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What is up with Top 40/CHR in Atlanta?!

mike7586 said:
Holy crap... Q100 played Cascada - Evacuate The Dance Floor and I noticed they aren't playing Smashing Pumpkins, etc. anymore during the day. Could this be the start of something new for Q100? Are they finally getting it?!

There are probably many factors to why it was played; A hypothesis on the reason could be anything from Star*94 officially becoming established as a Hot AC (lessening the threat of them being tempted to transition back to a mainstream chr sound and giving Q a little more room to safely experiment or slightly shift), to the fact that maybe Q100 is generously trying to safely experiment a little with "risks" to see what the overall effects might be to make a final decision down the road on whether or not they wish to continue doing so.

Or, it could even be that there's really no meaning behind it (even though I'm personally hoping there is). After all, they do occasionally throw in songs that they don't use regularly, like "right now (na na na)" and "beautiful" by Akon. However, those are recurrents that I believe were once played. I will admit that the Cascada thing is definitely something to get you thinking and wondering a bit.
 
Did anybody actually hear the song play? I never mentioned it, but I do remember about a month ago it showed "somebody's watching me" by The Beatfreaks was also played on a Friday night. It wasn't Rockwell either because the Rockwell version does show up under "Rockwell". The Benni Bennassi "spaceship" listing amongst a few things on other stations turned out to just not be true, so this is why I ask if anyone actually heard the Cascada record play.
 
KDM 7000 said:
Did anybody actually hear the song play? I never mentioned it, but I do remember about a month ago it showed "somebody's watching me" by The Beatfreaks was also played on a Friday night. It wasn't Rockwell either because the Rockwell version does show up under "Rockwell". The Benni Bennassi "spaceship" listing amongst a few things on other stations turned out to just not be true, so this is why I ask if anyone actually heard the Cascada record play.

Yes.com sometimes makes that mistake by either putting some random song or a song totally out of the stations' format (especially during dance-intensive mixshows).
 
KDM 7000 said:
Did anybody actually hear the song play? I never mentioned it, but I do remember about a month ago it showed "somebody's watching me" by The Beatfreaks was also played on a Friday night. It wasn't Rockwell either because the Rockwell version does show up under "Rockwell". The Benni Bennassi "spaceship" listing amongst a few things on other stations turned out to just not be true, so this is why I ask if anyone actually heard the Cascada record play.

It wasn't a mistake. I was listening to the station at the time and they did indeed play Cascada - Evacuate The Dance Floor. I was surprised to hear them play it. They also played Taio Cruz - Higher but it didn't register on yes.com. I thought just maybe they would start going the dance/rhythmic route but judging by the playlist so far today they aren't there just yet. :(
 
It's also possible that they may be adding more dance pop hits without actually going rhythmic - but that's just another guess that is no better than anyone elses guesses here.

After listening to and noticing the playlist/music arrangement strategy being used on Q100, I will admit that (in my opinion) I believe Q100 has what it takes to easily be one of the best "real"sounding top 40 stations, based on how the music is arranged. Pop rock only sounds bad when a top 40 format isn't musically arranged properly. At least Q100 and Star*94 both knew how to arrange it so it sounded decent, even though it was not the actual top 40 sound that most "chr freaks" desired.
 
Just scanned through yes.com, and it doesn't look like they've really changed much - they still played Second Chance by Shinedown and No Surprise by Daughtry during the evening hours - I'm guessing they probably figured out that most adults aren't at work today, so the workday playlist didn't lean as "adult" as it usually does

Lol according to yes.com they also played Holiday by Vampire Weekend and Somewhere I Belong by Linkin Park ;D

Good for them IMO for playing Evacuate The Dancefloor though...
 
If they were to or are changing/tweaking, I don't think it would be overly obvious or at a drastic measure right away. As safe as they've always indicated that they love to be, if any change were to take place, it would be a slow & slight drift towards the end result of whatever tweakage was taking place.
 
Yeah, I don't think they are changing anything. Q100 was back to their same old antics today with a bunch of Hot AC songs and other randoms mixed in. They still played Cascada though, which is interestingly enough on the playlist now where as these other random songs are not. I don't know... I just think this station is really strange during the day. The playlist is very jumpy and it doesn't flow very well. Also, many of these random songs are only played between 10am and 3pm. I've never seen a CHR station like this. They usually have a playlist, and the songs are mixed up throughout the day. For example, if a station plays Beyonce - Naughty Girl, you could hear it at anytime, not only during a specific time frame. Q100 ONLY plays it between 10-3pm, just like old Alicia Keys, Vertical Horizon, and whatever other random stuff they have been throwing in as of recently. Judging from last Thursday and Friday, I thought they would finally stop doing this but I was wrong. Does nobody else think this is weird for a supposed CHR station?
 
