Las Vegas has another oldies station, KOOL 102 as of 12/31/10

[davideduardo]

Sure, there are the "legit" responses..testing this, testing that, cume this, ratings that, 25-54 this, 55+ that and that's fine and dandy. But why must it be that way? Only the execs can answer that.

Simple answer: Radio is a business.

If playing 60's songs gets an audience over 60 years old, and there is no ad money available for that kind of audience, those songs won't get played.

As to library size, I've said before that all of us who have programmed in rated markets have made the mistake at some time of believing variety meant more songs. If we did not get fired, we corrected our thinking really, really fast.

 

[johnsummers]

And, it's really that simple. We, as radio professionals, really have 'no dog in this hunt', OTHER than increasing ratings. If we can do that playing "Run, Baby Run" (great record, BTW) by the Newbeats, so BE it. As David points out, we've all tried it at some point, only to see ratings shrivel. Things may be different in some smaller markets where musical focus isn't as critical to success. But, if we could get big ratiings with The New Colony Six and Ian Whitcomb, we'd be all over it....believe it!! Whatever works, and the tighter playlists work....consistantly.

 

[kenb]

Good Morning Girl/Neon Philharmonic, I will Always Think About You/ New Colony Six & all the other Box Tops hits are on my MP3 player. I agree with you, great songs. I applaud any oldies stations to include them in their rotation. Unfortunately, I am in the demographic though that is overlooked by advertisers. Sad that radio suits have forgotten us.

 

[oldies76]

Unfortunately, I am in the demographic though that is overlooked by advertisers. Sad that radio suits have forgotten us.

Hey, so much for the "Customer Service" so-called businesses are supposed to provide to all, including the overlooked. Just enjoy those fortunate oldies AM stations still on-the-air now. Someday those "radio suits" will regret their mistakes made.

 

[oldies76]

If playing 60's songs gets an audience over 60 years old, and there is no ad money available for that kind of audience, those songs won't get played.

Exactly why they are being played on good stations like 950 & 690 AM; Denver, Pueblo respectively. How else could they be played? Some audience must be tuning in, and it's not 35-54. And if it is 35-54, it's a small percentage of the total. Get the drift?

 

[CTListener]

Unfortunately, I am in the demographic though that is overlooked by advertisers. Sad that radio suits have forgotten us.

Hey, so much for the "Customer Service" so-called businesses are supposed to provide to all, including the overlooked. Just enjoy those fortunate oldies AM stations still on-the-air now. Someday those "radio suits" will regret their mistakes made.

How so? Do you see the current generation or the one to come suddenly switching from rapping/chanting/AutoTuned/repeated catchphrases/extended ringtone music back to the kind of music you and I liked 40-45 years ago? Do you see the generation that likes '60s music defying actuarial tables and, en masse, living to 100 and continuing to be a presence in the ratings? I'm only a listener and, like you, I'd love it if the '60s stayed on my FM radio and if a deeper selection of older songs were played, but it's not gonna happen. Arguing that the "suits" have it all wrong is, sadly, all wrong. And it gets wronger every day, as more and more of us join the demographic that prefers those harp-and-choral-singing formats that dominate the Arbs up above the ionosphere.

 

[davideduardo]

If playing 60's songs gets an audience over 60 years old, and there is no ad money available for that kind of audience, those songs won't get played.

Exactly why they are being played on good stations like 950 & 690 AM; Denver, Pueblo respectively. How else could they be played? Some audience must be tuning in, and it's not 35-54. And if it is 35-54, it's a small percentage of the total. Get the drift?

Those tunes are being played on stations that are looking for a third tier niche... not FM, not a major AM signal, so the "big" music and talk options are taken. As I have said before, "oldies" is an option for suburban or rimshot FMs, and AMs lacking a full signal. There is a bit of local revenue to be had, but it is finite... as 950 has been showing.

 

[oldies76]

And it gets wronger every day, as more and more of us join the demographic that prefers those harp-and-choral-singing formats that dominate the Arbs up above the ionosphere.

Rock and Roll Heaven will be there waiting.