KOLA FM

[jt99]

As I suggested in my previous post, I think a lot is going to depend on how much of the demographic that ages out is replaced by younger listeners. We may well find that the current model works longer than a lot of people expect.

I don't think the time is even close to right for adding more 90s titles, much less 2000s. It's been enough of a struggle for most CH stations to find the ones that work for their markets now.

While it's certainly not the time for Classic Hits stations to do a mass addition of 1990s music to their playlist, they will definitely have to add a few as they keep slowly deleting 1970s songs from the playlist.

The future viability of the current Classic Hits model (or the KOLA model) will have a lot to do with the burnout that younger audiences may feel towards 1980s music, as well as how satisfied the younger audience is with whatever music is popular in 2024-26. It's a bad time for CHR right now, but that could certainly change in the future. But regardless, I am not expecting the 1980s to be limited to 1-2 songs an hour anytime soon like the 1970s have.

While I'd welcome the continued viability of the current Classic Hits model (and this coming from a 22 year old who is most certainly not in the core 35-54 demo of the format), I wouldn't hold my breath, but we will have to see.

 

[K.M. Richards]

A lot of top-rated Classic Hits stations are playing 90s music, not just WCBS-FM, but also stations like WEAT in Palm Beach. Also, WFEZ in Miami has good ratings whilst prominently featuring 90s songs.

Well, you piqued my curiosity with that, Vic, so I went to BDS and brought up the Era Map for all three stations. For the past seven days (March 8 through 14), here is the breakout by decade of spins:

WCBS-FM: 1970s 12.9%, 1980s 76.0%, 1990s 10.0%, 2000s 0.9% (highest year 1984 with 15.2%)
WEAT: 1960s 1.0%, 1970s 13.9%, 1980s 72.6%, 1990s 11.2%, 2000s 1,4% (highest year also 1984 with 14.6%)
WFEZ: 1960s 0.1%, 1970s 6.7%, 1980s 47.0%, 1990s 29.0%, 2000s 7.6%, 2010s 9.7%, 2012 0.2% (and highest year also 1984 with 8.4%)

So WFEZ does have significantly less 80s spins, but they also go more recent. Even with that, nearly half of their spins are 80s, and both WCBS-FM and WEAT are about three-quarters 80s. So you sort of win on the Miami station having prominent 90s airplay, with the aforementioned qualification of having a much broader spread over the decades. But I cannot say the same about New York and Palm Beach (only about 10%, less than just the peak year of the 80s for both).

So I'm going to have to stick with my opinion that the jury is still out.

 

[K.M. Richards]

Another reminder that Modern English's I Melt With You only peaked [within the Billboard Hot 100] at #78 in 1983 and #76 in 1990, never mind the fact that the song did not make the Billboard Year-End charts in either 1983 or 1990.

Which I explained in this post. Anomalies do not make for convincing arguments.

 

[jt99]

Well, you piqued my curiosity with that, Vic, so I went to BDS and brought up the Era Map for all three stations. For the past seven days (March 8 through 14), here is the breakout by decade of spins:

WCBS-FM: 1970s 12.9%, 1980s 76.0%, 1990s 10.0%, 2000s 0.9% (highest year 1984 with 15.2%)
WEAT: 1960s 1.0%, 1970s 13.9%, 1980s 72.6%, 1990s 11.2%, 2000s 1,4% (highest year also 1984 with 14.6%)
WFEZ: 1960s 0.1%, 1970s 6.7%, 1980s 47.0%, 1990s 29.0%, 2000s 7.6%, 2010s 9.7%, 2012 0.2% (and highest year also 1984 with 8.4%)

So WFEZ does have significantly less 80s spins, but they also go more recent. Even with that, nearly half of their spins are 80s, and both WCBS-FM and WEAT are about three-quarters 80s. So you sort of win on the Miami station having prominent 90s airplay, with the aforementioned qualification of having a much broader spread over the decades. But I cannot say the same about New York and Palm Beach (only about 10%, less than just the peak year of the 80s for both).

So I'm going to have to stick with my opinion that the jury is still out.

I would definitely be interested to see era maps for KOLA and KRTH as well.

 

[victorres43]

I would definitely be interested to see era maps for KOLA and KRTH as well.

It will be interesting to see the one for KRTH, considering they are beginning to play California Love and Gangsta's Paradise. (Granted, these were mega hits back in the day, but still.)

 

[K.M. Richards]

I would definitely be interested to see era maps for KOLA and KRTH as well.

Okay, but please be satisfied with this additional information as I don't want to exceed the limits of what I'm legally allowed to share from the database.

KOLA: 1960s 0.1%, 1970s 19.0%, 1980s 61.5%, 1990s 19.4%, 2000s 12.4%, 2010s 0.2% (peak 1983, 8.9%)
KRTH: 1970s 18.3%, 1980s 70.4%, 1990s 9.7%, 2000s 1.6%, 2014 0.1% (peak 1983, 14.5%)

Both are about equal in 1970s and reasonably close to each other in 1980s, both the same year with the highest percentage of spins. KOLA is much more aggressive in the 1990s and beyond, but that may be a strategic move to be different from KRTH, since we know the latter does get a good signal into the Riverside-San Bernardino market.