It's called dayparting. Older songs being played in middays when the audience is a little older and likes older songs.

Thank god you're back on the same old soapbox Mike. It was a lonely long holiday weekend without your same song, same verse.

Back to the grind.

Monthly ratings coming out this week. It will be interesting to see that once again, Atlanta doesn't agree with you.
 
mike7586 said:
Q100 ONLY plays it between 10-3pm, just like old Alicia Keys, Vertical Horizon, and whatever other random stuff they have been throwing in as of recently. Judging from last Thursday and Friday, I thought they would finally stop doing this but I was wrong. Does nobody else think this is weird for a supposed CHR station?

During the daytime they're going after the at-work adult crowd, no doubt about it (last Thurs. and Fri. were holidays) - also seems like Q100 likes to play stuff that Star 94 specifically doesn't play - for some reason, Star avoids Vertical Horizon (not sure why), and never added Sick Puppies or Give A Little More

I acutally think the DJs on Q100 are sounding a lot better (they have more energy and more to say IMO than they did a few weeks back) - I actually wonder if they read these message boards lol...if they do, you guys sound much better! ;D
 
More people read these boards than most people believe. They may not post, but... they do read. I will not name names or give any examples to back up this knowledge, but... I'll just say a lot of "secret folks" come in here.

-Some have "high self control" and never give in to the temptation to post- either because it's not important to them or out of fear of who might find out.

-Some have "moderate self control" and will never post until "something pushes them over the line" to actually "have to" log for the first time, and then it's "well I don't normally say anything here, but this time..".

-Some just don't give a damn what happens or what people think and say whatever the heck they feel.

-Others... wait until something happens; they don't post until they lose their job or something, then "all hell breaks lose", as my sister would say.

They all may have their different ways and personalities, but the ones who are literate all have one thing in common: THEY READ, AND know EXACTLY what is going on here (regardless of whether they understood, misinterpreted, or remain apathetic to what they read).

Tie in the high rate of boredum amongst mankind today with the constant rise in internet fascination and computer related technology, and the desire to log into/read a forum like this will be almost as irresistible as facebook and twitter.

TRUE STORY:
I enjoyed my "black Friday shopping" the day after Thanksgiving (if you wish to consider buying an MP3 player, an auxiliary cord, and RCA cable at regular price "black Friday shopping"). While doing so, I ran into a radio station "broadcasting live" from a mall. The moment I stepped up to the booth and my voice was recognized by a certain employee, the laughter busted out, followed with "Man I be seeing all them posts you be postin on the boards- you really be gett'n them people all riled up, but it's funny because at the same time almost everything you say is right on point.... and you ain't scared to say it...| and I show other employees some of what you say and...." etc. (Do keep in mind that this is another section of the board being talked about here.)

So, ..... conclusion? People are reading. I doubt that there is any forum anywhere targeted towards a specific group of people, where those specific people who know about it never log in to see what someone might be saying about them, other people, or their "product". The belief that only women love gossip is false. Caring about what other people think is part of the complex, multidimensional way in which humans have been programmed and mentally wired to operate.  ;D
 
I don't personally know anyone in Atlanta except my old boss who got transfered and some guy from my high school who managed a listener supported station, but that's years ago.
 
Ok, I know I complain about this ad nauseum, but seriously, Q100 sounds horrible during the day (from 10am to around 3-4pm). Their playlist during the day is just a mess. It's just so "jumpy" and the station has no consistent flow and feel and it really messes up with their imaging if they even care about their imaging in the first place. Instead of trying to capture the "Star94 at work market" why don't they go after more people who would listen to the station if it was more of a true top 40 station? There are many markets out there that have a CHR and a Hot AC station, yet the CHR still sounds like a real CHR station (as in, you are likely to hear all the songs on their playlist anytime of the day and they don't throw in random recurrents that make no sense and only during a certain time period). I've listened to and observed a countless number of top 40 stations in most of the major markets and I've never seen anything like this. Obviously it isn't working because their latest ratings remained FLAT.
 
Without taking any sides here, I'll just say keep in mind how many urban stations are in existence in Atlanta. This is unlike almost any other town. I hate to admit it, but it is easier (in addition to more beneficial) for Q to go after the one WSTR's listeners than it is to take away from WWVA, WHTA, WVEE, and even WAJM. I admit, it would be nice for Q to add in a dirty bit more rhythm top 40 or urban influenced hits, and hits that are "ignored" on urban formats, such as Chris Brown "Yeah 3x" and other similar material. They should also add in Wocka Flocka Flame "No Hands".

