The future of the AC format

[new_friends_gr]

I was just thinking about how the AC format has evolved in the past 20 years and wondered what the AC format will look like 20-30 years in the future.

I had to laugh at the possibility of artists like Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Britney Spears, and Ludacris being staples in the format in the 2030s. ;D

 

[Jay F]

I was just thinking about how the AC format has evolved in the past 20 years and wondered what the AC format will look like 20-30 years in the future.

I had to laugh at the possibility of artists like Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Britney Spears, and Ludacris being staples in the format in the 2030s. ;D

If those artists become AC staples someone will have to invent a new format that is softer and more office friendly. Unless the human race is devolving faster than I think it is there will always be room for one softer station in each market.

BTW, I could easily see those artists you mention work in a future retro type format, a classic hip hop/rhythmic. There will be a place for it just not as the future of AC.

 

[new_friends_gr]

I was just thinking about how the AC format has evolved in the past 20 years and wondered what the AC format will look like 20-30 years in the future.

I had to laugh at the possibility of artists like Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Britney Spears, and Ludacris being staples in the format in the 2030s. ;D

If those artists become AC staples someone will have to invent a new format that is softer and more office friendly. Unless the human race is devolving faster than I think it is there will always be room for one softer station in each market.

BTW, I could easily see those artists you mention work in a future retro type format, a classic hip hop/rhythmic. There will be a place for it just not as the future of AC.

I was being kinda facetious when I said that Eminem and Snoop Dogg will be considered staple AC artists in the future. Partly joking, but partly serious. By 2030, so many adults who used to be teens listening to that stuff will just be used to it and not think anything of it being considered AC. Who said Enimem and Snoop Dogg aren't office friendly? (Haha...just kidding.)

As far as a new format that's softer than an AC that's laced with Eminem and Snoop Dogg could be smooth jazz! Smooth jazz should make a comeback.

 

[ddsparxx]

Britney might be AC in the future but I I think it would be ludacris of corporate radio guys to put those rappers on AC radio.

 

[imhomerjay]

Not if that's what the audience in 2030 wants. What would be ludicrous would be applying 20- or 30-year-old definitions to a format where one of the words is, um, contemporary.

 

[Jay F]

Not if that's what the audience in 2030 wants. What would be ludicrous would be applying 20- or 30-year-old definitions to a format where one of the words is, um, contemporary.

I had a friend in 1990 predict that within the next couple of years all 70s would be off AC because the C stands for contemporary. Would he have been shocked at how many years/decades 70s stayed on AC, many play it to this day, 20 years after that wrong prediction.

There will probably be an audience for those hip hop and rhythmic pop artists in 2030 but AC won't be the best fit. There will be some type of gold based format that covers those artists, that is if radio as we know it even exists by that point.

 

[carolinaradio]

I figured most 70s would have been gone by 2000 and definitely all 60s.

Turn the local AC on today and heard 4 70s songs in one hour and even "My Girl" from the mid 60s along with the hits of today. And they are wildly successful.

 

[Jay F]

I figured most 70s would have been gone by 2000 and definitely all 60s.

Turn the local AC on today and heard 4 70s songs in one hour and even "My Girl" from the mid 60s along with the hits of today. And they are wildly successful.

I read in Sean Ross's newsletter that the PD of WLYF/Miami highly recommends ACs play 4 70s songs an hour..and that station is doing very well.

 

[semoochie]

At about the time the 60s disappear from the radio, the 70s won't be far behind. Reason: When baby boomers are no longer an advertiser target, 25-49 will return as the preferred demographic.

 

[Jay F]

At about the time the 60s disappear from the radio, the 70s won't be far behind. Reason: When baby boomers are no longer an advertiser target, 25-49 will return as the preferred demographic.

It might stay on the radio a little longer than expected. I am surprised at how many people in their 20s and 30s I have talked to who like 70s music. It's not all they listen to by any means. But there are some 70s songs they have heard on the radio over the years that they have grown to like.

 

[carolinaradio]

At about the time the 60s disappear from the radio, the 70s won't be far behind. Reason: When baby boomers are no longer an advertiser target, 25-49 will return as the preferred demographic.

It might stay on the radio a little longer than expected. I am surprised at how many people in their 20s and 30s I have talked to who like 70s music. It's not all they listen to by any means. But there are some 70s songs they have heard on the radio over the years that they have grown to like.

Agreed. I think 70s have much more staying power and mass appeal than 60s offered for the format. Better material. I don't think the era is in danger.

 

[Seltzer]

A/C is a "song" driven format. It really is about variety. That's why the smart stations continue to include 70s in their mix. But not a whole bunch of "wimpy ballads. Women today want tempo from their radio stations and most successful A/C stations have tempo. Even a station like WLYF that plays 4 70s songs an hour has some tempo to it.

The exception would be if you want to target the extreme older end of the A/C format...45-64 year olds, which can work in areas with high numbers of retirees...Florida, Arizona, southern markets. WDUV in Florida comes to mind.