Why does the Country music format continously fail to succeed in large markets?

[icycool7227]

I'd like to know why country stations are failing in the large markets. I don't get why it's still so popular in small markets like Chattanooga, TN where there are like 4 country stations:

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=Chattanooga&state=TN&sid=&x=0&y=0

South Folton, TN with 6 country stations:

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=South+Fulton&state=TN

and in Sioux Falls, SD where there are 7 country stations!:

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=Sioux+Falls&state=SD&x=0&y=0

And of course you can't forget the state of Texas where it's country heaven.

I myself don't really like country music but would like to know why it's not so popular in the biggest markets. New York City has had no country stations for a while now and now L.A. has none. What a disappointment it must be to the listeners. In Sioux Falls, SD, if they flipped all 7 country stations, boy what ratings and money they would lose. Hawaii only has one country station but that's in Hilo - not the big city of Honolulu. Am I right in gathering the fact that country music doesn't work right near the coasts or parts of water? What's the deal?

Now that the the two biggest market's country stations are gone (some listeners may pick up 100.7 KHAY in Ventura, CA) it seems that the statement that country music is wrong. It may not be that popular now that a big percentage of the U.S.'s population in big cities don't have that format, am I correct? Course, there's always HD country radio as well as streaming country online but it's the regular dial that they are talking about.

 

[briancraig]

It is simply a matter of demographics. The markets without country are perceived as being "too ethnic" to support a country station.

I doubt if there are any black gospel stations in Sioux Falls.

 

[Jay F]

I agree with Brian that the markets without country are considered "too ethnic" for the format to succeed. I would also add that a high percentage of non-ethnics look down on country music in huge cities like NY and LA. These elitists think of country as "hick music".

LA might or might not get a replacement station for KZLA. NY will not get a country station anytime soon. I strongly feel this has nothing to do with how healthy the format is nationally. Arbitron just reported that Country was up nationally in the recently released Spring 06 survey. The format is doing fine, it should shock no one that country music does better in country settings than in the largest cities..afterall it's called "country" not "city".

 

[jh]

Re: Why does the Country music format continously fail to succeed in large marke

It all has to do with the make up of the market...

Although there's no longer a country station in LA, in nearby Riverside-San Bernardino, country (KFRG) is number two. One could make the argument that considering the ethnic makeup of LA, the Regional Mexican stations are really the "country" stations in LA... and there are three with good ratings on FM and one on AM. It's probably the most listened to format in LA.

Smooth Jazz does well in very large, ethnic markets... and generally fails miserably in smaller, midwest markets.

As far as Sioux Falls, there are actually eight country stations listed in the market on Radio Locator... but *only* four are actually Sioux Falls stations. The other four are in nearby communities and happen to put some type of signal over Sioux Falls, but are targeted to their local communities. No one really knows how many people are listening to country stations in Sioux Falls, as the market is no longer rated. And no, there isn't a black gospel station there! (or smooth jazz.)

 

[RFLA]

Re: Why does the Country music format continously fail to succeed in large marke

I agree with everyones take... country is a popular format in the south and midwest and always has been since stations pretty much went to it as a format.... Supposedly talks to the "country" listener... There are more country stations than any other in the US I do know.

But agree on the racial makeup of a city determining if country will survive. I talk to people in New England who can't beleive I have 6 country stations in listening range where they are lucky to have one...

Whereas here in the south where I'm at, I find new rock is severly lacking, whereas it's big in the midwest...

Different strokes for different folks I suppose

RFLA

 

[eatspaste]

I'd like to know why country stations are failing in the large markets. I don't get why it's still so popular in small markets like Chattanooga, TN where there are like 4 country stations:

Not every format is going to do well and/or make money in every market. Country might not work in New York City the same way Hip Hop won't fly in Casper, Wyoming. Country is doing very well in markets surrounding NYC (Philadelphia, Allentown, Atlantic City, Scranton, Providence, Baltimore, Hartford, etc.) and it even looks like people are going out of their way to listen to WWYZ on Long Island.

