Future of smooth jazz radio

[AC Tones]

Mr. Gleason seems to be a man of unlimited answers, but he conspicuously failed to provide any for this prophetic piece that was written by one estute listener 8 years ago:

Clear Channel is Ruining Your Radio
source: Texas Monthly

http://www.joenickp.com/music/distresssignal.html

If you have never heard of a San Antonio company called Clear Channel Communications, it's because you aren't listening. From its unlikely nerve center in south-central Texas, this once modest, family-run owner of a handful of radio and television stations has exploded into a media giant, dominating radio like no single entity ever has before. Unleashed by government deregulation in 1996, founder Lowry Mays shelled out billions for properties like Jacor Communications and Tom Hicks's AMFM, formerly the biggest radio conglomerate in the country. Today one of every ten commercial radio stations in the United States belongs to Clear Channel-including six stations in Dallas-Fort Worth, eight stations in Houston, seven stations in San Antonio, six stations in Austin, six in El Paso-a total of more than 1,200 domestic channels in some 250 markets. Its closest rival, Cumulus Broadcasting, has 240 stations.....

All of this may sound like harmless, run-of-the-mill media giantism in the early twenty-first century. Unfortunately it's not, especially the way the Mays family-Lowry and his sons, Mark and Randall, the company's iron triangle-plays the game. In fact, they give new meaning to the phrase "control of the airwaves." Their size and aggressiveness have given them unprecedented say not only over what you hear on the radio all over the country but in how music is sold, promoted, and performed. As the big guys on the block-who dictate programming at 1,200 stations they are more responsible than anyone else for the cookie-cutter state of radio, where more and more stations sound the same, no matter where you go.

posted on October 27, 2001 05:56 PM



[URL added by Radio-Info as a courtesy]

 

[mock3]

I've been listening to http://ultrasmoothjazz.com/ the past several days. Try the Sunday Brunch Channel. It's just like what New Adult Contemporary stations used to sound like in the late 80s and early 90s. In fact, much of the playlist is from that period. You'll hear all of those tracks, plus they play select new tracks that fit the sound. I enjoy XM Watercolors, but this Sunday Brunch Channel is even deeper and better. They play album cuts. It's programmed by Rick O'Dell and it's awesome!

 

[majaman78]

I've been listening to http://ultrasmoothjazz.com/ the past several days. Try the Sunday Brunch Channel. It's just like what New Adult Contemporary stations used to sound like in the late 80s and early 90s. In fact, much of the playlist is from that period. You'll hear all of those tracks, plus they play select new tracks that fit the sound. I enjoy XM Watercolors, but this Sunday Brunch Channel is even deeper and better. They play album cuts. It's programmed by Rick O'Dell and it's awesome!

Just another good example of the programming available for smooth jazz fans.

Why we continue to battle over what terrestrial radio does makes me wonder why I waste my time, it just isn't worth the effort.

 

[davideduardo]

Mr. Gleason seems to be a man of unlimited answers, but he conspicuously failed to provide any for this prophetic piece that was written by one estute listener 8 years ago:

Today one of every ten commercial radio stations in the United States belongs to Clear Channel

Today, Clear owns 846 stations out of 15,175 in the US per BIA. That is about 5% of all stations. Clear scaled down when they realized that managing smaller markets that contributed only tiny amounts to the bottom line cost just as much as supervising larger markets and distracted the company. After all, close to 30% of all radi revenues in the US are in the top 10 markets.

Oh, and so what if they own six stations in Detroit? That market has 65 licensed stations in its metro; the same sort of math prevails when looking at Dallas or Houston or New York or LA.

Its closest rival, Cumulus Broadcasting, has 240 stations.....

Actually, in terms of total stations, Cumulus owns 340 when the separete but jointly managed private equity component that bought the Susquehanna stations.