If they were CBS owned, they would've.. ok, I can't even continue this with a straight face. I was obviously joking about the Wocka Flocka Flame! Anyway, if they were CBS owned, they would've been forced to use "We no speak Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool since (I heard that) all CBS stations were "told" to play it... but... looks like that song didn't go very far after all.

It would be great if Edward Maya's track and even "rocketeer" by Fareast Movement, Jose Feliciano "Feliz Navidad, and maybe even Pitbull "hey baby". ..Ok, there was a joke somewhere in there, too.
 
KDM 7000 said:
Without taking any sides here, I'll just say keep in mind how many urban stations are in existence in Atlanta. This is unlike almost any other town. I hate to admit it, but it is easier (in addition to more beneficial) for Q to go after the one WSTR's listeners than it is to take away from WWVA, WHTA, WVEE, and even WAJM. I admit, it would be nice for Q to add in a dirty bit more rhythm top 40 or urban influenced hits, and hits that are "ignored" on urban formats, such as Chris Brown "Yeah 3x" and other similar material. They should also add in Wocka Flocka Flame "No Hands".

If they were CBS owned, they would've.. ok, I can't even continue this with a straight face. I was obviously joking about the Wocka Flocka Flame! Anyway, if they were CBS owned, they would've been forced to use "We no speak Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool since (I heard that) all CBS stations were "told" to play it... but... looks like that song didn't go very far after all.

It would be great if Edward Maya's track and even "rocketeer" by Fareast Movement, Jose Feliciano "Feliz Navidad, and maybe even Pitbull "hey baby". ..Ok, there was a joke somewhere in there, too.

Yeah, I understand what you're saying, but despite that many urban stations here, many of them do not play the more "pop" sounding rhythmic songs that CHR's are suppose to play... and it's not even so much that they don't play a lot of "rhythmic" sounding music because I think the station sounds fine from about 5pm - 10am the next day, it's:

1) their weird song selections during the day
2) they only play these certain from 10am - 4pm

It creates a really inconsistent flow and image. In addition, I think their music selection could be much better. Instead of Smashing Pumpkins, Train - Drops of Jupiter, tired John Mayer songs, Crazy Town, Vertical Horizon, etc, they could play Panic at The Disco - I Write Sins Not Tragedies, Blink 182 - All The Small Things, Evanescence - Bring Me To Life, Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire, etc. (these are just examples to prove my point - I don't know if they would work or not but there are many other songs out there that would make more sense than what they are playing now) And All Saints - Never Ever, Inoj songs, Next - Too Close, etc.. can you say random? They already play "Hot ACish" songs on their playlist, like Beyonce - Irreplaceable, Gavin DeGraw, Maroon 5, etc. anyways so I don't know why they feel like they need more, especially really random ones? Also, I think I should mention that while they are playing these "Hot AC" tracks, they are also mixing in stuff like Notorious B.I.G., Eminem - Lose Yourself, Beyonce - Naughty Girl, Nelly - Hot in Here, and Sean Paul... so how do they all fit together? If their goal is to attract the at work crowd, why add those songs too?

Whatever they are doing, clearly it's not working all that well for them or they would see their ratings go up and not stay flat.
 
mike7586 said:
KDM 7000 said:
Without taking any sides here, I'll just say keep in mind how many urban stations are in existence in Atlanta. This is unlike almost any other town. I hate to admit it, but it is easier (in addition to more beneficial) for Q to go after the one WSTR's listeners than it is to take away from WWVA, WHTA, WVEE, and even WAJM. I admit, it would be nice for Q to add in a dirty bit more rhythm top 40 or urban influenced hits, and hits that are "ignored" on urban formats, such as Chris Brown "Yeah 3x" and other similar material. They should also add in Wocka Flocka Flame "No Hands".

If they were CBS owned, they would've.. ok, I can't even continue this with a straight face. I was obviously joking about the Wocka Flocka Flame! Anyway, if they were CBS owned, they would've been forced to use "We no speak Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool since (I heard that) all CBS stations were "told" to play it... but... looks like that song didn't go very far after all.

It would be great if Edward Maya's track and even "rocketeer" by Fareast Movement, Jose Feliciano "Feliz Navidad, and maybe even Pitbull "hey baby". ..Ok, there was a joke somewhere in there, too.

