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Is Classic Rock Dying?
- Thread starter tsherck
- Start date
Now this one I have to agree with LandTuna on. While I think Classic Hits will simply roll on and become each successive generation's old favorites, regardless of the changes music goes through, unless your focus changes to alternative, Classic Rock pretty much smacks into a brick wall around 1986. It doesn't go back much before 1964, so there's 22 years of music.
Split the difference...1975's the center of the music, you're pitching to people who were 16-22 then.....that's 53-59 year olds.
Some stations (KSLX, Phoenix, especially) are still strong in 25-54, but demos are obviously going to be a near to mid term problem for the format since they have no way forward musically unless they embrace radical change and move toward Nirvana, Pearl Jam and other 90s rock.
And I have no idea how well that would work. KDKB in Phoenix plays a lot of that, and doesn't do nearly as well in the demo as KSLX.
Split the difference...1975's the center of the music, you're pitching to people who were 16-22 then.....that's 53-59 year olds.
Some stations (KSLX, Phoenix, especially) are still strong in 25-54, but demos are obviously going to be a near to mid term problem for the format since they have no way forward musically unless they embrace radical change and move toward Nirvana, Pearl Jam and other 90s rock.
And I have no idea how well that would work. KDKB in Phoenix plays a lot of that, and doesn't do nearly as well in the demo as KSLX.
The classic rock format is still extremely viable. The problem is the presentation and formatics. Most CR outlets are stale and predictable. The same old former hippie-sounding jock, the same rotation of Zeppelin/Van Halen/ZZ Top/Skynyrd/Pink Floyd tunes, boring and over-used benchmarks (if they use them) and an overall dull-sounding presentation.
Even the 45-54 male crowd, of which I am one, has stepped away from CR radio to other music delivery systems (Spotify, Pandora, I-Tunes, etc.) I admit with no reservation that I listen to my CR category on Spotify nearly every day and have no use for the local outlets. It's boring.
Most CR jocks sound like they're playing out the string in their radio careers and it affects the final product. Lackluster music & benchmark teases are only the beginning. I know there's only so many ways to front-sell "Communication Breakdown", but the jock has to put some work into the presentation. The format is short on show-prep and long on cliches.
Many CR stations have a limited playlist (usually a corporate-mandated 400-song rotation). While I'm not suggesting opening up to 1200 songs, the music needs to be refreshed. Let "Whole Lotta Love" rest for 3-4 weeks and play "The Ocean" instead. Many of us in the biz love "wow" songs. If they're properly scheduled and promoted, it can, eventually, be a difference-maker because the dynamic has changed. "Massaging" the program log is paramount. Whatever music scheduling software is being used - pay attention to the "rules". Refresh the category once in a while. If you have a "deeper cut" category, don't let a song sit for 70 days. Take 30-45 minutes a day to go over the music log. If the log is generated and not looked over, it's probably going to sound dull and predictable. Know the music. Don't blather on about John Rutsey being the original drummer for Rush. Make your point and keep moving ahead. Be logical in music clocks. I've heard CR stations play songs like "Layla" and "Money for Nothing" back-to-back. A seven & eight minute song back-to-back. That goes back to scheduling "rules". It makes more of a difference, station reporting-wise, than PPM proponents care to admit. Create more artist separation and song separation. I think artist minimums should be no less than 2:45 while individual "A1" tracks should have at least 3 days and a daypart separation. Spruce it up, but don't try to reinvent the wheel. Go back to the basics.
As for post-1986 CR, it can get dicey. A listener who was 16 when "Light My Fire" was released might not dig "Even Flow". Dayparting is important. It might sound like I'm telling something you already know, but plenty of CR stations try to be slick & cool with "newer" classic rock. If not properly scheduled, it can backfire on the whole station texture.
