believe that they can. However, I am now seeing it based on the restrictions of PPM and how programmers (and not just CHR stations) are being forced to rethink their strategies because of it.
In the best case scenario for dance, I can envision more CHR stations being "dance friendly" so as long as they have direct competition within their own markets (meaning at least 2 CHR stations within the marketplace). That is why things are improving for the music in terms of NYC. With 92.3 Now having Medina "Addiction" and Swedish House Mafia "Save The World" on rotation, which is something that Z-100 may not have on rotation, that is indeed a great start and yet at the same time a great risk because you still have a "misunderstanding" amongst corporate suits of what dance music is. So to that, these programmers/music directors are taking a GREAT risk doing what they are doing because of being "slaves" to the PPM as well as the corporate "restrictions"
I said it another thread about having to "accept" artists like Rihanna, Chris Brown, Akon, etc....not that you have to go out and buy their music if you don't like them but at least not complaining or whining about them if they are doing tracks that are respectable to dance. With that, there can be room for more of our core branded artists.
I think in time, stations that are "pure dance" can come down the road, but for now "dance friendly" is what we all need to focus on. It looks good!
(Sorry for the length)
TS
Upon hearing the radio panel, specifically Joel Salkowitz and Rob Wagman (APD/Music Director - 92.3 Now), with the latter seeing an increase in cume primarily because of the dance/rhythmic adds, the shift appears to be going towards CHR with a dance friendly lean, similar to Z-103.5 in Toronto.
Saying this, I also have learned how PPM has REALLY taken a philosophical "hit" in terms of how radio has been forced to change its thinking, with Salkowitz saying in effect that PPM has made the industry "slaves" to it because while they have to follow those numbers, it can't take to specific effect WHERE a person specifically is when and why people "click off", most of which has nothing to do with the sound of a station (person could have went to work, the bathroom, etc.)
With that sort of thinking and yet at the same time seeing what is going on in front of us, and admittedly I'm solely basing this on New York City, as long as the numbers of 92.3 Now rise up (and if 'KTU rises along with them following similar programming methodology), I honestly think we will see more CHR stations down the road become "dance friendly".
It's not really a question of whether "pure dance" stations can work, I still believe that they can. However, I am now seeing it based on the restrictions of PPM and how programmers (and not just CHR stations) are being forced to rethink their strategies because of it.
In the best case scenario for dance, I can envision more CHR stations being "dance friendly" so as long as they have direct competition within their own markets (meaning at least 2 CHR stations within the marketplace). That is why things are improving for the music in terms of NYC. With 92.3 Now having Medina "Addiction" and Swedish House Mafia "Save The World" on rotation, which is something that Z-100 may not have on rotation, that is indeed a great start and yet at the same time a great risk because you still have a "misunderstanding" amongst corporate suits of what dance music is. So to that, these programmers/music directors are taking a GREAT risk doing what they are doing because of being "slaves" to the PPM as well as the corporate "restrictions"
I said it another thread about having to "accept" artists like Rihanna, Chris Brown, Akon, etc....not that you have to go out and buy their music if you don't like them but at least not complaining or whining about them if they are doing tracks that are respectable to dance. With that, there can be room for more of our core branded artists.
I think in time, stations that are "pure dance" can come down the road, but for now "dance friendly" is what we all need to focus on. It looks good!
(Sorry for the length)
TS