How much do you use the Hot AC chart?

[whit979]

I feel like I'm programming a Modern AC or a AAA station lately. Maybe I'm the only one....but c'mon....this new stuff my Matchbox Twenty, The Fray, Amy Winehouse, Colbie Caillat, etc etc etc....just doesn't seem like the kind of 'gold' material that so many Hot ACs thrive on. So, for everybody else, how much emphasis do you put on the Hot AC charts and other Hot AC stations out there? In what direction is Hot AC headed?

 

[Double_R]

I think the Hot AC chart is an important tool in music choices for your station, however, I think as a programmer you must look at other areas. Music research is a big plus. Most places do not have local research choices, so if you have access to it, check out Rate the Music, MMR has some call out research on their site, and find a few stations that you want your station to sound like and follow what they are doing.


Also, in my opinion it depends on what chart you are using..

Who, and where to you get your charts and research from?

Lastly, how fast are you adding records and how deep on the chart are you going?

 

[whit979]

I think the Hot AC chart is an important tool in music choices for your station, however, I think as a programmer you must look at other areas. Music research is a big plus. Most places do not have local research choices, so if you have access to it, check out Rate the Music, MMR has some call out research on their site, and find a few stations that you want your station to sound like and follow what they are doing.


Also, in my opinion it depends on what chart you are using..

Who, and where to you get your charts and research from?

Lastly, how fast are you adding records and how deep on the chart are you going?

I'm using Mediabase 24/7. The published panel for Hot AC. I try to keep an eye on the callout data, but I honestly don't give it much weight in the big scheme of things. I'm not sure how I'm doing on adding music. I only go about as deep as the top 30. Nothing really outside of that unless it's a huge smash in CHR and it isn't rap. I typically wait until a song hits the top 20-25 before adding it as fulltime new. Is that too conservative?

 

[Beejus]

I think the Hot AC chart is an important tool in music choices for your station, however, I think as a programmer you must look at other areas. Music research is a big plus. Most places do not have local research choices, so if you have access to it, check out Rate the Music, MMR has some call out research on their site, and find a few stations that you want your station to sound like and follow what they are doing.


Also, in my opinion it depends on what chart you are using..

Who, and where to you get your charts and research from?

Lastly, how fast are you adding records and how deep on the chart are you going?

I'm using Mediabase 24/7. The published panel for Hot AC. I try to keep an eye on the callout data, but I honestly don't give it much weight in the big scheme of things. I'm not sure how I'm doing on adding music. I only go about as deep as the top 30. Nothing really outside of that unless it's a huge smash in CHR and it isn't rap. I typically wait until a song hits the top 20-25 before adding it as fulltime new. Is that too conservative?

It depends on your programming style and your listeners. I take pride in jumping on new stuff early. In all honesty... I'll look at the Hot AC chart to get a barometer of how things are doing nationally, but not use it as a guideline. I'll look at Alt, CHR and AAA to see what's going on their sides as well, and look at RateTheMusic to see what the age groups are liking at the moment. But overall, it all comes down to listener feedback. While it helps to be a national hit (see Plain White T's), finding the little gem in the middle of the smash hits and making it a hit on your station can be immensely gratifying. For my station... Sandi Thom's "I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker" was randomly HUGE... yet most stations never gave it a chance.

I'll listen to almost anything I get across my desk, and judge what has hit potential... and I'll look at what people are buying... what kids are listening to on MySpace and PureVolume...but in the end... I'll take chances. The Rocket Summer is doing well with "So Much Love." I've got the Starting Line's new one in light rotation.

Where am I going with this post? I really don't know. Everyone has their own style... and everyone has their own style of listener. My listeners open up and let me take a chance... and it works.

 

[Double_R]

My personal thoughts I use to program are: Be conservative, stay within the top 20, more so the top 15 and anything too new keep it at night. I work in a market that's pretty small, so I know it is not my job to break new music. I let out sister station, a CHR, do that. I look to look at familiarity on the call out research, if it's still a little low even though the chart has it ranked at like 17 or something, I might wait a week.

Like the previous poster said, everybody has his or her own taste. You have to factor in a lot of things. If your market doesn't have a CHR/Top 40 you might have to add some of the new stuff first, because that's where your listeners are getting the new music. For us, the CHR plays, mom hears because listen to it, it grows on her, and we add it here so she can hear it while she works.