CR imaging, for the most part, is laughable. 95% of the listeners don't want to listen to a 25-second sweeper. Sweepers are supposed to be 5-7 seconds long. The art of using a "stab" rarely shows its head in the format. Keep the music flowing, moving forward and let it drive the bus. A Spinal Tap actuality in a "sweeper" might sound good the first two or three times to a listener, but then, it becomes a turn-off. There's too much emphasis on the garnish and not enough on the meat & potatoes. Especially if there are two competing stations in a format that shares a decent amount of P1s, OWN the music. Be the BOSS.
I'm not saying that the CR presentation needs to adapt a CHR or Hot AC delivery - but it should sound alive. If the jocks appear bored, the station will take on that personality.
The synergy between sales and programming is necessary. Why have an on-air promotion that might hit 20% of your audience that already has a low TSL? Everything on-air needs to be relevant. While a $2000 parasailing package sounds nice, I'm sure that most of the audience doesn't care. You've now created a waste of time and a reason for listeners to find cool promotions elsewhere that they find applicable to them. The P1, which includes me, likes taking their significant other out to dinner, maybe a movie or a weekend away. That's what we like. It doesn't have to be expensive. It has to be relevant.
I'm no expert on the subject, but I look at the current of CR as a listener and programmer and turn away. That's hard for someone like me who's fave format is CR. Leave it the way it is and, it will, die on the vine.
Even the 45-54 male crowd, of which I am one, has stepped away from CR radio to other music delivery systems (Spotify, Pandora, I-Tunes, etc.) I admit with no reservation that I listen to my CR category on Spotify nearly every day and have no use for the local outlets. It's boring.
Most CR jocks sound like they're playing out the string in their radio careers and it affects the final product. Lackluster music & benchmark teases are only the beginning. I know there's only so many ways to front-sell "Communication Breakdown", but the jock has to put some work into the presentation. The format is short on show-prep and long on cliches.
Many CR stations have a limited playlist (usually a corporate-mandated 400-song rotation). While I'm not suggesting opening up to 1200 songs, the music needs to be refreshed. Let "Whole Lotta Love" rest for 3-4 weeks and play "The Ocean" instead. Many of us in the biz love "wow" songs. If they're properly scheduled and promoted, it can, eventually, be a difference-maker because the dynamic has changed. "Massaging" the program log is paramount. Whatever music scheduling software is being used - pay attention to the "rules". Refresh the category once in a while. If you have a "deeper cut" category, don't let a song sit for 70 days. Take 30-45 minutes a day to go over the music log. If the log is generated and not looked over, it's probably going to sound dull and predictable. Know the music. Don't blather on about John Rutsey being the original drummer for Rush. Make your point and keep moving ahead. Be logical in music clocks. I've heard CR stations play songs like "Layla" and "Money for Nothing" back-to-back. A seven & eight minute song back-to-back. That goes back to scheduling "rules". It makes more of a difference, station reporting-wise, than PPM proponents care to admit. Create more artist separation and song separation. I think artist minimums should be no less than 2:45 while individual "A1" tracks should have at least 3 days and a daypart separation. Spruce it up, but don't try to reinvent the wheel. Go back to the basics.
As for post-1986 CR, it can get dicey. A listener who was 16 when "Light My Fire" was released might not dig "Even Flow". Dayparting is important. It might sound like I'm telling something you already know, but plenty of CR stations try to be slick & cool with "newer" classic rock. If not properly scheduled, it can backfire on the whole station texture.
CR imaging, for the most part, is laughable. 95% of the listeners don't want to listen to a 25-second sweeper. Sweepers are supposed to be 5-7 seconds long. The art of using a "stab" rarely shows its head in the format. Keep the music flowing, moving forward and let it drive the bus. A Spinal Tap actuality in a "sweeper" might sound good the first two or three times to a listener, but then, it becomes a turn-off. There's too much emphasis on the garnish and not enough on the meat & potatoes. Especially if there are two competing stations in a format that shares a decent amount of P1s, OWN the music. Be the BOSS.
