WHY IS CLEAR CHANNEL RESISTANT TO POP/ROCK?

[atlantaboy]

I know this is probably going to be a controversial topic, but it frustrates me that medium-market stations owned by Entercom, or by independent companies, are getting great callout for We The Kings/Say You Like Me, while 95% of stations owned by Clear Channel (or CBS, or Cumulus) in comparable sized markets aren't touching it

The result - Say You Like Me has been inching up the CHR Top 50 for months (15 weeks), only to achieve its current peak of #38

To point out a clear example - it's a huge hit at WFBC/Greenville SC (owned by Entercom), but WNOK/Columbia SC (owned by Clear Channel) and WSSX/Charleston SC (owned by Cumulus) won't touch it - and all three cities are pretty much the same size (Greenville is actually the biggest one in population)

And just to clarify, Greenville SC is a diverse market with a high percentage of African-Americans

I know that some people may point out that its ITunes sales are extremely low - but with so few markets playing the song, how are people supposed to even know it exists?

 

[carolinaradio]

I am actually in B's market. WFBC has always been friendly to acts like We The Kings (they have various shows throughout the year that have lesser-known acts play at them, and they usually play their songs should they have a track that surfaces on the charts). They also really jumped on the Andy Grammer track (they still play it fairly often), that a lot of other CHR's ignored. WFBC is really good at promoting new/lesser-known acts, both on air and/or at hosted concerts.

I know that it's large in comparison to a lot of other markets, but actually, Greenville is by-far the 'whitest' market in the state by percentage.

IMO, it mostly has to do with the fact that Entercom seems to have much less corporate control than companies like Cumulus, Clear Channel, CBS, and Cox.

 

[CHRles]

I agree with Atlantaboy on this issue.
I think the Entercom CHRs are among the countries' purest CHRs in terms of music variety, taking chances on new records, on-air presentation (live & local in pretty much all dayparts with GOOD talent), and imaging.
Citadel CHRs also used to be along these lines...

I don't know if it's resistance necessarily to Pop/Rock on the part of all CBS or CC channels. After all, you've got CBS-owned Kiss 95.1 Charlotte, or CC-owned 107.5 The River Nashville (as well as stations like 97.3 Now Milwaukee). I don't see the resistance there.
I do see the resistance for customization in many of the medium sized CHRs owned by major corporations. While I'm grateful these markets are served by CHRs that by and large play all the really big hits (the Top 10) it is a shame many of them don't have the kind of unique identities medium sized CHRs used to have back in the day.

For FM radio to stay competitive in this day and age, where we can all tune into thousands of FM and virtual stations online, or listen via Youtube and ipods, it's important for local radio to have an identity.

There are some great online CHRs (and other formats) out there nowadays from online radio portals. Not just Pandora, but also from the likes of
http://www.radioio.com/
http://www.181.fm/
http://977music.com/
http://rdl101.com
http://www.sky.fm/
http://www.blazin100.com/
http://addictedtoradio.com/
http://www.1.fm/
http://www.goomradio.fr/
http://www.iloveradio.de/
http://www.gotradio.com
http://www.soundicradio.com/
http://www.kissfmrio.com.br/
http://www.top100station.de
http://www.hotmixradio.fr/
http://www.rautemusik.fm/radio/
http://www.polskastacja.pl/
http://101.ru/?an=port_allchannels
http://www.hit104.com/
http://lenz-radio.de/
http://www.lolliradio.net
http://www.ilr.fm
http://www.themixradio.co.uk/

 

[carolinaradio]

I haven't checked lately, but isn't Entercom's WXSS in Milwaukee rhythmic leaning? That might explain why CC's WRNW has more variety.

CC's WNWW/97.9 Radio Now in Jacksonville is playing We The Kings and other pop/rock acts.

 

[only1moore]

I haven't checked lately, but isn't Entercom's WXSS in Milwaukee rhythmic leaning? That might explain why CC's WRNW has more variety.

Yes, WXSS is Rhythmic leaning.

 

[atlantaboy]

I haven't checked lately, but isn't Entercom's WXSS in Milwaukee rhythmic leaning? That might explain why CC's WRNW has more variety.