NYC might have zero country stations, but it also only has one full-time rock station (WAXQ). You will find, however, numerous urban, urban AC, hip hop, Latin urban, and gospel formats, because the market can easily support them.

What a disappointment it must be to the listeners.

If AM/FM radio doesn't want 'em, XM and Sirius will gladly fill the void. And once you get someone hooked on either sat service, most of them won't going back to "30 minute music sweeps of the best hits of the 80's, 90's, and today." I mean, $13 a month for 8 country channels on XM is a freakin' bargain.

 

[PTCgal]

Chicago is market #3 and WUSN-US99 is HUGE here! So, I guess if LA and NY don't want to take on a country format and have it succeed, that's ok...Chicago will just be #1! Rockford, IL. has a huge country station as well. Its actually #1 in the market out there!

 

[Jay F]

Chicago is market #3 and WUSN-US99 is HUGE here! So, I guess if LA and NY don't want to take on a country format and have it succeed, that's ok...Chicago will just be #1! Rockford, IL. has a huge country station as well. Its actually #1 in the market out there!

WUSN is huge in cume since Chicago is so big. However in share WUSN is not huge by any means. In fact, about 90% of other markets have a larger country share than Chicago does.

 

[smashedcd]

I'd like to know why country stations are failing in the large markets. I don't get why it's still so popular in small markets like Chattanooga, TN where there are like 4 country stations:

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=Chattanooga&state=TN&sid=&x=0&y=0

South Folton, TN with 6 country stations:

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=South+Fulton&state=TN

and in Sioux Falls, SD where there are 7 country stations!:

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=Sioux+Falls&state=SD&x=0&y=0

And of course you can't forget the state of Texas where it's country heaven.

I myself don't really like country music but would like to know why it's not so popular in the biggest markets. New York City has had no country stations for a while now and now L.A. has none. What a disappointment it must be to the listeners. In Sioux Falls, SD, if they flipped all 7 country stations, boy what ratings and money they would lose. Hawaii only has one country station but that's in Hilo - not the big city of Honolulu. Am I right in gathering the fact that country music doesn't work right near the coasts or parts of water? What's the deal?

Now that the the two biggest market's country stations are gone (some listeners may pick up 100.7 KHAY in Ventura, CA) it seems that the statement that country music is wrong. It may not be that popular now that a big percentage of the U.S.'s population in big cities don't have that format, am I correct? Course, there's always HD country radio as well as streaming country online but it's the regular dial that they are talking about.

maybe because they arent playing the country they like?? shanai and faith vs..waylon and willie. most small markets arent stuck on a 50 song playlist of ALL new music. and as far not working on the coast. it does in mississippi, louisiana, alabama and florida..south carolina, georgia, north carolina...all are near the water..

 

[RFLA]

Re: Why does the Country music format continously fail to succeed in large marke

Am I right in gathering the fact that country music doesn't work right near the coasts or parts of water? What's the deal?

Now that the the two biggest market's country stations are gone (some listeners may pick up 100.7 KHAY in Ventura, CA) it seems that the statement that country music is wrong. It may not be that popular now that a big percentage of the U.S.'s population in big cities don't have that format, am I correct? Course, there's always HD country radio as well as streaming country online but it's the regular dial that they are talking about.

maybe because they arent playing the country they like?? shanai and faith vs..waylon and willie. most small markets arent stuck on a 50 song playlist of ALL new music. and as far not working on the coast. it does in mississippi, louisiana, alabama and florida..south carolina, georgia, north carolina...all are near the water..

IMO it depends more on what people grew up with and their tastes in music... Most of those urban areas you named are only into the more modern country as a alternative from say adult contemporary. I mean Rascall Flatts is crossing into CHR and A/C right now, that's what will bring people in the urban areas to try country music... and you will find that the tastes run more contemporary stylings in the country than say some of the more traditional sounds in those areas. That's why the Dixie Chicks are more welcomed in those urban areas on radio than in the heartland.