I'm not saying that the CR presentation needs to adapt a CHR or Hot AC delivery - but it should sound alive. If the jocks appear bored, the station will take on that personality.
The synergy between sales and programming is necessary. Why have an on-air promotion that might hit 20% of your audience that already has a low TSL? Everything on-air needs to be relevant. While a $2000 parasailing package sounds nice, I'm sure that most of the audience doesn't care. You've now created a waste of time and a reason for listeners to find cool promotions elsewhere that they find applicable to them. The P1, which includes me, likes taking their significant other out to dinner, maybe a movie or a weekend away. That's what we like. It doesn't have to be expensive. It has to be relevant.
I'm no expert on the subject, but I look at the current of CR as a listener and programmer and turn away. That's hard for someone like me who's fave format is CR. Leave it the way it is and, it will, die on the vine.
Keep in mind that Classic Rock doesn't really exist anymore. 1990 was 23 years ago, and the definition isn't utilized by anyone under 30. It's now just "old." Ratings are almost impossible to get from people under 35. They don't carry PPM meters, or take surveys.
The fact that some of those stations do so well, can be based upon *who's really carrying the meter in the house?*
When you see a station that's rolling "The Things We Do For Love" scoring high ratings with Men 18-34, you might have a problem.
Rock is not what programmers think, or want it to be for young listeners. The Beastie Boys' "Brass Monkey" now classifies as a "Classic Rock" song.
The fact that some of those stations do so well, can be based upon *who's really carrying the meter in the house?*
When you see a station that's rolling "The Things We Do For Love" scoring high ratings with Men 18-34, you might have a problem.
Rock is not what programmers think, or want it to be for young listeners. The Beastie Boys' "Brass Monkey" now classifies as a "Classic Rock" song.
Neanderpaul said:
So KIIS-FM in Los Angeles is tied for first because people over 35 are wearing their kids' PPM devices?
I don't think so.
No. KIIS in Los Angeles is tied for first because they're *on* everywhere. This is a *much* bigger discussion: Exposure...is *not* listening.
Rock will *never* have the same cume in PPM that a Top 40 will. Purely based upon texture.
There's proof that meter-holders, aren't necessarily in the hands of those to whom they're assigned. You would hope that this isn't the norm. But, when you see (and it DOES happen) a station lose *half* their audience in a monthly, because *two* panelists in a demo, who may be "heavy users" of your station, go on vacation, or a station who rotates "Undercover
Angel" scoring high with 18-24s, knowing how few of those meters are in a market of millions, and the fact that 30% of the daily listening ratings, don't listen *enough* to qualify in the weekly, and *one* odd weekly can screw a station's monthly, that's a real issue. Again, a completely different discussion.
Classic Rock, and Rock radio in general, has been force-feeding the audience the same 500 songs for decades. Mostly because Rock radio is afraid to admit that certain textures that *the programmer/consultant/format captain* believe to be incompatible with their stations, are actually considered Rock by the audience. Today's "Rock listener," likes songs that some stations would never DARE expose next to Fleetwood Mac. And so...they see audience erosion.
You cannot continue to chase 25-54s playing REO Speedwagon & Animals records. At some point you *must* evolve.
Which scares away some of a station's older listeners. This has to be an understood, and accepted short-term bump, in order to smooth the run over the long haul. Take a look at the Gold playlists of a lot of the successful "Classic Rock" stations, and you'll see Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, and post 90s U2 on those playlists. And when you look at the warhorses..the days of "Satisfaction" are being supplanted by "Beast Of Burden." Less "Rosalita" and more "Glory Days." "Gloria" by Them, is now "Gloria" by U2. It *has* to happen. Or, much too late, the company realizes that "Blinded By The Light," and "Brown Eyed Girl," won't carry them anymore.
Rock will *never* have the same cume in PPM that a Top 40 will. Purely based upon texture.