CC's WNWW/97.9 Radio Now in Jacksonville is playing We The Kings and other pop/rock acts.

Those are basically the two exceptions (Clear Channel's Adult-Leaning CHRs in Milwuakee and Jacksonville) - and a handful of others, like G105/Raleigh and WNCI/Columbus

But if you look at 95% of Clear Channel CHRs, they are extremely resistant to pop/rock - just go to All Access, click on a song by We The Kings, The Cab, Daughtry, etc., and look at how many of the "leaders" for these songs are owned by CC, Cumulus, CBS, etc.

 

[lovejamminoldies]

CHRles,

Thanks for the shoutout. I'm the PD/MD of RDL101.com - Rhythmic-leaning CHR at its finest, I try to make it fun. WNCI is in my hometown, it's pretty adult, but they've gotten hotter lately.

 

[atlantaboy]

CHRles,

Thanks for the shoutout. I'm the PD/MD of RDL101.com - Rhythmic-leaning CHR at its finest, I try to make it fun. WNCI is in my hometown, it's pretty adult, but they've gotten hotter lately.

Lol at "hotter" meaning "more rhythmic"...but whatever...

 

[RadRadio23]

I think Clear Channel has really ruined CHR and the rest of radio. Hearing other stations around the country owned by them (except for the few small ones) all the programming seems stale. And it isn't very impressive imaging for a station either - JMO.

 

[atlantaboy]

^Yeah, I feel like they keep jumping on new tracks by established dance/pop artists, and barely ever take a chance of anything/anyone new - meanwhile, anything by David Guetta, Pitbull, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, etc. instantly rockets to the top of the charts, no matter how boring or generic it is

 

[justpassingthough]

Isn't CHR programmed to be boring and generic? It takes evolution for serious change in musical tastes. Not one of the artists named in this thread from a band like We the Kings to a hip hop artist like Pitbull is revolutionary. They're more of the same stale pop/rock and pop/hip hop that have been around for 20 to 30 years.

They're trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator and attract the largest audience. Every once in a while you will see an act like Adele break through, someone with limited detractors and cross audience appeal, but overall, CHR is programmed to be safe.

 

[atlantaboy]

Isn't CHR programmed to be boring and generic? It takes evolution for serious change in musical tastes. Not one of the artists named in this thread from a band like We the Kings to a hip hop artist like Pitbull is revolutionary. They're more of the same stale pop/rock and pop/hip hop that have been around for 20 to 30 years.

They're trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator and attract the largest audience. Every once in a while you will see an act like Adele break through, someone with limited detractors and cross audience appeal, but overall, CHR is programmed to be safe.

I feel like it didn't used to be this extreme though, at least not through the 90s and 2000s - IMO there were probably twice as many artists on the pop charts as there are today, from a much wider variety of genres

I also feel like in the 90s/2000s, there was a much wider diversity of playlists among pop stations nationwide (i. e. most stations had different powers - many had songs in power rotation that were only in medium rotation in other markets) - for the last couple years, I feel like 90% of stations nationwide have had the same songs in power at the same time

 

[carolinaradio]

I think Clear Channel has really ruined CHR and the rest of radio. Hearing other stations around the country owned by them (except for the few small ones) all the programming seems stale. And it isn't very impressive imaging for a station either - JMO.

I wouldn't just blame Clear Channel. Cumulus CHR's are just as bad with new stuff, IMO.

 

[Dkampy]

Isn't CHR programmed to be boring and generic? It takes evolution for serious change in musical tastes. Not one of the artists named in this thread from a band like We the Kings to a hip hop artist like Pitbull is revolutionary. They're more of the same stale pop/rock and pop/hip hop that have been around for 20 to 30 years.

They're trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator and attract the largest audience. Every once in a while you will see an act like Adele break through, someone with limited detractors and cross audience appeal, but overall, CHR is programmed to be safe.

