Why can't corporate radio give dance a chance?

[Wildstyle K]

What I cannot understand is why can't there be a dance station and a dance music enthusiast both in the right/same place at the same time?

Seemingly, it's (almost) always either a dance station ran by folks who have no interest in the format, or a top 40 station with a bunch of DJ's and/or other "lower authority people" who love dance, but end up getting stuck at some other format where they're limited and can't really do much about it at the type station they're at.

Obviously, there are many top corporate radio specialists out there who passionately love dance, but it seems as those are the type of people that just happen to never be present whenever and wherever a dance format is launched, while the people who don't know much about the music are somehow always there to "take over control" of the station. It seems like there's always some type of "right time, right place separation" that keeps the professional & potentially successful dance music enthusiast and the dance format apart.

 

[2Son]

What I cannot understand is why can't there be a dance station and a dance music enthusiast both in the right/same place at the same time?

Seemingly, it's (almost) always either a dance station ran by folks who have no interest in the format, or a top 40 station with a bunch of DJ's and/or other "lower authority people" who love dance, but end up getting stuck at some other format where they're limited and can't really do much about it at the type station they're at.

Obviously, there are many top corporate radio specialists out there who passionately love dance, but it seems as those are the type of people that just happen to never be present whenever and wherever a dance format is launched, while the people who don't know much about the music are somehow always there to "take over control" of the station. It seems like there's always some type of "right time, right place separation" that keeps the professional & potentially successful dance music enthusiast and the dance format apart.

I am starting to believe that "dance" is just too complicated for corporate radio to try to grasp. It's easier to be a simpleton.

 

[TonySantiago]

What I cannot understand is why can't there be a dance station and a dance music enthusiast both in the right/same place at the same time?

Seemingly, it's (almost) always either a dance station ran by folks who have no interest in the format, or a top 40 station with a bunch of DJ's and/or other "lower authority people" who love dance, but end up getting stuck at some other format where they're limited and can't really do much about it at the type station they're at.

Obviously, there are many top corporate radio specialists out there who passionately love dance, but it seems as those are the type of people that just happen to never be present whenever and wherever a dance format is launched, while the people who don't know much about the music are somehow always there to "take over control" of the station. It seems like there's always some type of "right time, right place separation" that keeps the professional & potentially successful dance music enthusiast and the dance format apart.

I am starting to believe that "dance" is just too complicated for corporate radio to try to grasp. It's easier to be a simpleton.

Corporate only sees one thing......$$$$$.

There ARE programmers out there that know what they are doing. It's really not a question on that side. If anything, some of them I have talked to over the years WISH they could do a dance format that has a bit of an edge to it but their hands are tied because of way upper management that would rather play something that has nothing to do with dance if it means getting more sales.

The point that has to be hammered is the fact that there is a dance music audience that is also a CONSUMER BASE. For this we're talking about a younger demo (18-34 though you can skew it up to 49) that may be purchasing their first car, into fitness, beauty products, clothing, tanning, travel, entertainment, cell phones/smartphones, computer products and gadgets....that general idea.

They don't care who Wynter Gordon is....only in the fact that her track could get that many people to tune in, that way advertisers can reach out to them.

That's what we have to prove and even though I can't afford research studies, that's where corporate will listen.

 

[Wildstyle K]

their hands are tied because of way upper management that would rather play something that has nothing to do with dance if it means getting more sales.

That's exactly my point. It seems like the true passionate dance fanatics somehow just never happen to be in upper management. I'm sure if some people with the true dance passion were in upper management, they'd be exploring ways to make SOME dance work, as oppose to just trying to simply fly with whatever can bring the most money. Put people in power who are passionate about anything and they will always lean towards what they're passionate about to some degree, IN ADDITION TO trying to do whatever brings the most revenue. I believe that the problem is most of the time, upper management doesn't really have a true passion for the music itself, so it's all about the money and not about the music.

In case anyone is misunderstanding anything I say, let me put it this way: Pretend that Obama's healthcare reform is the "dance music of government" and Obama as part of "upper management". NOBODY was ever going to consider trying healthcare reform because it wasn't something that would necessarily help the leader who's trying to push it, AND it was also nobody's passion. That was until Obama came in with his healthcare reform idea and passion and decided to risk his image by trying to push it to some degree - despite the fact he knew it wasn't the best idea for himself and his party, business wise. Of course, everyone didn't agree with what he was pushing for, but it wasn't until somebody who had the true passion to specifically make that change happen came along in upper government management that something began to happen (amongst other regular things) to some degree.

Hopefully people can see what I'm trying to say. We need someone in upper management who has a true passion for dance to at least get SOME things happening, no matter how small on the scale it may be. I truly believe that everything that's going on dance music-wise is MOSTLY because it's what's hot now. Not because someone genuinely wants it to happen. If we had more people in upper management who were passionate about dance, it could probably change the game, even if it's just a little bit.