 

[whit979]

My personal thoughts I use to program are: Be conservative, stay within the top 20, more so the top 15 and anything too new keep it at night. I work in a market that's pretty small, so I know it is not my job to break new music. I let out sister station, a CHR, do that. I look to look at familiarity on the call out research, if it's still a little low even though the chart has it ranked at like 17 or something, I might wait a week.

Like the previous poster said, everybody has his or her own taste. You have to factor in a lot of things. If your market doesn't have a CHR/Top 40 you might have to add some of the new stuff first, because that's where your listeners are getting the new music. For us, the CHR plays, mom hears because listen to it, it grows on her, and we add it here so she can hear it while she works.

I typically try to take the same approach as you. Gets boring sometimes, but it's good to know that this approach is effective for someone else too.

 

[PDPete]

My personal thoughts I use to program are: Be conservative, stay within the top 20, more so the top 15 and anything too new keep it at night. I work in a market that's pretty small, so I know it is not my job to break new music. I let out sister station, a CHR, do that. I look to look at familiarity on the call out research, if it's still a little low even though the chart has it ranked at like 17 or something, I might wait a week.

Like the previous poster said, everybody has his or her own taste. You have to factor in a lot of things. If your market doesn't have a CHR/Top 40 you might have to add some of the new stuff first, because that's where your listeners are getting the new music. For us, the CHR plays, mom hears because listen to it, it grows on her, and we add it here so she can hear it while she works.

I somewhat disagree with your programming choices. If I were a PD (I'm not even though my screen name suggests it. I'm just a radio fan who enjoys discussing music and radio ), I would definately add newer songs earlier, even if a competitive CHR is not playing some of this music. This is the reason newer songs tend to get "trapped" within the 20 to 30 portion of the Hot AC chart. Because too many stations are waiting for similar minded stations to add certain songs before they do, and these songs ultimately end up flopping, even with good callout numbers.

The Mix in Chicago recently has become more aggressive in adding newer music, particularly pop crossover music. And guess what, their ratings spiked up this past book, even as their main CHR competitor's ratings spiked up as well. I think the core Hot AC demographic is more "hip" to new music than you may realize.

I'm not trying to come across sounding like I'm an expert in radio, but these observations are just my opinions. Now of course I have never programmed or worked at a radio station, so you probably know a lot more about the radio business than I do Double_R. ;D

 

[whit979]

I somewhat disagree with your programming choices. If I were a PD (I'm not even though my screen name suggests it. I'm just a radio fan who enjoys discussing music and radio ), I would definately add newer songs earlier, even if a competitive CHR is not playing some of this music. This is the reason newer songs tend to get "trapped" within the 20 to 30 portion of the Hot AC chart. Because too many stations are waiting for similar minded stations to add certain songs before they do, and these songs ultimately end up flopping, even with good callout numbers.

The Mix in Chicago recently has become more aggressive in adding newer music, particularly pop crossover music. And guess what, their ratings spiked up this past book, even as their main CHR competitor's ratings spiked up as well. I think the core Hot AC demographic is more "hip" to new music than you may realize.

I'm not trying to come across sounding like I'm an expert in radio, but these observations are just my opinions. Now of course I have never programmed or worked at a radio station, so you probably know a lot more about the radio business than I do Double_R. ;D

You make some good points, and the speed at which Hot AC music is added is one thing that makes the job tough sometimes. We promote all of our adds as "new music". So when new songs get "trapped" at the bottom of the chart, like you said, we'll have songs being billed as "new music" for weeks on end. That's the part I don't get!

 

[Double_R]

I'm not trying to come across sounding like I'm an expert in radio, but these observations are just my opinions. Now of course I have never programmed or worked at a radio station, so you probably know a lot more about the radio business than I do Double_R. ;D

I agree with what you are saying here, sound like to me you have a pretty good understanding of radio. I would disagree, I'm sure you know just as much about radio as I, or maybe even a little more.

 

[OldiesCat]

I feel like I'm programming a Modern AC or a AAA station lately. Maybe I'm the only one....but c'mon....this new stuff my Matchbox Twenty, The Fray, Amy Winehouse, Colbie Caillat, etc etc etc....just doesn't seem like the kind of 'gold' material that so many Hot ACs thrive on. So, for everybody else, how much emphasis do you put on the Hot AC charts and other Hot AC stations out there? In what direction is Hot AC headed?

Charts can be misleading. Sure, now they actually reflect what's played but HOW the music gets played is another discussion. As it's been since the fifties, a ton of songs end up charting because the PD or a jock like the song, "incentives" from record companies and pissing matches with the competition. If you're not doing some kind of real callout or auditorium testing, you're smart to be very careful and conservative with new music.

