Nashville Market playing to many songs over and over and over...why?

[jason99]

So I listen to the radio more than I use to now that I'm a part time radio personality and my full time job is healthcare. I listen to many stations now and all the station in Nashville seem to play the same music over and over. I hear the same songs four or five times a week. Mix 929 plays Red Red Wine and Because you loved me almost everyday. Jack FM plays Superfreak and Keep your hands to your self everyday or every other day. And the Rock plays Pour some sugar on me all the time. Is this what radio has come to now we have to hear the same songs over and over. Now I understand that you need to play the popular songs alot but everyday...NO.

What are your thoughts on this??

 

[jetfli]

What are your thoughts on this??

Basically, Corporate Radio assigns formulas to its stations for Return On Investment. Local clusters must live up to them. Local programmers don't want to rock the boat and they want to help meet the ROI because their jobs depend upon it. So generally, they toe the line to the corporate playlists which have been compiled based on reams of research. The research indicates that people in desirable target groups want to hear these certain songs over and over.

Okay, now let me throw in a couple of new things to consider in this discussion:

1) Typically corporate programmers, and programmers who want to be "successful" like corporate programmers, look to other successful programmers and their playlists for models. Has this finally resulted in going in circles, and instead of continuing to chase new models, we're now chasing our own tails? Who will dare to stop the chase and do something original?

2) Can originality succeed? The "different drummer" in the Nashville market, Lightning 100, appears to be languishing in the ratings cellar.

 

[Tibbs4]

Jet, let me throw a couple of other curve balls into the discussion.

First, as for Mix92-9, sure it's the dreaded national AC playlist, but it's very much taylored to phone and live/local research/focus groups
and lots of the national hits just weirdly don't test well in Nashville, according to all the tons of various surveys. I have often figured
that it makes sense to program a lfew more peppier tunes hoping to grab a newer segment of younger women and even
grab a share from men (playing things like U2, Spin Doctors even something like Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence" or Katrina
and the Waves "Walking on Sunshine" or Robert Palmer once in a while.) But, even after 1 billion plus plays of "Escape/Pina Colada"
and "Red Red Wine" (both of which require large amounts of straight Tequila, not Champagne or vino to listen to) the loyal
female listeners claim in person to be thrilled by the sappy stuff. It's rare that anything new makes it to the air (I mean old songs
that suddenly test well, much less newly released music.) With nothing to compare, musically on the air here, Mix, maybe could take a few tiny little risks which could put the numbers to like a 10 if some untested tweak just took it over the top. But, then again, corporate radio plays it to safe and why mess with anything when you're King? Still, though, if you listened now compared to a year ago, you might notice a little more upbeat tempo and attitude. Then again, Lionel Richie spoils the flow for me.

Jack's last tweaking seems to have cost so ###, while I thought Moose would have gotten the urge to take more from NRQ,
Jack seems even more sporadic and random, which it is supposed to be, but yet being to much across the board
seems to have actually hurt. Classic Rock and 80's/90's Rock based music geared toward 25-54 Males would have stolen
some of the thunder from The Rock. Is it proof that to much of a swing from one genre to another is to anti-format? Is
a playlist that repeats most of the music less than twice a week worse than overplay?

I know I catch more grief for this over an over on here, but Lighting 100 may not win in the numbers, but, why is it
that just about every person I know between 25 and 50 listens to this station? It's just a Hillsboro Village/Green Hills/West
End thing? Yet, I know few who listen to Mix, The Wolf or WSIX? Lots listen to Jack and The Zone. I think 100 is a truly
disrespected form of niche marketing that is punished for not playing to the masses. Like The Tennessean vs. The Scene
locally --- none of us would turn down the ad profits from The Scene. Yet, I don't see Lester Turner getting rich off 100.
Then again, I don't think that's his mission.

I guess the truth is people talk diverse playlists, but run from the security of the tried and true overplayed music. Kinda
sad, especially in Music City. Why doesn't anyone play John Denver?

 

[kruzerone]

I think, as a radio vet of 42 years, I can tell you how radio has devolved. The so-called "research" that takes place, nowadays, is based on title recognition. Certainly everyone has heard of a Beatles song for instance, BUT, does that mean anyone wants to hear that song for the millionth time? No.

Computer models look good to another computer, but not to humans. Simple, huh?

Nothing will ever beat a sharp program director who knows how to program music for human interest. "Interest" is the key word in radio. You are good until you are bad, then you are gone. That quick.

Today, announcers have zero control over the human flow of music. Music chosen by a human ear for human ears to listen to was what we called "professional" radio.

Computers are eliminating the passion from radio. Dehumanizing. There will never be another "Boss Radio" successful campaign because we've traded the human touch for a computerized 20 minute music segment.

And that, my friends is why airwave radio is quickly becoming the last choice of entertainment.

Regards

 

[jetfli]

Nothing will ever beat a sharp program director who knows how to program music for human interest. "Interest" is the key word in radio. You are good until you are bad, then you are gone.That quick.