I feel like it didn't used to be this extreme though, at least not through the 90s and 2000s - IMO there were probably twice as many artists on the pop charts as there are today, from a much wider variety of genres

I also feel like in the 90s/2000s, there was a much wider diversity of playlists among pop stations nationwide (i. e. most stations had different powers - many had songs in power rotation that were only in medium rotation in other markets) - for the last couple years, I feel like 90% of stations nationwide have had the same songs in power at the same time

I agree with Atlanta with this...there are absolutly no chances taken anymore....In the past if acts such as the Black Keys, Mumford and Sons, Arcade Fire, Florence and the Machine albums did as well as they do...thier would of been enough radio stations that would take a chance...some of these if not all...not only would cross into the top 40 but perhaps top 20.

Nirvana would have neve been able to cross over today.

 

[Dkampy]

I haven't checked lately, but isn't Entercom's WXSS in Milwaukee rhythmic leaning? That might explain why CC's WRNW has more variety.

IMO as a Wisconsin resident there are a few reasons why WRNW has more variety then WXSS. Yes one is that WXSS is Rhythmic leaning. Although they have added a touch more balance since WRNW's birth.

A 2nd reason would be the demise of heritage HOT AC WKTI which had a CHR Lean...I believe it left a pretty obvious hole which WRNW is now filling.

A 3rd reason is they have to protect sister urban station(V-100). WRNW keeps their urban product to a minimum. One example is that even though they try to play all the big hits...they barely touched Lil Wayne’s "How To Love"...I believe the most spins it got in a single week was 14.

One tidbit of trivia is WXSS started leaning rhythmic to go after V-100 once they started to beat WXSS consistently...before that WXSS was perhaps the most balanced CHR I had ever heard...they went from one extreme to the other..Playing everything from ODB to Limp Biscuit to Sarah McLachlan as well as the entire top 40 playlist. They Had POD's "Alive", Incubus "Wish You Were Here", Red Hot Chilli Peppers "Zephyr Song" all in powers at one time or the other...ahh those were the days.

 

[anthonydt06]

Isn't CHR programmed to be boring and generic? It takes evolution for serious change in musical tastes. Not one of the artists named in this thread from a band like We the Kings to a hip hop artist like Pitbull is revolutionary. They're more of the same stale pop/rock and pop/hip hop that have been around for 20 to 30 years.

They're trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator and attract the largest audience. Every once in a while you will see an act like Adele break through, someone with limited detractors and cross audience appeal, but overall, CHR is programmed to be safe.

I feel like it didn't used to be this extreme though, at least not through the 90s and 2000s - IMO there were probably twice as many artists on the pop charts as there are today, from a much wider variety of genres

I also feel like in the 90s/2000s, there was a much wider diversity of playlists among pop stations nationwide (i. e. most stations had different powers - many had songs in power rotation that were only in medium rotation in other markets) - for the last couple years, I feel like 90% of stations nationwide have had the same songs in power at the same time

This is one of the few times I think we'll ever see eye to eye on radio/music ;D

But I agree, radio has gotten way too safe and dependent on mediocre tracks from core artists. I had a thread a while back complaining about the very high rotations most CHRs have.

 

[Future DJ]

To justpassingthrough's and atlantaboy's points:

In terms of no significant change in the musical landscape, there's no question it's been tranquil for decades. For proof, look no further than this year's Super Bowl halftime performer. Imagine the McGuire Sisters with the same gig as Madonna was coming on the scene!

The CHR commonality across the country may be due to more widely available spins data since the '90's and '00's. Any minor variations may come based on the filters employed.

 

[The Outsider]

How much do you think PPM and the subsequent "follow the leader" mentality has to do with this state of affairs? Stations may be afraid to do something different because it may chase listeners away at first, and they may feel they don't have the time to educate the masses. It is probably more like they don't want to invest the time needed to do that since they mostly have to answer to corporations that want results immediately.

 

[phils07]

The only Rock (or pop-rock) band I've heard on Clear Channel's Q102 in Philly is Evanescence.

 

[danikayser84]

Until recently WKKF played more pop-rock/adult material like Lady Antebellum, Paramore and The Script... after the new year they seem to have gone Premium Choice Rhythmic (too much overlap with WRVE I think?)