They played We Belong by Pat Benetar on KZOK

[KilowattKat]

This Pat Benatar song that supposedly is causing outrage among every KZOK male listener and making them tune out, has been played twice in the last 24 hours, and the only Benatar song that was played. Yeah, that iHeart, we all know they are in the business of sabotaging and destroying their radio stations, with all their faulty research. But, apparently, that core demo of construction workers knows better than anyone on how to create a successful Classic Rock radio station

 

[Cobra14]

Mission accomplished. This discussion board CAN get lively. Even managed to get a Kokomo joke and stir up some lurkers. Someone even dropped the word “synergy” in there. You’re welcome.

The take away, there’s a lot of junk that gets played on the radio while there’s a whole lot of great music that doesn’t get airplay AT ALL.

Never My Love by The Association. oOoOoOhhhh!!! That song aged out of rotation. Haha.

 

[Kelly A]

I don’t think the country matters at all here, Kelly.

You may not, but it definitely does make a difference in their playlist. It's one reason they say every BC or Canadian province station is an AOR station: (All Over the Road)

Sure, it would matter if I picked out the can-con music that rotates throughout the day, but these are songs that I’ve all heard on KJEB (save for Iggy Pop). The only difference here is that Vancouver lacks a classic hits station so the classic rock station serves both audiences. I think it’s a little weird to go from actual rock so many songs like these, but they do it.

And another reason why streaming U.S. stations is so popular in BC:

From the Canadian Content Requirements page of CRTC:

"Radio stations program a wide variety of popular music radio formats to meet the needs of their listeners. While most popular music formats tend to feature contemporary vocal music, other music formats – such as nostalgia, oldies, adult standards and middle of the road (MOR) – program "older" popular music styles that may include vocal and instrumental music."​

As well, commercial radio stations have to ensure that Special Interest Music selections, including Canadian content, are scheduled in a reasonable manner throughout the broadcast day.

When these stations renew their licenses, they’re expected to propose an increase in the Canadian Special Interest Music they play – except in the case of concert music or jazz and blues. Those operating a concert / classical music format must also provide specific commitments to the broadcasting of works by Canadian composers.

"The availability of older Canadian popular music within this group may be limited compared to contemporary music genres. With this in mind, the CRTC provides some flexibility in terms of Canadian content requirements (through either regulation or condition of licence)."

"Oldies music: in any broadcast week where at least 90% of the popular music aired consists of selections released before January 1 1981, at least 30% must be Canadian, both on a weekly basis and between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday"

 

[Cobra14]

Another takeaway. There’s a whole lot of people who agree that We Belong doesn’t belong on KZOK, they just don’t want to say so on here because they don’t want alienate themselves from the regular 8 or so posters here who’ve created an unfriendly environment for anyone with a differing opinion from them. To those of you who are in the silent majority, you’re welcome too. 🤫🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[Harvey_Dogg]

No reason for anyone to get their shorts in a knot. After all, it's only radio. By the way, I like differing opinions. I don't surround myself with yes-men.

 

[AceBiscuits]

Mission accomplished. This discussion board CAN get lively. Even managed to get a Kokomo joke and stir up some lurkers. Someone even dropped the word “synergy” in there. You’re welcome.

Hey now, synergy is a good crossword puzzle word.

There’s a whole lot of people who agree that We Belong doesn’t belong on KZOK, they just don’t want to say so on here because they don’t want alienate themselves from the regular 8 or so posters here who’ve created an unfriendly environment for anyone with a differing opinion from them. To those of you who are in the silent majority, you’re welcome too.

Some people do have strong opinions on this board, I'd say yours is also a bit strong bearing in mind that the song is a staple of the format, but to each their own.

