Start Later... and Play Longer

[x13thfloorrand]

A great editorial about the current state of Christmas music in today's Buffalo News. Incredibly written by someone presumably in the key demo that listens to holiday music.

One more time from the non-demo: Holiday Music from Dec2nd-Dec 30th. That's it.

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20061218/1044947.asp

 

[SirRoxalot]

Ho-ho-ho'ing out the Holidays

I wonder if the Promotions Dept. at WHTT found Barb Rader's address yet so they can send her a "Listen to US, not THEM" postcard?

It would be interesting to see what would happen if WHTT sprinkled in a couple of Christmas songs per hour from Dec. 26 - Jan. 1. Especially if they were songs that 'JYE and Star HADN'T pounded to death.

 

[Philip_Airtime]

I've been pounding this message for years on this and other boards. If Entercom and Regent truly cared about listeners, they would play Christmas music through New Year's. But they don't. All they care about is their bottom line. Christmas music starts in mid-November for one reason, and one reason only -- to get listeners in the buying mood for sponsors. Once Christmas ends, and the holiday commercial buys are over, there is no longer a reason to play Christmas music. If they questioned their listeners, I have no doubt the vast majority would say they would prefer hearing Christmas music through New Years rather than in mid-November. But it's not about the listeners. And that's one of the reasons why radio is dying, folks!

 

[Desert Pete]

Are you high? I've worked in radio for 33 years on high and low rated music stations, and ... without excpetion ... the Christmas music stops after Christmas Day for one and only one reason. Because CHRISTMAS IS OVER.

 

[Element9]

...If Entercom and Regent truly cared about listeners, they would play Christmas music through New Year's... Christmas music starts in mid-November for one reason, to get listeners in the buying mood for sponsors... Once Christmas ends, and the holiday commercial buys are over, there is no longer a reason to play Christmas music. If they questioned their listeners, I have no doubt the vast majority would say they would prefer hearing Christmas music through New Years rather than in mid-November. But it's not about the listeners. And that's one of the reasons why radio is dying, folks!

I respectfully disagree, not with your sentiments, which are understandable, but with your contention. You're known for some thoughful posts on these boards and it's not my intent to diminish your argument.

However, stations like WJYE and WTSS usually begin playing Christmas music when there are four weeks remaining in the Fall book. They do so because women, especially those in the 35-64 demo for god only knows what reason, are drawn to it. The stations play All-Christmas music more to attract these listeners than to attract or stimulate in-store sales and advertsing, which are the by products of the All-Christmas format.

Most of the research that I've seen and read (three commisioned reports and about a dozen reports printed in the trades over the last five years) indicates that many adult listeners will tell interviewers and researchers that they do not like All-Christmas-Music, yet behind closed doors, they listen to it. In this regard, the syndrome may be similar to guys who said they hated disco, but still sampled it, especially when their wives/girlfriends listened to it on the radio.

Similarly, most of the research that I've seen indicates, by a close margin, that shortly after Christmas, listeners aren't as intensely interested in hearing Christmas music. "After Christmas" has been defined in most research that I've seen as "a few days after Christmas." For the sake of argument, let's say it's December 28th. Then again, it may depend on WHEN Christmas occurs... mid-week, weekend, etc. It's very easy to see that if Christmas falls on a Friday, it would be a good idea to continue the music, rotated with normal format music, through the weekend.

Is there any doubt that WTSS or WJYE (maybe both) will have another big Fall book, thanks in part to All-Christmas, All-The-Time? we'll find out in about a month.

-9-

 

[x13thfloorrand]

heres another one...

I've stated my opinion and maybe the recent changes in the market may make stations change the time frame. Most opinions here have valid points. Most posters here are not female and thus the assumption that we don't like christmas music as much as the ladies do.

There is a time and place for everything, and 12/26 at midnight, it's back to Maroon 5 and Fleetwood Mac

Wasnt there a time when the sched looked like

1st 7 days: 2 per hour
Next 7 days: 4 per hour
Third: 7 days: 6 per hour
Fourth and last week. 8 per hour
Dec 24th-Dec 26th: All Christmas.

 

[rdcuffpa1]

Are you high? I've worked in radio for 33 years on high and low rated music stations, and ... without excpetion ... the Christmas music stops after Christmas Day for one and only one reason. Because CHRISTMAS IS OVER.

In mainline Christian denominations, Christmas lasts until January 6th...as in "On the 12th day of Christmas..."

Richard in Allentown

 

[x13thfloorrand]

Maybe not till Jan 6th... but

WJYE is peppering the hour with a few Christmas songs for the remainder of the week.
Plus, they have put in their 'free research' system (the "resolution" line, where one can submit ideas on how the station can do better in 2007)

 

[NeedsMoreCowbell]

TSS is also mixing in 1-2 songs an hour, sounds like. Weird to hear Bon Jovi going into Burl Ives - talk about the "Jack" effect!

 

[Element9]

Re: Maybe not till Jan 6th... but

WJYE is peppering the hour with a few Christmas songs for the remainder of the week.
Plus, they have put in their 'free research' system (the "resolution" line, where one can submit ideas on how the station can do better in 2007)

The 97 Rock "feedback line," the Lake "listener line," the WGR "whiner line" and now the WJYE "resolution line."

It must be fun to hear the calls from those fat old ladies with creamcheese thighs, lard [EDIT] and blue hair who can't get enough of playing contests and Barry Manilow, Elvis, Neil Diamond and Lance Diamond.

Sorry, it's not like me to be jaded, but do A-C listeners really respond to "research" like this? I could see how Lake listeners, 97 Rock listeners and even WYRK listeners (with more than five teeth) buy in, but not WJYE and AC listeners.


-9-



[profanity]

 

[SirRoxalot]

Re: Maybe not till Jan 6th... but

The 97 Rock "feedback line," the Lake "listener line," the WGR "whiner line" and now the WJYE "resolution line."
...
Sorry, it's not like me to be jaded, but do A-C listeners really respond to "research" like this? I could see how Lake listeners, 97 Rock listeners and even WYRK listeners (with more than five teeth) buy in, but not WJYE and AC listeners.

9, when was the last time you asked a woman what she thought and didn't get an answer?

These are likely the same women who call Delilah. Good luck extracting "research" from that.

 

[Radknowski]

Re: Maybe not till Jan 6th... but

WJYE is peppering the hour with a few Christmas songs for the remainder of the week.
Plus, they have put in their 'free research' system (the "resolution" line, where one can submit ideas on how the station can do better in 2007)

It must be fun to hear the calls from those fat old ladies with creamcheese thighs, lard butts and blue hair who can't get enough of playing contests and Barry Manilow, Elvis, Neil Diamond and Lance Diamond.

Sorry, it's not like me to be jaded, but do A-C listeners really respond to "research" like this? --9-

C'mon 9... When you demean listeners based on their appearances, you DO sounded jaded... and nasty. Nobody really cares what listeners LOOK like, just as long as they listen. Granted, some listeners aren't particular about their appearances and some aren't as articulate as radio people would like them to be... but shouldn't you be happy that they LISTEN to your radio station? The way I see it, Wal-Mart doesn't care what its customers LOOK like, just as long as they come into the store, shop and spend money.[/MR]