Why do radio stations play the same songs over and over again?

Question

Here my local radio station overplays:
Maroon 5
Nickelback
Avril Lavigne
Rihanna
OneRepublic
Sean Kingston
Jordin Sparks

Answer 1

A man named Todd Storz created something called top 40 radio. Its a format in which you play the hits, what people like. It is believed that people like to hear their favorite songs over and over again. Since the average music radio listener only listens to the radio a few periods of time throughout their day then everytime they turn on the radio most likely their favorite song will come on. I know the concept is a bit strange but if you read about Todd Storz you will see why and how he came to this conclusion. People liked this and thats why it is still with us in radio today. But I do agree with you, I hate that the same horrible songs play over and over all day. Thats why I stopped listening to music radio and only listen to talk radio :)

Answer 2

On classic rock stations, many songs are in the public domain, and, as such, cost little, if anything (i.e., the radio station doesn't have to pay any royalties). Unfortunately, they tend to be the songs that were so popular that they were overplayed when they first came out (these tend to be called "commercial hits", because the advertisers know that the audience listens to those songs; Fleetwood Mac's 1977 "Rumours" album is an excellent example). And, contrary to popular belief, DJ's have little freedom in what they choose to play. This is due in part to the royalties paid by the radio station, and the presumed listener's tastes (yeah, I know . . . nobody asked me, either!). ;)

There is another thing to consider: timing. We tend to listen to the radio during the same general hours, so - - surprise, surprise - - we tend to hear the same things (don't ask me why they don't "spread it around"!).

The best music is usually played when the regular DJ's are off. I wish I knew whether that meant that the substitute DJ's have better taste, or whether there is some tacit agreement that subs aren't allowed to play the regulars' songs, for fear that the former would be treading on the latter's "territory", so to speak. Regardless, I wish someone would put a DJ schedule on my stations' websites, so I could know when to tune in to the subs! ;)

Of course, there is a simple solution to the overplay problem, and it has been around since the 1950's! Just play your own records, tapes, CD's, DVD's, MP3's, etc, etc, etc!

Answer 3

Because that is what is determined to be popular at the moment in your area by the local management... (and to a small extent, sometimes what the PD or MD likes gives influence sometimes also)

Singles are normally picked from a list that the record companies try to release singles from every week or so. After that, it's pretty much what people request, how much it's played in other areas, how much it's purchased in places like I Tunes (And how Colbie Caillat through the magic of myspace and I-Tunes got on the charts) which determines how much a song is aired.

The Onerepublic song is technically a Timbaland song (as it's technically listed as Timbaland featuring Onerepublic even though all Timbaland did was some heys and a beat track in the song) and with his popularity right now at a pretty high clip.. that one republic song is gaining in a number of places

Some allege record companies paying radio to play it... It may be happening right now in a few markets but Payola rules are coming down harder and harder on these.... These are airings of recordings for money or any other thing of value without disclosing these payments is against the law in the US
There have been companies up until recently receiving it but the whip is being cracked on it as soon as it comes to light.

Answer 4

I was in radio for 30 years. If you listen to CHR stations thats todays TOP 40 radion station have a rotation play list. This list is limited to time factors, advertising and programing that might differ slightly from cross town rivals. Record companies do not in general pay stations to play their artist. This is illegal. Yes it does go on of coarse. If the station gets the RATINGS that keeps them going. So if people don't listen they can't get the raitings and the songs won't matter because nobody is listining. When I started in 1968 we had a gazillion groups and songs to choose from. Today the list is limited in TOP 40 radio, thats why overplay.

Answer 5

Because certain songs are very popular, so they play them a lot, meaning that more people will listen to their station and they can charge people more to put their adds on that radio station, so, in essence, when they play a hit song over and over again, they get more money.

Answer 6

The reason radio stations play the same stuff over and over is because record company's pay them to do so. The popularity of the music has very little to do with it honestly. Big record company's pay big corporations like clear channel inc, who own the vast majority of radio stations around the country to play the tunes they are trying to promote.

Answer 7

I listen to the radio on my MP3 at work so I'm listening for hours. I'm sick of repeats. I change the station when I get sick of a song. I like it when they have The History Of Rock or Nights With Alice Cooper, because then they play songs you don't get to hear as often, (or never in some cases). Makes it more interesting.

Answer 8

Because that is what is popular. Dont worry, these songs will dissapear in a few months. Honestly, if you dont like them, either create your own radio station on yahoo or burn your cds into the computer and listen to the music you like.

P.S. I happen to like both Maroon 5 and Avril Lavigne.

Answer 9

I Really don't know the answer call up your radio station and asked them.

Answer 10

This is a global problem indeed, and this is why I'm more interested in classical music (the repertoire there is much much wider!) and radio stations such as Classic FM!!!