There's proof that meter-holders, aren't necessarily in the hands of those to whom they're assigned. You would hope that this isn't the norm. But, when you see (and it DOES happen) a station lose *half* their audience in a monthly, because *two* panelists in a demo, who may be "heavy users" of your station, go on vacation, or a station who rotates "Undercover
Angel" scoring high with 18-24s, knowing how few of those meters are in a market of millions, and the fact that 30% of the daily listening ratings, don't listen *enough* to qualify in the weekly, and *one* odd weekly can screw a station's monthly, that's a real issue. Again, a completely different discussion.
Classic Rock, and Rock radio in general, has been force-feeding the audience the same 500 songs for decades. Mostly because Rock radio is afraid to admit that certain textures that *the programmer/consultant/format captain* believe to be incompatible with their stations, are actually considered Rock by the audience. Today's "Rock listener," likes songs that some stations would never DARE expose next to Fleetwood Mac. And so...they see audience erosion.
You cannot continue to chase 25-54s playing REO Speedwagon & Animals records. At some point you *must* evolve.
Which scares away some of a station's older listeners. This has to be an understood, and accepted short-term bump, in order to smooth the run over the long haul. Take a look at the Gold playlists of a lot of the successful "Classic Rock" stations, and you'll see Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, and post 90s U2 on those playlists. And when you look at the warhorses..the days of "Satisfaction" are being supplanted by "Beast Of Burden." Less "Rosalita" and more "Glory Days." "Gloria" by Them, is now "Gloria" by U2. It *has* to happen. Or, much too late, the company realizes that "Blinded By The Light," and "Brown Eyed Girl," won't carry them anymore.
Neanderpaul said:
Rock, as we once knew it at the height of its popularity, isn't being originated any longer. If youngsters hear this music and want to hear more of it their only OTA choice is to tune into a CR station. There are probably enough of those "kids" growing into the demo each year to keep CR on the air, if not in the high revenue bracket. Stations like KSLX seem to be doing OK and they have got to have turned over their audience at least once already.
It is therefore not necessary to put post-1990's junk rock on the playlist unless you are following an oldies (small 'o') format.
When I monitor a CR's playlist, I note how I would categorize the music if I was programming the clocks. Listening to a CR online and, in a 40-minute period, I've only heard one strong song (A1) no secondary from a core artist (A2), back-to-back secondary artists/groups with non-strong hits (B2), two late-80s songs within a three-song set (C1) and two "late night" (F) songs that would normally go into a drop position with a time-synch.
Blech.
Blech.
BostonRandy said:
I think balance makes *all* the difference. However, what you, bring up points to an interesting facet that nationalized playlists speak to. What may be considered a "strong song," or "secondary artist," will vary depending on where the station is located. For example, here in Phoenix, The Refreshments' "Banditos" is a legitimate hit record. Whereas you wouldn't see that in Chicago.
And so, knowing what works, specific to your market, will color your station's playlist. In Boston, The Fools' version of the Exciters' "Doo Wah Diddy" is something that would actually work on their Classic Rock station. Try that in LA, and it'd be a tune-out.
It's not who you play. It's *what* you play, by who you play, that makes the difference. And Rock has spent too much time chasing the audience it has, instead of targeting the audience it wants. If you want 25-54s, find out what *they* want, and give it to them. Even if it may not coincide with what you perceive their desires to be. It's their choice to listen. And they want, what they want. Give it to them.
We have to stop thinking as we have. Everything has changed. And we have two choices: Adapt, or look for a new gig. Because the changes aren't going to stop.
Paul,
Hasn't David Edwardo spent much time and energy teaching us that "radio" uses a variety of methods to determine what their audience wants to hear? Does that not apply to CR as well? Isn't a CR station being at or near the top of the ratings in their desired demo proof they are offering their audience what they want?
Not trying to start an argument but am wondering why you seem to think CR is losing their audience or failing in some regard. KSLX had a very good book so what do they need to do differently?
