Posted by Allan Sniffen on July 24, 2007 at 22:05:48:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Cousin Brucie - Why keep asking for him? posted by Larry on July 24, 2007 at 21:40:34:
>>>Its a business. I know.<<<
Great!
>>>In looking at the various types of stations he programmed across the country - 50's and early 60's were not involved, or reduced to nothing.<<<<
Your implication with wording like this is that you think he's some kind of hit man sent in to assassinate fifties music. On the one hand you say you understand Brian Thomas is doing his job, then you make this statement.
>>>For the moment, its interesting how fervent the feeling is that this first decade of Rock & Roll is such intense POISON for daily playlists. Wow! <<<
That's fair. I *agree* it's probably overdone. But don't blame the radio guys. Blame the advertisers. The push for younger demos by advertisers is what is driving this.
>>>As cut & dried as this subject seems to be, are there any statements IN GENERAL from ad agencies on the accuracy of this era affecting demos?<<<
They make these kinds of statements in the way they spend money. Remember... New York advertising is dominated by agency buys. They buy 25-54 (which is why WLTW has been at the top of the billing list for years).
This isn't restricted to radio. Look at TV. The networks cancel shows that skew too old in demos (think "Murder She Wrote" or "Judging Amy"). It's not fair and I'm not endorsing their view. I'm 49... which makes me older than you (I think).
Here's the thing. Those in upper demos have to prove to advertisers that they'll respond to their ads on par with younger demos. Maybe that will happen as the Baby Boomers move into their fifties and sixties. It's a generation that has redefined generational assumption every step of the way. As my friend Ted David points out, we're not like our parents.
>>>WCBS-FM from 2002-2005 completely eliminated 50's from the daily playlists. It was less successful than pre-2002.<<<
There are all kinds of ways of interpreting that. Was it the lack of fifties music on the station or was it that the station was so strongly typecast as an "older" music station that it couldn't break free from its own reputation? I've been in the camp that felt it was the latter. I think that's why today's CBS-FM is working so hard to redefine itself.
>>>How is an entire week with ZERO 50's blend with a weekend show with all 50's and early 60's (as possibly planned like B103 does)? Why such a split? What if a teeny bopper tunes in on the weekend and hears a 50's song?<<<
CBS-FM has to be very careful. A fifties song on the station is probably equal to three fifties songs on any other station because of its history. When you're trying to tell the world you're "different", anything that re-enforces the "old" sound can set you back.
My *opinion* is that CBS-FM will try to mix in some additional fifties songs after the initial break in period. Music radio programming usually demands that a new format define itself very strongly in its first few weeks. Musically, things begin to spread out after that period. I suspect they'll also come up with some specialty programming (Sunday nights?) that will cater to those who want to hear the "roots of Rock and Roll". Be patient.
You seem to be a smart guy. You concede the demos argument and that's good. I don't think fifties fans are being ignored. Let them build the station and solidify its base. Then see what happens.
OK?