One more thing I would add to this: Sharp program directors cost money. And just like the Titans salary cap, when the salary of a sharp programmer rises above a corporately-owned station's ROI formula, then they're cut loose no matter how sharp they are. Corporate bean-counters know stations that peak can get along with a "duller" program director that costs less money and coast for a couple of years on the reputation the sharp PD built.

I know I catch more grief for this over an over on here, but Lighting 100 may not win in the numbers, but, why is it
that just about every person I know between 25 and 50 listens to this station? It's just a Hillsboro Village/Green Hills/West
End thing? Yet, I know few who listen to Mix, The Wolf or WSIX? Lots listen to Jack and The Zone. I think 100 is a truly
disrespected form of niche marketing that is punished for not playing to the masses. Like The Tennessean vs. The Scene
locally --- none of us would turn down the ad profits from The Scene. Yet, I don't see Lester Turner getting rich off 100.
Then again, I don't think that's his mission.

Of course it's who you know and what circles you run in. I used to listen to 100 quite a lot, and my experience is, like me, most I know that listened have moved on. Musically, they left the eclectic side of me behind to go after a younger audience that really doesn't seem to care that much about them. Kind of like the way the Tennessean keeps trying to do things to go after a younger audience, but the true audience for newspapers are really older folks. Both seem to be trying to chase the club scene and they're a smaller percentage of the Metro area than they once were, and they don't seem to care about the "old media."

Of the 25-50 year olds with which I tend to hang out ('cause I are one) are sports fans, so they're listening to the Zone. When they're listening to music radio, they're listening to Jack or Mix, KDF or the Rock, WAY-FM or the Fish. Several listened to Oldies, at least part time or more, but now that option's gone. One or two still listen to NPR on occasion.

 

[Tibbs4]

Last two posts are right on great. Mix does consider each song at great length instead of just copying another stations playlist from yes.
Jet, I agree with you on your analogy of 100. It's hard to listen to any other station after such a varied playlist as 100, yet, it's
hard to listen to 100 after the last makeover. David Hall (MD) will disagree with me on that online here, but I think he'd agree the
emphasis is on a younger listener than two years ago. Most 100 listeners have opted for XM, Sirius, etc. I would say. Oh, and Jet, look
at the bright side --- The Trashaseean only takes me three-five minutes to scan through now. Make it three, since I can't make
sense of the editorial page(s) and half the sports page is non-sports filler. I with you on the Zone, but I think most men
my age are...it keeps us sane.

Great posts!

 

[SwissVol]

So I listen to the radio more than I use to now that I'm a part time radio personality and my full time job is healthcare. I listen to many stations now and all the station in Nashville seem to play the same music over and over. I hear the same songs four or five times a week. Mix 929 plays Red Red Wine and Because you loved me almost everyday. Jack FM plays Superfreak and Keep your hands to your self everyday or every other day. And the Rock plays Pour some sugar on me all the time. Is this what radio has come to now we have to hear the same songs over and over. Now I understand that you need to play the popular songs alot but everyday...NO.

What are your thoughts on this??

If someone said that way *way* too much researched studies has taken place in these radio formats, they are correct.

I would love to see "The Rock" at 105.9 one day just say to hell with this same ole same ole stuff and open up the damn playbook.

Assemble a vintage rock and blues format going from A-Z Allman Brothers to Blodwyn Pig to Fairport Convention to Led Zeppelin to Quicksilver messenger Service. Bring in every album or every piece of recorded works these aforementioned artists and other artist I did not mentionn, and basically open it all up.

Crazy? Oh no, you can not do that!! Why, many of those songs would have not have been Properlly researched.

Would this kind of station work? Let the jocks at 105.9 put together their own playlists. Let Mary Glen play her own tunes based on what she wanted to play that particular show. Basically whatever direction she wanted to take her show that particular day. I do not think Radio Lighning is even doing that. They pretty much receive a new CD and play one song for awhile. Then after a few weeks, they bring in another new song.

If 105.9 did that kind of radio again that would be exciting radio again, but it will never happen. You old time radio people do not need to lecture me why it will not happen because I know why it will never happen. Researched music and too much attention to what will work in a particular demo is the reason why it will never happen again

Nice to dream though!!!

 

[46radiofan]

Great post Kruzer. Your observations are precisely why I have gone to XM. I love the Deep Tracks channel that will play a non hit from just about any artist that was playing in the 60's 70's and 80's. I'll hear stuff that I haven't heard in years on one of my older albums. Love XM but I sure miss true classic rock FM stations. I guess I'm a dinasaur but thank goodness for satellite radio.

 

[SwissVol]

Great post Kruzer. Your observations are precisely why I have gone to XM. I love the Deep Tracks channel that will play a non hit from just about any artist that was playing in the 60's 70's and 80's. I'll hear stuff that I haven't heard in years on one of my older albums. Love XM but I sure miss true classic rock FM stations. I guess I'm a dinasaur but thank goodness for satellite radio.

"Deep Tracks" on XM is a station or channel thrown together by those who remember the glory days of "Album rock or progressive rock radio. I knopw WRLT listeners think that this kind of music is not Progressive, but fact is, this was the term used to describe this format back in the day. Modern formats have hijacked that term.