Hasn't David Edwardo spent much time and energy teaching us that "radio" uses a variety of methods to determine what their audience wants to hear? Does that not apply to CR as well? Isn't a CR station being at or near the top of the ratings in their desired demo proof they are offering their audience what they want?
Not trying to start an argument but am wondering why you seem to think CR is losing their audience or failing in some regard. KSLX had a very good book so what do they need to do differently?
Paul:
Excellent points all. I do know that the CC corporate-created playlists do have a bit of change, depending on the station's market. For example, it's not unheard of to play a Billy Joel song in NYC that would not air in Charleston.
Another great example for market-specific songs in Jon Butcher Axis. While "Life Takes a Life" would sound great in Boston/Providence/Manchester et al., it probably wouldn't work in, let's say, Charlotte.
While the base of the 25-54 Classic Rock tastes is pretty much the same wherever you go, there needs to be a bit of identity in certain non-A1/A2 categories.
Excellent points all. I do know that the CC corporate-created playlists do have a bit of change, depending on the station's market. For example, it's not unheard of to play a Billy Joel song in NYC that would not air in Charleston.
Another great example for market-specific songs in Jon Butcher Axis. While "Life Takes a Life" would sound great in Boston/Providence/Manchester et al., it probably wouldn't work in, let's say, Charlotte.
While the base of the 25-54 Classic Rock tastes is pretty much the same wherever you go, there needs to be a bit of identity in certain non-A1/A2 categories.
landtuna said:
I'm not talking about any one station. I'm responding to the original question. There are some extremely successful CR stations across America. And, there are stations who're dying on the vine. The question is; Why?
Inconsistency is one reason. But, the main reason is what I stated earlier. Rock radio chases the audience instead of targeting. We see it happening all over. Looking at the Gold playlists for Active, Mainstream, Alternative & Classic, you'll see an aging of the primary gold library, and *lots* of crossover titles. The idea that a song from 25 years ago like "Love Song" by both Tesla & The Cure, or Winger's "Seventeen" is now Classic Rock, scares a lot of radio experts. Yet, there they are. They fit the definition. And, in some places, they could be an advantage when you see 5 stations playing "Hotel California." What makes *your* station the one people should turn to? The lines are blurred. When you're looking at the success of some stations, it can literally be one household, defined as "heavy users." Which brings us back to the methodology.
I won't get into details as it opens an entirely new can of worms, But, the reality is; being *on* is more important than being good.
What you're seeing with industries having a tough time targeting younger consumers, *will* happen to CR. The smart outlets already see it, and are adapting before their competitors do. Thus, you have success stories.
Even Classic Stations are accepting that they can't play "Hard Day's Night," or "Go All The Way" forever. You have only to look at other threads on this section of the boards to see evidence of this. Several threads are popping up, questioning why it is/isn't happening.
You can't kick water uphill. Evolution, is inevitable.
I also certainly hope this isn't coming off as contentious. Not my intent at all. I actually haven't been on this forum in a while. Nice to see some discussion happening.
Be Well,
>>>There are some extremely successful CR stations across America. And, there are stations who're dying on the vine. The question is; Why?<<<
Where are Classic Rock stations dying on the vine? Yes, some Alternative and Active Rock stations are fading away. But nearly every sizable market has a Classic Rock station (or a Classic Hits station that's really pop-leaning Classic Rock, like WBIG Washington or WSRV Atlanta). Some markets, like LA and Chicago, have two Classic Rock stations.
Here's how Classic Rock does in the 25-54 demo in some key markets (and I wish I had a further break-out of Men 25-54 but I don't)...
