Five Thirty Eight Article On Classic Rock Proves Just How Limited Eagle's Playlist Is

[DToTheJ]

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-classic-rock-isnt-what-it-used-to-be/

The author studied 25 classic rock stations across the country - including Tampa's "classic hits" 107.3 The Eagle - and broke them down into a few charts.

The one below is very telling: of the 25 most-played artists in the genre, a whopping six of them register in Tampa!

 

[DToTheJ]

Sorry - THIS is the chart I speak of...

 

[TheBigA]

They're the #2 station in Tampa. Perhaps if they tighten things up just a bit more, they'll go to #1.

 

[terabitz]

LOL they should have studied Thunder...they have only around 500 songs on their whole list.

 

[coolaid213]

The Eagle's playlist is horrible. It has changed a lot in the past few years, including a lot more 80's and 90's since The Bone went talk. I don't argue with the ratings, I know the ratings are good for 107.3 and that's because they play the same 20 songs that they know some people will always like... I think it's boring though, that's why I listen to Bubba 98.7 or the playlist on my phone.

 

[TheBigA]

they play the same 20 songs that they know some people will always like...

You mean "most people." If most people wanted big playlists, that's what they'd do. But most people don't.

 

[coolaid213]

I disagree, "most people" don't have a choice in the matter. 100% of people will either take what they're given, or turn their radio off. Judging from statistics, a lot of people have been turning their radios off. If "most people" want 20 song playlists, then radio listenership overall would be up, but it's not. Boom

 

[ok walters]

I disagree, "most people" don't have a choice in the matter. 100% of people will either take what they're given, or turn their radio off. Judging from statistics, a lot of people have been turning their radios off. If "most people" want 20 song playlists, then radio listenership overall would be up, but it's not. Boom

And if people really loved pay phones, they would be on every corner. Except there are now plenty of other options - just like radio. Lots of factors in declining radio numbers, and playlist length is way down that list. Until shorter playlists start drawing bad ratings - they dominate now and have for the last several decades - broadcasters will do what makes the most money as they are in it for profit and don't use emotion as a decision making tool. Generally, the longer the playlist the further down the ratings list you will find the station. You may not like it, but it is what it is. Boom.

 

[TheBigA]

I disagree, "most people" don't have a choice in the matter. 100% of people will either take what they're given, or turn their radio off.

Not with this format. This is a format that has far more listener loyalty than pop. And in markets where listeners have a choice, most prefer to hear actual hits than filler. In city after city, classic hits is consistently at the top of the ratings, just as it is in Tampa.