Good night, guys.

 

[KilowattKat]

One last post for the night, here's KXSN San Diego and the last 15 songs played, and the decade breakdown:

70's - 3/15
80's - 11/15
90's - 2/15

Oldest song: Lynard Skynard " Sweet Home Alabama" 1974

Newest song: Cardigans "Lovefool" 1996

So they are the traditional model of Classic Hits, and they are top rated.

 

[KilowattKat]

Sorry about the math! Make that the last 16 songs that were played...

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

I wonder how soon before the 90's become the core decade for Classic Hits? There's been a slow introduction of 90's hits for awhile now. What time frame are we looking at till the 80's are put in the rear view mirror, with the focus on the 90's.

I say wait until 2024-2027 for 90's songs and more early 2000's songs to be inserted into the mix of classic hits/Old School Stations. Santana would have to be the kickoff for late 1990's and early 2000's songs. Santana in the late 1990's and early 2000's had a second stint of success in that era where he teamed up with the then trending artists like Michelle Branch and Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20. Some of Santana's later songs went on to have attracted a younger crowd which later became known as GenY and Millennials.

Santana had a previous stint of success in the late 1960's and early 1970's.

 

[semoochie]

I say wait until 2024-2027 for 90's songs and more early 2000's songs to be inserted into the mix of classic hits/Old School Stations. Santana would have to be the kickoff for late 1990's and early 2000's songs. Santana in the late 1990's and early 2000's had a second stint of success in that era where he teamed up with the then trending artists like Michelle Branch and Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20. Some of Santana's later songs went on to have attracted a younger crowd which later became known as GenY and Millennials.

Santana had a previous stint of success in the late 1960's and early 1970's.

I understand that Santana was the highlight of Woodstock!

 

[Mido3737]

One last post for the night, here's KXSN San Diego and the last 15 songs played, and the decade breakdown:

70's - 3/15
80's - 11/15
90's - 2/15

Oldest song: Lynard Skynard " Sweet Home Alabama" 1974

Newest song: Cardigans "Lovefool" 1996

So they are the traditional model of Classic Hits, and they are top rated.

That’s is great insight and are bang on the bottom for classic hits .It sounds really tight on air and well worth a listen👍 .

 

[Mido3737]

Listening to Kola for the past few days there no doubt the music is good and is being listened it. Some good features all days with cash 💰 up for grabs each hour. It could do with an injection of prizes for weekends as music alone will not sell a week end .Even movie passes would be a great way to have listener participation. Jessie Duran a winner in the morning.

 

[30james]

Shine by collective soul would have been a better fit for krth so far as 90's is concerned. Just sayin.

 

[Mido3737]

I heard someone hear say Abba Dancing Queen is their only song that tests well Here in Europe I can tell you Summer Night City and Waterloo are far better Abba songs but radio stations are scared to play them Good song is good song guys .Same goes for Cyndi Lauper Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and that Phil Collins treasure that should be buried forever You can't Hurry Love.You get my drift.😃

 

[K.M. Richards]

Programming to European listeners has always been different from programming to American listeners. We'll go with what our listeners want and you go with what your listeners want.

Apples and oranges ... get my drift?

 

[Mido3737]

Programming to European listeners has always been different from programming to American listeners. We'll go with what our listeners want and you go with what your listeners want.

Apples and oranges ... get my drift?

That's a fair comment can't argue with that. Without a doubt American stations are the best doing classic hits .🌟

 

[Mido3737]

I'm not sure how many songs Kola have on their playlist but it always sounds fresh when I listen .I can live with the odd stiff Air Supply song 😃.

 

[Mido3737]

Everything ABBA did in English was done phonetically.

The reason they stay around is simple. Women (of a certain age) LOVE ABBA. It is that simple. I have witnessed it over and over again. "Dancing Queen" is their biggest hit (in terms of recognition and longevity, I have no idea about the charts) so that is the one they will continue to play, probably until these women age out of demo, whenever that is.

There are far better Abba songs than Dancing Queen,Summer Night City being one but radio being radio only play the same songs .Shame no one brave enough to to go outside their comport zone

 

[K.M. Richards]

There are far better Abba songs than Dancing Queen,Summer Night City being one but radio being radio only play the same songs .Shame no one brave enough to to go outside their comport zone

Perhaps this is another instance of the difference in programming to a European audience compared to an American one. The song you reference was apparently only released as a single in Europe, so in the U.S. top-40 audiences never heard it. So even if we were to test it with audiences, other than fans of the group the response would be "I don't know the song".

Unfamiliar music is as toxic to commercial radio as is music that tests negatively. Either will cause listener tune out, which lowers ratings and makes the selling of air time difficult (if not impossible).

I politely suggest that you not apply the European model when critiquing American radio. As I said previously, it's apples and oranges.

 

[30james]

So has KOLA finally rested the eagles? As in do they no longer play them. The music direction KOLA is in would make sense. Seeing how they play lady gaga and gwen Stefani and other 90's hits.