NYC...WAXQ #6
Chicago...WLUP #6
Dallas...KZPS #7
Atlanta...WSRV #2
Boston...WZLX #4
Seattle...KZOK tied for #1
Phoenix...KSLX #1
Minneapolis...KQRS #3
>>>in some places... you see 5 stations playing "Hotel California." What makes *your* station the one people should turn to?<<<
Where do we hear five stations playing Hotel California? You'd only hear it on Classic Rock and AC stations, certainly not on Hot AC or Contemporary Rock stations. In New York, you'd only hear Hotel California on Classic Rock Q104.3 and AC Lite-FM. I'm not sure even the harder-edged Classic Rock stations like WLUP Chicago or KLOS Los Angeles play The Eagles anymore.
>>>Even Classic Stations are accepting that they can't play "Hard Day's Night," or "Go All The Way" forever.<<<
Again, I don't hear this happening. If you check the playlists of most Classic Rock stations, nearly all their music is from the mid 60s till 1990. I know Q104.3 in NYC plays some Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana a few times a day. But more than 90% of their playlist is 60s, 70s, 80s. And that's because middle aged men, even if they were born a decade or more after the Beatles broke up, still heard plenty of Beatles on their Rock radio stations growing up.
Top 40, Country and Urban stations only went back a few years for their hits. But most Contemporary Rock stations played tons of Beatles, Doors, Stones, Zeppelin, etc. well into the 90s. The average Album Rock station only played four or five current songs per hour. The rest came from the record library. That was reversed for Top 40, Country and Urban. And that's why Classic Rock stations do great among Men 25-54, even though most of those listeners came of age well after this music was current.
Rock radio changed in the 90s. Album Rock split into three camps: Classic Rock, Active Rock and Alternative Rock. You no longer had the same station playing Hall & Oates to AC/DC to The Thompson Twins. Maybe someday, when the kids who started listening to Rock radio in the 90s are older, Classic Rock may have to drop its 60s and 70s songs. But that's not happening anytime soon. In fact, it's remarkable how well Classic Rock continues to do, with virtually the same playlists they've been using for 20 years. Men apparently don't mind hearing the songs that were on their radios in high school and college, over and over and over again.
Where are Classic Rock stations dying on the vine? Yes, some Alternative and Active Rock stations are fading away. But nearly every sizable market has a Classic Rock station (or a Classic Hits station that's really pop-leaning Classic Rock, like WBIG Washington or WSRV Atlanta). Some markets, like LA and Chicago, have two Classic Rock stations.
Here's how Classic Rock does in the 25-54 demo in some key markets (and I wish I had a further break-out of Men 25-54 but I don't)...
NYC...WAXQ #6
Chicago...WLUP #6
Dallas...KZPS #7
Atlanta...WSRV #2
Boston...WZLX #4
Seattle...KZOK tied for #1
Phoenix...KSLX #1
Minneapolis...KQRS #3
>>>in some places... you see 5 stations playing "Hotel California." What makes *your* station the one people should turn to?<<<
Where do we hear five stations playing Hotel California? You'd only hear it on Classic Rock and AC stations, certainly not on Hot AC or Contemporary Rock stations. In New York, you'd only hear Hotel California on Classic Rock Q104.3 and AC Lite-FM. I'm not sure even the harder-edged Classic Rock stations like WLUP Chicago or KLOS Los Angeles play The Eagles anymore.
>>>Even Classic Stations are accepting that they can't play "Hard Day's Night," or "Go All The Way" forever.<<<
Again, I don't hear this happening. If you check the playlists of most Classic Rock stations, nearly all their music is from the mid 60s till 1990. I know Q104.3 in NYC plays some Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana a few times a day. But more than 90% of their playlist is 60s, 70s, 80s. And that's because middle aged men, even if they were born a decade or more after the Beatles broke up, still heard plenty of Beatles on their Rock radio stations growing up.
Top 40, Country and Urban stations only went back a few years for their hits. But most Contemporary Rock stations played tons of Beatles, Doors, Stones, Zeppelin, etc. well into the 90s. The average Album Rock station only played four or five current songs per hour. The rest came from the record library. That was reversed for Top 40, Country and Urban. And that's why Classic Rock stations do great among Men 25-54, even though most of those listeners came of age well after this music was current.