All of this may sound like harmless, run-of-the-mill media giantism in the early twenty-first century. Unfortunately it's not, especially the way the Mays family-Lowry and his sons, Mark and Randall, the company's iron triangle-plays the game. In fact, they give new meaning to the phrase "control of the airwaves." Their size and aggressiveness have given them unprecedented say not only over what you hear on the radio all over the country but in how music is sold, promoted, and performed. As the big guys on the block-who dictate programming at 1,200 stations they are more responsible than anyone else for the cookie-cutter state of radio, where more and more stations sound the same, no matter where you go.

Clear divested Live Nation years ago by distributing shares to the sharholders at the time. Now, all the shares of Clear have been bought by private equity groups and there is little to the argument that Clear controls music, venues and performances. As to total non-issus, my count shows about 4 major points in that nearly decade-old article you posted that just are not fact or relevant today.

 

[davideduardo]

With all due respect, if I had wanted your opinion on how I've use the experience I've gain with others then I would have hired you as a consultant

Simply stated, if you post something on an internet forum, you can expect that someone may have a different view... wrong or right or just a difference of opinion.

but sorry, I have more important things to do with my money.

... like doing 450 one on one interviews instead of 25. Right. A well recruited one on one project would cost in the range of $150 per person, without including the allocated cost of the meeting or focus group facility used. And, since BA has the exclusive on the MSI dial technolology, I'd be curious how you did moment to moment pods, etc. And what software, since you would not have PA (which even Fox News and CNN used in the election focus groups) you used for all those interviews.

Besides I don't think you would have the time.

I have plenty of time. even working 50 or so hours a week, a person has breaks, multitasks while watching TV, etc. It's enough time to do a variety of other projects, one of which is at the link below.

You've been posting on Radio-Info since 2003 and have written (as of this posting) 16702 times. That breaks out to roughly 2783 times a year and just over 7.6 times a day.

I believe the count goes back pre-radio-info to the original board, since initially all the messages from it were preserved.

Anyway, I type fast. And right now, I'm just kicking back using GoGo on American flying from NYC to LA. Pretty cool way of making a 6 hour flight go faster.

The call for a specialist of your nature must be way down for you to be able to spend so much time here.

Of course, this is building into an ad hominem, and I'm just feeding the troll to se what the next stage is. A well fed troll generally pukes, so that's what I expect. As nearly everyone knows, when one side of an argument runs out of facts, logic or detail, the first recourse is to an ad hominen attack on the person, not the opinions expressed.

Thank you for such valuable insight. When I need someone who has the experience you do in "everything", then we'll talk. Have a great day!

Why, thank you. And you as well.

 

[GMan4341]

"I'm excited for the future because I know that's it's not about just knowing radio anymore or will ever be again. It's about having the right content that creates conversation and community like it's being done on KIFM. Don't go where the path may lead, but instead make your own path and leave a trail. Take that pent up anger for BA and our own mistakes to build better product, no matter what the delivery system might be. It's really up to us!

I have to agreed with Mr. Harmonic. The future of smooth jazz IS up to us..those who love the sounds, the emotion that comes from listening to smooth jazz, like Dave Koz, Norman Brown, Boney James, etc. As I look at the music store shelves, I get upset to see the smooth jazz selection dwindling down to 1 or 2 sections wheras R&B and other genres have rows of selections. Here in the ATL, we have nothing left to listen to daily when it come to smooth jazz and what's new and new artists in SJ since 107.5 flipped to old school R&B. Sure, I could turn to an IPOD or MP3 player, but eventually the selection I currently own would become stale after awhile. I would LOVE to own and operate an FM frequency here for smooth jazz with the right rotation of mostly instrumental and limited vocals smooth jazz music. But, the BIG question is WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?? As I said in previous posts on this site, when 107.5 was alive, many businesses here played that station..from the banks to the business offices to the local food courts where everyone could hear and not be offended. So what do we need to do to revitalize Smooth jazz's image and improve its ratings??

