Has anyone noticed that local radio stations are always playing the same block of music every night? READ ON?

Question

I live in the NYC area and noticed that several radio stations play the same block of music every night or every other night; and the same songs over and over. And on one particular radio station, they play the same song every hour almost to the hour.
My questions is 1) has anyone else noticed this? 2) Does this happen to other radio stations in other parts of the USA?
3) Why do they do this? Couldn't they play different songs from the same group? For example The Doors has many songs and yet this radio station plays two or three of the same songs every night or every other night.
Your input would be greatly appreciated

Answer 1

This is done on a lot of mainstream radio stations throughout the United States, and Canada...all over the world for that matter.

As you are correct on the fact that many bands have many songs that can be played, the songs that are chosen are usually singles that are currently out (for more recent bands) or songs that are "allowed" to be played on the radio (in simpler terms) for older bands.

The reason you hear the same songs being played over and over is usually because most radio stations are now "Top 40" therefore playing the more "popular" songs. Royalties have to be paid for every single song that is played - each time it is played. It is sometimes easier and cheaper for a radio station to pay a set fee for royalties on one particular song andplay it over and over again.

Also, you sometimes start to hear a old song being played over and over again from a singer/artist that you haven't heard in awhile. Chances are that singer/artist has a new single/album coming out so they play what you know.

Rotation is the reason you're hearing the same songs over and over. It sucks, I know...I work in Radio.

Answer 2

Up until the late 80's most songs played on radio stations were done so as a result of listeners phoning in or writing in with requests. Since the late 80's many radio stations have been operating from pre-determined playlists which are often dictated to them by the record companies. Songs that are due to be released, re-released or have recently been released are played over and over again. For example, my local station has to play Rihanna something like 16 times a day.

Basically the record companies shot themselves in the foot when they decided to dictate to the listening public what they should be listening to, the result is that music hasn't been able to evolve and has become stagnated (music trends tend to change on an approximately 5 year cycle) but for about 18 years now there has been no evolution, only variation within the same dance music genre.

Answer 3

Hymns with a solid content. i'm long term with the aid of fact that complete with the favored 3 sentence suggestive, so referred to as, Christian songs. i like those lyrics that exalt and raise up God`s call. MIMI

Answer 4

They think this is how they can max profits but Satellite radio will probably put them out of business soon...they are cutting costs to return to their shareholders...INSTEAD: wolfgangsvault.com OR mp3idaho.idahostatesman.com