 

[fordranger797]

You may not, but it definitely does make a difference in their playlist. It's one reason they say every BC or Canadian province station is an AOR station: (All Over the Road)

And another reason why streaming U.S. stations is so popular in BC:

From the Canadian Content Requirements page of CRTC:

"Radio stations program a wide variety of popular music radio formats to meet the needs of their listeners. While most popular music formats tend to feature contemporary vocal music, other music formats – such as nostalgia, oldies, adult standards and middle of the road (MOR) – program "older" popular music styles that may include vocal and instrumental music."​

As well, commercial radio stations have to ensure that Special Interest Music selections, including Canadian content, are scheduled in a reasonable manner throughout the broadcast day.

When these stations renew their licenses, they’re expected to propose an increase in the Canadian Special Interest Music they play – except in the case of concert music or jazz and blues. Those operating a concert / classical music format must also provide specific commitments to the broadcasting of works by Canadian composers.

"The availability of older Canadian popular music within this group may be limited compared to contemporary music genres. With this in mind, the CRTC provides some flexibility in terms of Canadian content requirements (through either regulation or condition of licence)."

"Oldies music: in any broadcast week where at least 90% of the popular music aired consists of selections released before January 1 1981, at least 30% must be Canadian, both on a weekly basis and between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday"

That’s interesting info, Kelly. I can definitely see your point about how the rules are too strong and create an environment that isn’t exactly friendly to the broadcasting company trying to get by in difficult market. I think it would have been more useful here to look at an example of a US station that also mixes classic hits and classic rock on the same station. The point I was trying to make is that in ANY market, having only one station dedicated to “older” music results in a “schizophrenic” playlist. Can-con aside, CFMI sounded more cohesive when there was a dedicated classic hits station on the dial. Of course they played can-con music, but it was all “rock.” Now there’s music that is arguably not rock at all.

 

[Kelly A]

That’s interesting info, Kelly. I can definitely see your point about how the rules are too strong and create an environment that isn’t exactly friendly to the broadcasting company trying to get by in difficult market. I think it would have been more useful here to look at an example of a US station that also mixes classic hits and classic rock on the same station.

I understand how you and some listeners find Canadian radio different and exotic as compared with U.S. music stations. My point was that Canadian stations are the way they are as a license requirement, not just for interesting variety. I'll guarantee you that if the CRTC didn't regulate music content/formats, that Canuck stations would sound very similar to U.S. stations with emphasis on 'playing the researched hits'.

The point I was trying to make is that in ANY market, having only one station dedicated to “older” music results in a “schizophrenic” playlist.

You might not have known-of, or it's before your time, but decades ago Pat O'Day and Ivan Braker(sp) started a satellite-delivered programming network service based out of the PNW, sort of like Jones/Westwood One, called Braker Radio. They had several typical formats for stations with live jocks that featured: Country, Rock, Pop, etc. There was one format which was Pat's baby called: The Mega. It was essentially a mix of rock, pop, country crossover, and adult hits. Only a handful of stations picked up the format, and didn't keep it long. Stations which carried The Mega found the TSL was terrible, because the tune-out factor was through the roof.

Can-con aside, CFMI sounded more cohesive when there was a dedicated classic hits station on the dial. Of course they played can-con music, but it was all “rock.” Now there’s music that is arguably not rock at all.

In reading the rules, come each license renewal, Canadian stations are required to up-their game in committing-to more Canadian content and more variety for the next term. Some CRTC Functionary reviewing their license renewal could literally require a station to play more Rush, or whatever artist. To me, that's hard to wrap my head around as a positive.

 

[Rock 100.7]

It didn't "slip in". It's in rotation, as it is on all of iHeart's other classic rock stations.

Let me be more clear. When I looked up the song on Mediabase, it didn't show up on ANY Classic Rock stations.

 

[guruofradio]

Pat Benetar is a staple of Classic Rock in the US and Canada. We Belong has been in rotation on KZOK for years along with Love Is A Battlefield and Hit Me with Your Best Shot. Those three are on dozens of Classic Rock stations across the US according to BDS. Adds variety and would bet it tests very well. KZOK is one of the better Classic Rock stations in the US and has been for years .Can-Con rules make Canadian radio sound very different as Kelly points out, got to give them credit for supporting Canadian artists (well maybe not Nickleback and Justin Bieber!)