 

[AC Tones]

GMan, welcome back to the forum! You answered your own question. Bill's analysis was spot on. We as small station owners, innovative programmers, and fans have to take matters into our own hands because we can't rely on anyone else to do it for us. I have worked tirelessly to network my little 24/7 hobby all for the common good, to both give listeners an alternative to the "cookie-cutter radio" they have been subjected to and to get the message out that the format is VIABLE and is here to stay on the Internet, but CAN re-emerge on terrestrial radio with some "out-of-the-box" thinking and programming. While I have no prior experience in radio, I have slowly over the past year built some great relationships with both industry folks who share my vision and passion, as well as artists who have suffered from reduced airplay and exposure. One thing we should all keep in mind is what Bill (I and others) have said on this board time and time again, "Follow your instincts, and play good music." While we all have slightly varying tastes, I think our ears are sharp enough to know good creative programming when we hear it. And let me tell you, there is PLENTY of "good music" that has been released this year. The artists have gotten the message that their fans are fed up with where radio has gone, and are cutting more complete and creative projects compared to recent years. They are also embracing the Internet as the future of the format because programmers are no subjected to the kind of pressure from corporate thugs that terrestrial affiliates face to play only what they want them to play.

Keep the faith, man!!! The future is far brighter than some would make you believe!!

Chris

 

[AC Tones]

BUMP. Tired of living in the past talking about old, outdated, and so-called proven/tried and true historical models and expert consultation. It's time to talk about the future. Corporate-driven terrestrial radio STINKS, plain and simple, and cannot succeed in this day and age in the face of financially-crippling overhead, declining advertising revenue, shrinking playlists, and narrowminded groupthink that leads to constant format flips and station owners seeing red (as in bankruptcy). The product is dull and uninteresting ACROSS ALL GENRES, and has been for well over a decade. More and more listeners are turning to the Internet for more imaginative and diverse programming. It is a bitter pill to swallow for some, but the future of radio is now, and it does NOT involve those who cling to the notion that a small number of self-proclaimed geniuses ultimately determine radio's content because they know FAR better than the scores of uneducated and uninformed listeners.

 

[majaman78]

I would LOVE to own and operate an FM frequency here for smooth jazz with the right rotation of mostly instrumental and limited vocals smooth jazz music. But, the BIG question is WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?? As I said in previous posts on this site, when 107.5 was alive, many businesses here played that station..from the banks to the business offices to the local food courts where everyone could hear and not be offended. So what do we need to do to revitalize Smooth jazz's image and improve its ratings??

Think of terrestrial radio where television was 30 years ago. How great was it getting 3 or 4 channels over your rabbit ears?

Take a look at what you have now on your cable or dish (in fact watch what happens to cable in during the next few years)!

Ain't too hard to figure out where this and other music formats are going AND I'M GETTING MORE EXCITED BY THE DAY! I'm hearing great new smooth jazz, chill, and new age tunes daily. Now more than ever! Both at home and in my car as well!

And thank god for another great innovation...mp3 files...otherwise my CD collection would be growing like it was in the early 90's when I purchased on the average around 20 CD's a month just to get that ONE single tune off of most of them when smooth jazz stations still played good music!!!!

Yeeeeehaaawwwwwwww!!! Isn't technology great!!!!!! We're finally getting what we want!!!

 

[davideduardo]

It is a bitter pill to swallow for some, but the future of radio is now, and it does NOT involve those who cling to the notion that a small number of self-proclaimed geniuses ultimately determine radio's content because they know FAR better than the scores of uneducated and uninformed listeners.

I don't know anyone who thinks that the content should be determined by programmers without significant consultation with the listeners themselves. That's why millions and millions are spent each year by stations to find out what listeners actually want.

 

[recto101]

I would LOVE to own and operate an FM frequency here for smooth jazz with the right rotation of mostly instrumental and limited vocals smooth jazz music. But, the BIG question is WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?? As I said in previous posts on this site, when 107.5 was alive, many businesses here played that station..from the banks to the business offices to the local food courts where everyone could hear and not be offended. So what do we need to do to revitalize Smooth jazz's image and improve its ratings??