Rock radio changed in the 90s. Album Rock split into three camps: Classic Rock, Active Rock and Alternative Rock. You no longer had the same station playing Hall & Oates to AC/DC to The Thompson Twins. Maybe someday, when the kids who started listening to Rock radio in the 90s are older, Classic Rock may have to drop its 60s and 70s songs. But that's not happening anytime soon. In fact, it's remarkable how well Classic Rock continues to do, with virtually the same playlists they've been using for 20 years. Men apparently don't mind hearing the songs that were on their radios in high school and college, over and over and over again.
Couple of thoughts on this subject:
Mixing in post-1986 (or post 1990) music into a classic rock station is taking a chance. 94.1 WYSP in Philadelphia tried a "rock you grew up with" format. They had some billboard (if I remember correctly) that showed these three artists: AC/DC, Lynnyd Skynyrd, and Peal Jam. The station didn't do very well. It may have had other problems besides the music, but the mix didn't seem to have the necessary appeal.
On the other hand, as someone who is 49 years old, I really like Sirius/XM's Classic Rewind: classic rock from the late 70s and 80s. The occasionally throw in a later song that sounds like the era (Black Crowes and Aerosmith from 90s). But no Peal Jam. They do play 80s U2.
The classic rock station in Philly seems mired in the 70s and very early 80s (up to 82). I wonder if a station that just moved the average year up to, say, about 1983, would be a viable competitor as long as they didn't try to mix in early grunge of the early 1990s.
Mixing in post-1986 (or post 1990) music into a classic rock station is taking a chance. 94.1 WYSP in Philadelphia tried a "rock you grew up with" format. They had some billboard (if I remember correctly) that showed these three artists: AC/DC, Lynnyd Skynyrd, and Peal Jam. The station didn't do very well. It may have had other problems besides the music, but the mix didn't seem to have the necessary appeal.
On the other hand, as someone who is 49 years old, I really like Sirius/XM's Classic Rewind: classic rock from the late 70s and 80s. The occasionally throw in a later song that sounds like the era (Black Crowes and Aerosmith from 90s). But no Peal Jam. They do play 80s U2.
The classic rock station in Philly seems mired in the 70s and very early 80s (up to 82). I wonder if a station that just moved the average year up to, say, about 1983, would be a viable competitor as long as they didn't try to mix in early grunge of the early 1990s.
I disagree. Pearl Jam is classic rock to me. I'm 33. 70's is oldies. Eventually alternative stations will have to give up the 90's, and maybe the recent surge in artists in that genre will allow more ALT to go to a current-heavy rotation and drop earlier music. Pearl Jam sounds dated next to the Lumineers (as much as it hurts to say that).
Time marches on. If Classic Rock programmers think people still get excited over 30+ year old songs from Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and AC/DC they've heard a zillion times over, I have news for them. This music is already showing signs of extreme listener burnout.
http://www.wmtw.com/news/entertainment/-/8791692/16636154/-/xkoh6j/-/index.html
.....And it's closer to the end than they may think......
http://www.wmtw.com/news/entertainment/-/8791692/16636154/-/xkoh6j/-/index.html
.....And it's closer to the end than they may think......
Bongwater said:
While I don't necessarily disagree with the concept, the linked article has no source, attribution or byline. It could be the 10 songs WMTW's web intern hates most.
Research is a fact of life in most markets of any considerable size. If a record is still getting saturation play, it's because the positives are way higher than the negatives.
michael hagerty said:
But the bottom line is people ARE burning out on these songs. I hear more complaints about Classic Rock than any other format.
But I can also see the disconnect. The research only covers a SMALL sample of people, as does PPM. The way I see it, radio programs only for those with PPMs. If there was an implanted device in every radio that measures actual listening in a whole market, the results would shock the radio industry to it's core.
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