Why do radio stations change their format after gaining popularity? See details?

Question

A radio station that gained popularity was because of the good music it played. My father would roll over in his grave if he knew the kind that is played now. But he can't roll over in his grave, because he was cremated.

Answer 1

Radio stations are owned usually by a business group. This group focuses on profit, and will have a program director make changes as they see fit.

Sometimes a format works for a long time, then ratings tend to drop off. Also, sometimes the owners group wants to target a different demographic in hopes of making more money. They will then switch anything from formats to program directors to on-air personalities to accomplish this goal.

Of course, nowhere in this equation is what stations historically play. Stations change with the times. Originally, all broadcasts were on AM radio. Then, there was FM. Now, satellite stations will be part of the equation.

In summary, stations can change whenever they want. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. But the one constant is change.

Answer 2

I think music fads happen. A station some how thinks (for example) that more people listen to country, then listen to rock. Even though the station did very well with rock. And they think country will bring in more listners, and more money. So, they change to country. There was a station that I liked that played music from the fourties and fifties. But they changed to a sixties station. Less then a year later they were sportstalk. It all comes down to money.

Answer 3

Somtimes another company will buy the station and change formats.