Think of terrestrial radio where television was 30 years ago. How great was it getting 3 or 4 channels over your rabbit ears?

Take a look at what you have now on your cable or dish (in fact watch what happens to cable in during the next few years)!

Ain't too hard to figure out where this and other music formats are going AND I'M GETTING MORE EXCITED BY THE DAY! I'm hearing great new smooth jazz, chill, and new age tunes daily. Now more than ever! Both at home and in my car as well!

And thank god for another great innovation...mp3 files...otherwise my CD collection would be growing like it was in the early 90's when I purchased on the average around 20 CD's a month just to get that ONE single tune off of most of them when smooth jazz stations still played good music!!!!

Yeeeeehaaawwwwwwww!!! Isn't technology great!!!!!! We're finally getting what we want!!!

I like NAC on the web its way better.

 

[icycool7227]

Actually David, I read your posts all the time and agree with everything you've said. You're a very intelligent poster.

Then you know what, David?

Just leave us alone and go visit your 25-54 year old pals at the hip-hop/rap board!

You made your point that you dislike the format over here, so why waste your time with all of us 55+ demos???

It's really too bad the radio-info board doesn't have an "ignore" feature, you'd be the first I'd use it on!

Who said I disliked the format? Like or dislike for a format has nothing to do with the economic reality of commercial radio. There are many formats we'd love to do, but can't because there is little or no advertiser interest... which is not to say that some of those formats don't have great music or entertainment value!

Any station that depends at all on agency buys for its revenue has to focus on the ages that agency clients specify... generally all or part of 18-54. Liking or disliking a format has little to do with either the buying or selling side of radio, so the question is, simply, whether a format delivers enough listeners in the sales demos to be profitable.

A little reality might help people like you to understand that the changes in smooth jazz stations have nothing to do with "corporate suits" or a disdain for the music... just with the reality of sales. And, to try to keep the format sales-viable, BA and others have tried to adapt the sound for today's under-55 listener.

Oh, my first radio job was at an all jazz station. So I have no negative feelings for the format... and while smooth jazz is not the same as the Tjader/Coletrane/Monk/Brubeck things we played, there is a kinship between the two.

 

[AC Tones]

Actually David, I read your posts all the time and agree with everything you've said. You're a very intelligent poster.

Then you know what, David?

Just leave us alone and go visit your 25-54 year old pals at the hip-hop/rap board!

You made your point that you dislike the format over here, so why waste your time with all of us 55+ demos???

It's really too bad the radio-info board doesn't have an "ignore" feature, you'd be the first I'd use it on!

Who said I disliked the format? Like or dislike for a format has nothing to do with the economic reality of commercial radio. There are many formats we'd love to do, but can't because there is little or no advertiser interest... which is not to say that some of those formats don't have great music or entertainment value!

Any station that depends at all on agency buys for its revenue has to focus on the ages that agency clients specify... generally all or part of 18-54. Liking or disliking a format has little to do with either the buying or selling side of radio, so the question is, simply, whether a format delivers enough listeners in the sales demos to be profitable.

A little reality might help people like you to understand that the changes in smooth jazz stations have nothing to do with "corporate suits" or a disdain for the music... just with the reality of sales. And, to try to keep the format sales-viable, BA and others have tried to adapt the sound for today's under-55 listener.

Oh, my first radio job was at an all jazz station. So I have no negative feelings for the format... and while smooth jazz is not the same as the Tjader/Coletrane/Monk/Brubeck things we played, there is a kinship between the two.

Actually, Carol Archer's column this week provides some very nice insight/viewpoints into the "The Future Of Smooth Jazz Radio," some of the great things they are doing in Canada, the role of the Internet in this process, innovative approaches to programming, and reconnecting with local listeners. There is also a great quote in her column from the late Steve Feinstein (KKSF). Had we listened to guys like Steve in 1995, it would be interesting to see where we would be today:

http://www.allthatjazzinc.com/index_files/page0058.html