 

[KyleSmith1988]

Maybe some corporate execs around the country colud take notice of the new dance stations in Vegas, as one example. I believe The Highway Vibe will be one of the highest rated stations in Las Vegas, added on with the other 2 frequencies for even bigger numbers. I'm actually suprised it hasn't been tried in most places around the country. Lots of people like to dance, and dance music is a great genre to 'dance' to. Many of the bigger cities around the country I'm sure could support a dance station. Lots of CHRs are already leaning toward dance. And I remember when Lady Gaga's Just Dance was on 94.5 The Vibe in Las Vegas in mid-2008 before she was very well known.

 

[TonySantiago]

their hands are tied because of way upper management that would rather play something that has nothing to do with dance if it means getting more sales.

That's exactly my point. It seems like the true passionate dance fanatics somehow just never happen to be in upper management. I'm sure if some people with the true dance passion were in upper management, they'd be exploring ways to make SOME dance work, as oppose to just trying to simply fly with whatever can bring the most money. Put people in power who are passionate about anything and they will always lean towards what they're passionate about to some degree, IN ADDITION TO trying to do whatever brings the most revenue. I believe that the problem is most of the time, upper management doesn't really have a true passion for the music itself, so it's all about the money and not about the music.

In case anyone is misunderstanding anything I say, let me put it this way: Pretend that Obama's healthcare reform is the "dance music of government" and Obama as part of "upper management". NOBODY was ever going to consider trying healthcare reform because it wasn't something that would necessarily help the leader who's trying to push it, AND it was also nobody's passion. That was until Obama came in with his healthcare reform idea and passion and decided to risk his image by trying to push it to some degree - despite the fact he knew it wasn't the best idea for himself and his party, business wise. Of course, everyone didn't agree with what he was pushing for, but it wasn't until somebody who had the true passion to specifically make that change happen came along in upper government management that something began to happen (amongst other regular things) to some degree.

Hopefully people can see what I'm trying to say. We need someone in upper management who has a true passion for dance to at least get SOME things happening, no matter how small on the scale it may be. I truly believe that everything that's going on dance music-wise is MOSTLY because it's what's hot now. Not because someone genuinely wants it to happen. If we had more people in upper management who were passionate about dance, it could probably change the game, even if it's just a little bit.

There's only ONE person on that level (I won't say who but you can read between the lines based on the very few stations we have here) and lately that station has been wavering towards rhythmic lately as opposed to dance.

I don't know if more people in upper management is going to help, rather than an investor(s) who STILL believes in radio that would buy stations and embrace dance music as an option. Once you have someone in power like that then MAYBE things can look better. Unfortunately you can have upper management people in the BIG companies fight as much as they can but you still have the CEO's in their suits that would love nothing more than shoot it down.

 

[Dancerev889]

Corporate radio is not going to flip a major station to dance until there is a success story. In this economy especially in radio people, everyone is grateful to still have a job. Corporate radio is a follower mentality. Right now what is bringing in the revenue?.... answer: talk formats! You are all ready seeing it in Philly and NYC

 

[nd2023]

The program director of 95.5 WPGC likes dance music and he brought a dance format to WPGC-HD2. He used to work at WWMX, and he launched a dance format on WWMX-HD2. I'm sure if he were still working at WWMX, its HD2 would be dance and the new 97.5 analog translator of WWMX-HD2 would be dance.

And I'm sure someone in upper management at Highway Radio saw potential in the Highway Vibe and decided to let it air 24/7 on all 3 Highway stations (not just the one in Vegas).

 

[TonySantiago]

Corporate radio is not going to flip a major station to dance until there is a success story. In this economy especially in radio people, everyone is grateful to still have a job. Corporate radio is a follower mentality. Right now what is bringing in the revenue?.... answer: talk formats! You are all ready seeing it in Philly and NYC

And honestly, from an NYC point of view, I STILL don't see the point of a WEMP (101.9). Maybe I'm NOT supposed to "get it" being that this is news geared to women but as bad as people complained about WRXP (rock), the station had better numbers although yes, doesn't matter about the numbers but about the demographics they are serving. I get that.

As sad as a legendary rock station such as WYSP made their flip, at least an established product was put in its place out of Sports Radio WIP. I won't lie to say that I want WEMP to fail. And someone has to take that step for the "followers" to roll along.

 

[Jersey Maiden]

Hey, I don't see the point of WEMP and I'm a woman. I'm sure no one would deny that chocolate is awesome but come on, do they think that's all we think of? Along with shoes and shopping? Absolutely patronizing! There are plenty of women out there who like rock and it's kind of sexist for Merlin Media to think I'd rather listen to mindless babble. While WRXP didn't have as broad of a playlist as WRRF (Philly), it was better than have NO non-classic rock station in New York.

Back to the main topic, I wonder why WKTU keeps saying "from the city that loves to dance" and yet they're not purely dance. Sometimes it crosses into soft rock territory (think Rihanna's "California King Bed"). It seems to have bit of an identity crisis.

 

[TonySantiago]

Back to the main topic, I wonder why WKTU keeps saying "from the city that loves to dance" and yet they're not purely dance. Sometimes it crosses into soft rock territory (think Rihanna's "California King Bed"). It seems to have bit of an identity crisis.

That's been a dilemma I've been trying to figure out with them, especially the last 5 years! lol But hey, they bill ???