In the south and midwest, it's basically been a staple for years..... many generations growing up on it, so more people to listen to it.. and more stations willing to try their take on country music if you will. Where I'm at I receive roughly 8 country stations. One is classic country, 2 are 90s and today contemporary country, 4 do a variety but mainly staying 80s and newer (with one going into some 60s country on occasion), and one does a take of mixing country music with classic rock....

I think it all depends upon what the population is used to and the makeup of listening/buying habits of the area residents.... New york and LA are new comers to country compared to other areas and with listeners there having to "try" country music, it will be a long and dificult time to "educate" people there than say middle america...

RFLA

 

[semoochie]

My daughter is 29 with a 7 year old child. She grew up on CHR, switching later to Hot AC but for some reason, now listens to Country, exclusively! This is not a heavily rural area. The same situation could exist anywhere in America.

 

[smashedcd]

My daughter is 29 with a 7 year old child. She grew up on CHR, switching later to Hot AC but for some reason, now listens to Country, exclusively! This is not a heavily rural area. The same situation could exist anywhere in America.

yea but the country she is listning to IS hot ac...if its new country.

 

[zumahans]

Don't disregard the political factor.

Face it, mainstream country is as republican as it can be.

A lot of people in blue states just can't stomach the message in the music. "God Bless The USA" is a Bush theme song, and when KZLA played it (not often), it just turned my stomach, and I turned my dial.

I'm not saying country artists can;t say what they want. They just shouldn't be surprised when stations in blue states (a sweeping generalization, but true) start signing off.

As for this country fan, Mojo Nixon is my kinda redneck.

 

[briancraig]

Anyone who dismisses a whole genre of music because they think it is associated with one political party is very misinformed.

Have we returned to 1968 when if you liked country, some thought that meant you had to be a George Wallace supporter?

 

[zumahans]

I'm not misinformed, and I like country music in general. But I will not listent to mainstream country under any circumstances, period.

The number of songs that make my stomach turn, from Merle Haggard to Lee Greenwood, in a constant drone of "My Country, Right or Wrong."

Pop country has been the home of rightwing pap since the Vietnam War.

I listen to Sirius 63, XM 12 and WSM online. I really like the music.

But the political message is: unless you are a gun-totin', Bush-votin' amerriken, you ain't welcome here.

 

[UncleBozzle]

Having grown up in NJ in an area where Republicans are Moderate, Pro Choice, Pro Environment, Anti-Gun, but non the less the majority country music has always been pretty popular. You always heard stores playing the original WYNY, then it's incarnations after. This is an area where people work in the city, drive SUV's and don't carry guns. Is the music all about American Pride? No, but you have to remember that this is a pure American genre. What's wrong with American Pride anyhow? It doesn't mean all country artists supportPresident Bush and the Iraq War. It's pride in everything that is great about this country.

 

[zumahans]

The lyrics of a lot of Nashville music are a lot more than "pride", they are jingoistic, right wing anthems.
Nixon rallies played Okie From Muskogee, Bush plays Greenwood.

And Nashville music row, the mass rightwing country audience, and country radio management is slanted against anyone who deviates from that political model.

Want proof?

Three syllables.

 

[briancraig]

Re: Why does the Country music format continously fail to succeed in large marke

"But the political message is: unless you are a gun-totin', Bush-votin' amerriken, you ain't welcome here."

Could you cite a specific example?

 

[zumahans]

Dix- Ee- Chix.

Or conversely, Toby Keith.

Brooks and Dunn at the GOP convention.

 

[briancraig]

Re: Why does the Country music format continously fail to succeed in large marke

"Brooks and Dunn at the GOP convention."

Using your logic: If George Clooney appears at the Democratic Convention then Republicans should feel unwelcome watching Ocean's 11.