 

[Beejus]

Charts can be misleading. Sure, now they actually reflect what's played but HOW the music gets played is another discussion. As it's been since the fifties, a ton of songs end up charting because the PD or a jock like the song, "incentives" from record companies and pissing matches with the competition. If you're not doing some kind of real callout or auditorium testing, you're smart to be very careful and conservative with new music.

I beg to differ, at least in my station's case.

I have an inferior signal in my market, I have no callout, no research, no testing, no consultant. I have to go on listener response and pure gut feeling...but I'm very open with new music. I do a new music feature in the morning where I give the listeners the vote whether or not a song stays or goes. Sure I'll put in the "definite-add" songs (Daugtry, Nickelback etc.), but I'll throw in a bunch of lesser-knowns and up-and-comings, plus tracks that may be charting on other charts, but not Hot AC (Silverchair, Hellogoodbye, Finger 11). I base my adds for the week on the response I get during the feature. It's this diversity that my listeners latched on to. I've been spinning Paralyzer by Finger 11 for months, and my CHR competition is JUST trying it out. There's a reason why they dropped 2 points and I rose a point and a half last book.

Again, this won't work in every situation. I've been very lucky that the listeners have responded and they feel as if they've helped craft the station into what it is today. A fun sounding Hot AC seeing it's best ratings in 4 years

 

[unreal256]

Charts I believe are a good start for adding music but I don't think you should rely JUST on the charts. Yes, I understand smaller market AC's dont have access to all the fancy testing and research. I believe a good MD/PD of a station know's the format and knows their audience, therefore what you believe will be a hit, should work. Then again, sometimes we all guess wrong and nothing comes of the song, but I think if you're real good you'll just know, hey, my listeners will love this record or god no, they would hate this. I also think most call out research is garbage and just because something comes back that did really poor in call out research and testing, doesnt mean its going to do poor on your station. Every station and every market is completely different.

 

[Primitive]

I was talking to someone at a major market hot AC the other day, and he said the exact same thing. In a rather bland year they had to dig for some music and were delighted to find the audience was "much cooler than we thought." They also trended upward in the last book. I think once you really know your playlist, you can add some similar sounding songs that are hits in CHR without offending your audience. Just don't burn them too quickly, in case they become huge hot AC hits in a month or two.

My personal thoughts I use to program are: Be conservative, stay within the top 20, more so the top 15 and anything too new keep it at night. I work in a market that's pretty small, so I know it is not my job to break new music. I let out sister station, a CHR, do that. I look to look at familiarity on the call out research, if it's still a little low even though the chart has it ranked at like 17 or something, I might wait a week.

Like the previous poster said, everybody has his or her own taste. You have to factor in a lot of things. If your market doesn't have a CHR/Top 40 you might have to add some of the new stuff first, because that's where your listeners are getting the new music. For us, the CHR plays, mom hears because listen to it, it grows on her, and we add it here so she can hear it while she works.

I somewhat disagree with your programming choices. If I were a PD (I'm not even though my screen name suggests it. I'm just a radio fan who enjoys discussing music and radio ), I would definately add newer songs earlier, even if a competitive CHR is not playing some of this music. This is the reason newer songs tend to get "trapped" within the 20 to 30 portion of the Hot AC chart. Because too many stations are waiting for similar minded stations to add certain songs before they do, and these songs ultimately end up flopping, even with good callout numbers.

The Mix in Chicago recently has become more aggressive in adding newer music, particularly pop crossover music. And guess what, their ratings spiked up this past book, even as their main CHR competitor's ratings spiked up as well. I think the core Hot AC demographic is more "hip" to new music than you may realize.

I'm not trying to come across sounding like I'm an expert in radio, but these observations are just my opinions. Now of course I have never programmed or worked at a radio station, so you probably know a lot more about the radio business than I do Double_R. ;D

 

[theedger]

... Just don't burn them too quickly, in case they become huge hot AC hits in a month or two.

I don't understand that statement. If you're on a song early and it blows up on your station, why does it matter if it blows up nationally a few months later. A song has a cycle on each station and isn't always in sync with everyone else.

 

[JimmyJames]

I had the exact same experience with the Finger 11 and Sandi Thom records. My audience likes the cool factor. You're still spinning strong songs, you're just getting them on at the speed of consumers instead of the constraints of "industry wisdom." The stations that can react to music like the listeners do will be the stations remaining relevant in the face of new competition. Take it to the bank.