Yeah, I understand what you're saying, but despite that many urban stations here, many of them do not play the more "pop" sounding rhythmic songs that CHR's are suppose to play... and it's not even so much that they don't play a lot of "rhythmic" sounding music because I think the station sounds fine from about 5pm - 10am the next day, it's:

1) their weird song selections during the day
2) they only play these certain from 10am - 4pm

It creates a really inconsistent flow and image. In addition, I think their music selection could be much better. Instead of Smashing Pumpkins, Train - Drops of Jupiter, tired John Mayer songs, Crazy Town, Vertical Horizon, etc, they could play Panic at The Disco - I Write Sins Not Tragedies, Blink 182 - All The Small Things, Evanescence - Bring Me To Life, Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire, etc. (these are just examples to prove my point - I don't know if they would work or not but there are many other songs out there that would make more sense than what they are playing now) And All Saints - Never Ever, Inoj songs, Next - Too Close, etc.. can you say random? They already play "Hot ACish" songs on their playlist, like Beyonce - Irreplaceable, Gavin DeGraw, Maroon 5, etc. anyways so I don't know why they feel like they need more, especially really random ones? Also, I think I should mention that while they are playing these "Hot AC" tracks, they are also mixing in stuff like Notorious B.I.G., Eminem - Lose Yourself, Beyonce - Naughty Girl, Nelly - Hot in Here, and Sean Paul (and these songs actually do make more sense)... but how do they all fit together? If their goal is to attract the at work crowd, why add those songs too?

Whatever they are doing, clearly it's not working all that well for them or they would see their ratings go up and not stay flat.
 
Speaking of Inoj, her song(s) were very slickly produced. I don't think she and her producer planned for this to happen, but she's pretty much the only one with a bass / booty bass hit (or two) that were/are safe enough to cross over into hot ac. I don't even think Ghosttown DJ's have earned their way into hot ac, and I don't really consider "glamorous" by Fergie to be... well, bass. If they are playing Inoj or Ghost Town Dj's, then I can see why since Atlanta is both of their home towns and V103 + Hot 107.9 blew them up BIG time (I miss those days!).

As far as ratings, I don't think they are too concerned about remaining flat, since that sort of indicates that they didn't lose many or any people. They would be more concerned if the ratings fell, especially two ratings periods in a row (one alone may just be a natural occurrence from time to time) and I'm not really sure what they'd do or which direction they'd try to tweak if ratings began to decline. To be honest, I actually think Q's ratings may have risen a bit. Is that a good thing or a bad thing when it comes to wishful thinking? Well... keep in mind that it went up - EVEN WITH some of the new stuff they threw in! You surely don't want to suggest they become risky with certain music, then as soon as they show signs of being acceptive to the idea and doing so (even to the slightest), you see ratings fall down!

I think Q would do fine with the workplace as an all day, non day parted top 40 since chr's tend to always do well in the work place, but they've probably discovered that they do even better with day parting. There's also a looong history of pop rock lean top 40 in Atl, so I think that's another reason why it continues to work so well. People are used to it, and the adult crowd probably grew up on Star*94 (as I did), which is the demographic Q wants a piece of during the day. I remember back when it was just Star*94 and V103, and I had to listen to Radio Disney to "hear exclusive hits" sometimes!

Oh, and lastly, I guess I was wrong about "We no speak Americano" not going too far because I'm currently listening to the Interactive 9 @ 9 on KZZP, and for some reason the song IS #2! The success of that song just baffles me, period.. but I'm not complaining!
 
KDM 7000 said:
if they were CBS owned, they would've been forced to use "We no speak Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool since (I heard that) all CBS stations were "told" to play it...

All CBS chr rhythmics, of course.

And as far as Q's ratings, they've gone up then pretty much remained steady..
What would be the result if they leaned more rhythmic? Who knows... but I'm sure it would probably start digging into WWVA's (still (re)growing) listener pool a dirty bit while pushing a few "anti-rhythmic" listeners off to Star*94. Q would definitely still be one of a kind, though- as long as they didn't go overboard with the "rhythmic activity".
 
Guys, Q100 basically almost cut Star 94's ratings in half when they went adult Top 40 on the 99.7 signal - IMO they'd have to be crazy to stop dayparting

Atlanta's got two Urbans and two Urban ACs, all four with huge ratings - L. A., for comparison, doesn't have any Urbans or Urban ACs - it's just a completely different market

The only CBS rhythmic-leaning CHR that's doing really well is KAMP (and it's in a market which is hugely Hispanic) - the others all have ratings that are relative low, so following their example and blindly adding We No Speak Americano is probably not a good idea IMO

If you guys really like rhythmic music/hip-hop, there are two urbans and a rhythmic - do you guys really think we need two huge Urban stations, two huge Urban ACs, a rhythmic, AND a rhythmic-leaning CHR?
 
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