Anyway, guys such as George Taylor Morris WBOS FM, Earl Bailey WMMR FM and WNEW FM, Dan Near, WNEW FM all came from this radio background. It is the closest thing you will ever hear to what progressive rock radio sounded like in the day. It has been updated to include newer albums from great artists. Albums such as Hittin' the note by the Allman Brothers Band. Great album.

Early progressive radio was far more broad based than the later version called AOR.

You could often hear Joni MItchel and Black Sabbath in the same set of music. It was often interesting how the DJ built a music set without the so called "train wreck". Start with Joni MItchell and build the set to wild man Ozzy. About 10 songs later he might be up to Yes. LOL

Anyway it was great radio and still is as mentioned in your post.

I can go weeks without hearing the same song. Is that not wonderful radio or what?

 

[redneckriviera]

So I listen to the radio more than I use to now that I'm a part time radio personality and my full time job is healthcare. I listen to many stations now and all the station in Nashville seem to play the same music over and over. I hear the same songs four or five times a week. Mix 929 plays Red Red Wine and Because you loved me almost everyday. Jack FM plays Superfreak and Keep your hands to your self everyday or every other day. And the Rock plays Pour some sugar on me all the time. Is this what radio has come to now we have to hear the same songs over and over. Now I understand that you need to play the popular songs alot but everyday...NO.

What are your thoughts on this??

The short answer is "Because it works." Listeners form an expectation of what songs (and types of songs) they'll hear on a specific station, and they have that expectation when they turn it on. If you give them what they expect, they'll stick around, generating longer Time Spent Listening--and long TSL translates to high AQH, which translates directly into dollars. If you get creative and give them what they don't expect, they'll turn your station off, generating shorter TSL, lower AQH, and fewer dollars.

The longer answer: I teach this stuff at a large university, and I was 'splainin' to my kids the other day that the critical difference between commercial broadcasting (radio) and public broadcasting (radio) is this: in commercial radio, programming is a support mechanism for making money, while in public radio the money is a support mechanism for making programming. That's not very subtle. That's huge. It colors everything.

So don't look for commercial radio to play broader playlists--it works against their goal: making money. Instead, this kind of creative programming--taking chances, playing new artists & new tunes... oddball stuff, niche music & the like--is exactly what public & non-commercial stations are supposed to do. If they're not, you--the public--can make it happen. Volunteer, get involved, hang around long enough to get kicked up into a decision-making position, then do it.

 

[SwissVol]

Now based on what this poster just said, we can pretty much determine that FM is now what AM was in the old days and satelite, internet, public radio and perhaps HD 2 stations are now the new wild wild west frontiers of radio. The current FM Stations that have playlists selected for the highest ratings possible to gather in bigger money. Internet, satellite and HD2 sations could be the places where we get the creative music formats from those who want radio to be more than the same ole same ole.

 

[ratingsgeek]

Now based on what this poster just said, we can pretty much determine that FM is now what AM was in the old days and satelite, internet, public radio and perhaps HD 2 stations are now the new wild wild west frontiers of radio. The current FM Stations that have playlists selected for the highest ratings possible to gather in bigger money. Internet, satellite and HD2 sations could be the places where we get the creative music formats from those who want radio to be more than the same ole same ole.

Yeah, that's a pretty good analogy. Go back 50 years and it was the small AM sticks & daytimers that innovated--because necessity has always been the mother of invention. Do I remember correctly that Top 40 in Nashville started on the old WKDA-AM? Then the bigger, badder WMAK-AM came along and overwhelmed them?

But before writing off mainstream FM, don't dismiss those lower-rated big-uns like KDA-FM. Sooner or later they're going to get tired of being also-rans. When it finally dawns on them that taking a risk is better than getting their asses kicked every day, the light may come on!

 

[SwissVol]

Now based on what this poster just said, we can pretty much determine that FM is now what AM was in the old days and satelite, internet, public radio and perhaps HD 2 stations are now the new wild wild west frontiers of radio. The current FM Stations that have playlists selected for the highest ratings possible to gather in bigger money. Internet, satellite and HD2 sations could be the places where we get the creative music formats from those who want radio to be more than the same ole same ole.

Yeah, that's a pretty good analogy. Go back 50 years and it was the small AM sticks & daytimers that innovated--because necessity has always been the mother of invention. Do I remember correctly that Top 40 in Nashville started on the old WKDA-AM? Then the bigger, badder WMAK-AM came along and overwhelmed them?

But before writing off mainstream FM, don't dismiss those lower-rated big-uns like KDA-FM. Sooner or later they're going to get tired of being also-rans. When it finally dawns on them that taking a risk is better than getting their asses kicked every day, the light may come on!

I dunno, but I bet there might be one or perhaps two KDA Good guys or KDA Fm guys lurking around this posting forum. Not sure about that

Yanno, I think the first station in Nashville to feature a top 40ish type format was WSIX AM. I think KDA Good Guys and MAK came along a year or two years later. This was about 1956 or 57. Maybe KDA Good Guys were the first, but I seem to remember reading another post in a galaxy far far away that WSIX had a top 40 format at one time.