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What is the next "fad" format?

W

wxman76

Over the last 15 years we saw a surge of a certain new format that was a hot "fad" for a format flip a couple of years, then cools off.

Since the 90s, we saw the rise of 70s oldies, 80s oldies, Modern AC. More recently, we saw Adult Hits/"Jack" and Rhythmic AC this decade.

What is the next new format, or have we exhausted all the possibilities?
 
I don't think we've exhausted the possibilities, but I think we all know that music is not the future of radio.

Young people won't rely on radio for music as previous generations did. Radio needs to create content it owns that appeals to large audiences.
 
Okay, people, let’s get back to answering wxman’s original question:

I think that we are at a point in time when we will see an all 90’s format, much like the all 80’s format we saw at the beginning of this decade. I predict this will happen within the next2-5 years.

I also think that “Chill” should be given another chance as a format.

--The Radio Kid
(AKA Oswego Jeremy, as nicknamed by George of the Radio Racket.)
My email: [email protected].
 
theradiokid said:
I think that we are at a point in time when we will see an all 90’s format,
Click to expand...

This has been discussed many times. One of the problems with 90s music is that it came after the splintering of music. So you have genres that are not compatable, such as rap and grunge, in the same format with pop and rock. MTV ran into this problem during the 90s, and it divided their audience. The difference between 90s music and the decades prior is that by the 90s, fans of certain music became intolerant of other formats. Backstreet Boys fans didn't like Nirvana, and Nirvana fans hated the Backstreet Boys. I don't know if this audience has changed as they've aged, but they were very passionate about their likes and dislikes when the music was current.

So while I expect existing formats like soft rock will incorporate 90s music (some already have), it'll be much more difficult to do all-90s music as a melting pot format the way they've done with previous decades
 
I must passionatly, but respectfully disagree with your acessment, BigA.

There is already a 90’s channel on XM satellite radio, and it does a nice job of encorporating all forms and formats of the 90’s. I think that, despite the differences and splintering of music, you will see this format transfer to terrestrial radio soon…

--The Radio Kid
(AKA Oswego Jeremy, as nicknamed by George of the Radio Racket.)
My email: [email protected].
 
For the most part, I agree with TheBigA. However, you can also make an argument that the mid-late 70s was also a very fractured time in music between disco, rock and 60s holdouts.

Hot AC covers Hootie, Alanis Morrisette, Matchbox 20, Goo Goo Dolls side of the 90s.

Modern Rock still plays Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Bush, etc.

Rhythmic AC covers Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys, etc.

A few years ago, I used to think that an all 90s pop based format could be viable, but not so much anymore. I would have thought somebody would have tried it by now, and to my knowledge nobody has. Have you noticed that many Hot AC stations, even in 2008, still have 80s weekends or lunch hours and very few have local 90s programming? I know of a few Hot ACs that were experimenting with specialty 90s programming, and some of those dropped it because it just wasn't testing as well as 80s music. As far as Hot AC goes, it seems like we heard much more 80s shows in 1998 than 90s shows in 2008.

Modern Rock is different though. There are many modern rockers that have 90s lunch hours or the occasional 90s holiday weekend special. Eventually the day is going to come, probably sometime by 2015-2020, when modern rock can no longer get away with playing so much 90s gold. About the same time, more classic rock stations will have to embrace the next generation of classic rock.

Therefore, the most likely 90s based format I see succeeding is a newer breed of "classic rock" that centers around core artists of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Bush, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots, The Offspring, etc., much like the "Lucy" channel on XM.
 
Wxman,

You mentioned a 90's pop format not being viable. Okay, but if you're gonna make that argument, then, you have to look at all the other fad formats of the past.

"Jammin Oldies" -- was not viable, and failed in 2-3 years (except some holdouts.)
All 80's -- Was not viable, and failed in 2 years.
Rhythmic AC -- Is not viable, and is failing.

The only fad format that seems to be viable is Adult Hits ("Jack," "Jill," "Joe," "Mike," "Bob," "Simon," "Tom," "Dick," "Harry...,...,...")

Anyways. When I mention a 90's format being tried, I really think it will happen. But, just like "Jammin Oldies," and all 80's, it will fail very quikly.

--The Radio Kid
(AKA Oswego Jeremy, as nicknamed by George of the Radio Racket.)
My email: [email protected].
 
That is true. It doesn't have to be a sucessful to be a "fad", hence why it is called a "fad". So I respect that counter argument. The question is will enough stations risk doing it? Say a few stations in a few markets. I guess we will find out in the next 5 years or so. I hope you're right. As an adolescent of the 90s, I personally would love to see it happen! I'm just skeptical.

I remember seeing a some 80s based stations pop up in the late 90s/early 2000s. Most have come and gone since then. One that has stayed as an 80s based format since 2000 is KHPT (106.9 The Point) in Houston. When I heard that station circa 2002, it was about 95% 80s with a small minority of late 70s and early 90s. Now, it is about 70% 80s and 30% 90s. However, most of the 90s tracks are the same ones that you will find on crosstown Hot AC Mix 96.5 with little or none in the way of rhythmic artists. Still, it will be interesting to keep an eye on this station, should it decide to remain classic hits next decade.
 
My view is radio formats built strictly around music lists are done. They can be generational lists, decade lists, or thematic lists. If all you're doing is playing a bunch of songs, like iPod on shuffle, it's not going to last.
 
TheBigA said:
My view is radio formats built strictly around music lists are done. They can be generational lists, decade lists, or thematic lists. If all you're doing is playing a bunch of songs, like iPod on shuffle, it's not going to last.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah? Then why is the "Jack" (whatever) format still around in most of it's markets?

--The Radio Kid
(AKA Oswego Jeremy, as nicknamed by George of the Radio Racket.)
My email: [email protected].
 
theradiokid said:
Oh yeah? Then why is the "Jack" (whatever) format still around in most of it's markets?
Click to expand...

First of all, there's been no growth in this format that I'm aware of in more than two years. Several major stations have dropped it. Only two markets where I know it's getting good ratings.

Second, I think this thread is trying to predict future fads. I don't expect to see any more Jack-like formats any time soon. Movin' was the last one, and it's treading water.
 
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