 

[TheBigA]

Let me be more clear. When I looked up the song on Mediabase, it didn't show up on ANY Classic Rock stations.

Look again. Here is the song in context of what Mediabase lists today from KZOK's playlist:

16 38 PEARL JAM
Alive Epic 1991

25 39 PAT BENATAR
We Belong Chrys./ERG 1984

26 40 BLACK SABBATH
Paranoid Warner Bros. 1970

 

[guruofradio]

OMG!!! Kokomo got a spin on a Classic Rock Radio station in the US last week. In checking Pat Benetar, who spun on 80-90 Classic Rock stations I noticed WWZY in New Jersey gave Kokomo ONE spin. Not kidding. 😬 This board should be pleased.

 

[seatownmedia]

I really don’t get this thread. Just because Pat was played on top 40 doesn’t mean it wasn’t a rock hit as well. In fact, most top 40’s in the 70’s and 80’s were called rock stations. That has changed, but I have always thought Benatar a rock artist.

All of the following top 40 Benatar songs had a rock feel IMO:

Heartbreaker
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Treat Me Right
Fire and Ice
Shadows of the Night
We Belong

 

[Cobra14]

This Pat Benatar song that supposedly is causing outrage among every KZOK male listener and making them tune out, has been played twice in the last 24 hours, and the only Benatar song that was played. Yeah, that iHeart, we all know they are in the business of sabotaging and destroying their radio stations, with all their faulty research. But, apparently, that core demo of construction workers knows better than anyone on how to create a successful Classic Rock radio station

They probably have an opinion that should be validated. They spend the money at the businesses who advertise. Pull the song from rotation and see if effects TSL at all. Play Led Zeppelin or Jethro Tull instead during that time. Watch what happens.

 

[Cobra14]

I really don’t get this thread. Just because Pat was played on top 40 doesn’t mean it wasn’t a rock hit as well. In fact, most top 40’s in the 70’s and 80’s were called rock stations. That has changed, but I have always thought Benatar a rock artist.

All of the following top 40 Benatar songs had a rock feel IMO:

Heartbreaker
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Treat Me Right
Fire and Ice
Shadows of the Night
We Belong

It’s ok, you don’t need to get or understand the thread. It’s already accomplished a lot more than I expected it would. Thanks for participating.

 

[Cobra14]

Look again. Here is the song in context of what Mediabase lists today from KZOK's playlist:

16 38 PEARL JAM
Alive Epic 1991

25 39 PAT BENATAR
We Belong Chrys./ERG 1984

26 40 BLACK SABBATH
Paranoid Warner Bros. 1970

Which of these doesn’t fit. Apple, avocado, orange. Not too complicated.

 

[Cobra14]

Hey now, synergy is a good crossword puzzle word.


Some people do have strong opinions on this board, I'd say yours is also a bit strong bearing in mind that the song is a staple of the format, but to each their own.

Synergy is a popular buzz word among people playing the management role around the business world.

 

[Cobra14]

This Pat Benatar song that supposedly is causing outrage among every KZOK male listener and making them tune out, has been played twice in the last 24 hours, and the only Benatar song that was played. Yeah, that iHeart, we all know they are in the business of sabotaging and destroying their radio stations, with all their faulty research. But, apparently, that core demo of construction workers knows better than anyone on how to create a successful Classic Rock radio station

Also, how many pro “We Belongers” here work for a classic rock station, or who work for the direct competition that want people to tune away from (insert local classic rock station). ? Maybe you want KZOK listeners to leave for another station. ?

 

[michael hagerty]

 

[Cobra14]

OMG!!! Kokomo got a spin on a Classic Rock Radio station in the US last week. In checking Pat Benetar, who spun on 80-90 Classic Rock stations I noticed WWZY in New Jersey gave Kokomo ONE spin. Not kidding. 😬 This board should be pleased.

Good work finding that one. Send them a thank you note from all of us.