Can Radio Stations play any track on an artist's album ?

Question

Can Radio Stations play any track on an artist's album (even if it is hasn't been officially released) ? What's the process?

Answer 1

Most stations follow strict playlists, and will only play songs that have been released as singles or that have become popular over time.

There are some stations that follow a "pull-your-own" format - that is, the DJ has the freedom to play whatever they want. This means that any track on an album - so long as it meets FCC standards - is fair game. I did this on a radio program that I just pulled the plug on - and I purposely picked songs that didn't get airplay because, IMHO, they're just as worthy of people's attention. (PM me if you want to see a few sample set lists.)

Songs that haven't been officially released is a very grey area - I would guess it would depend on how one got a hold of it. It is possible for someone to be friends with the artist, management or label, and to get their hands on a song early. If you download it off the Internet, I'd say it's probably not okay.

Answer 2

Radio stations have considerable latitude over what can be used on air. With respect to recorded music, the primary limitation is they cannot play tracks that the record labels have paid money to get aired, "payola" or "pay for play". Unless streaming on the Internet, FCC licensed radio stations do not follow RIAA play list restrictions.

Release dates refer to when it will be sold in stores. Radio stations are free to play music that is NOT sold in stores, thank you. The pre-release CDs are given to the stations either by the artist or the record label, there is no bootleg distribution involved, and they hope very much to get air play. For soon to be released albums, the DJ will usually announce the in-store date as a courtesy.

Some stations have a policy to not play free CDs, and use the pre-release CDs for audition purpose only, to help make a shopping list for the next visit to the music store.

Answer 3

no--the artist has to release it as a single first..

sometimes songs get leaked though, so.. i'm not really sure what they do then.

Shadowhawk--