1. UnderstandingRadioFormats

2. Why Do People Use Radio? Why Do People Use Radio? People use Radio for all the typical reasons such as music, information, weather, sports, and news. But Radio also carries with it an emotional attachment and is often used for such things as…  Setting A Mood  Information  Entertainment  Companionship

3. Different formats bring with them different moods or environments. The type of setting desired will determine which format or radio station a listener chooses. Over the years, the number of different radio formats has continued to grow, giving listeners a wide variety of niches to choose from.

4. That Was Then… As music became the primary form of entertainment on the radio, there were a few specific formats that filled individual music preferences. There existed little, if any, overlap among the music. CHR/Top 40 Album Oriented Rock Gold/Oldies Adult Contemporary Urban Country Classical

5. This is Now… A/C Oldies AOR Classic Rock Classic Hits Top 40 Easy Listening Soft A/C Urban/ Black Dance/ Rhythmic CHR NAC Urban A/C Hot A/C Adult CHR Rock A/C Modern A/C Rhythmic A/C Rhythmic Oldies ’70’s, ’80’s Over time, the fine lines between music genres overlapped as hybrid formats began to take shape.

6. Timeline of Contemporary Music Formats Top 40…The hits from Rock, Pop & Soul FM Radio Rock Music from the 50’s & 60’s heard again on Gold/Oldies Niches begin... A/C, Urban, AOR Niches continue... Hot A/C, Soft A/C, Classic Rock Renewal of Top 40 in the form of CHR Continued fragmentation & hybrids Churban & Rock A/C The “Oldies” niche continues with the birth of Rhythmic Oldies. “Modern Oldies” in the form of 70s & Classic Hits Continued fragmentation with the development of ’80’s The NAC format develops as a Jazz hybrid Emergence of hybrid Rock/AC format-called “Jack”, “Dave” 196519701975198019851990199520002004

7. Every radio station brings with it their own unique characteristics, many of which are defined by their specific programming. Different formats deliver different types of listeners…

8. CHR CHR/Top 40 features current hit music with strong personality involvement. Audience emphasis is 18-24/25- 34, with heavy Teen influence. Specific audience skew may vary depending on the mix of other music genres with the basic CHR format. Different varieties of CHR may include, but are not limited to such artists as: Rhythmic CHR Rhythmic CHR is a mix of Contemporary Hit, Urban and Dance music. Audience composition concentrates in Teens. Significant ethnic composition (Hispanic or African American) may be evident. Artists may include: Usher Twista J-Kwon Ludacris Beyonce Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004 Artist information from “Radio and Records” playlists 2/04 Format Age Skew & Description Rock/Alternative CHR Nickelback Linkin Park Fuel Three Doors Down Adult CHR No Doubt Sheryl Crow Janet Jackson Three Doors Down Matchbox Twenty CHR Jessica Simpson Britney Spears Outkast Nickelback Evanescence Male/Female Skew: 38%/62% Median Age: 24 Male/Female Skew: 49%/51% Median Age: 22

9. AOR Album Oriented Rock is current Rock blended with some standard rock classics. Strong personality involvement. AOR may skew a bit older than a pure Current or Active Rock format. Artists may include: Nickelback Audioslave Jet Incubus Linkin Park Classic Rock and Classic Hits Both the Classic Rock and the Classic Hits formats are based in 60’s, 70’s and 80’s rock music. The primary difference between the two formats is that the Classic Hits format is slightly softer in tempo, playing only the hits from Classic Rock artists. The Classic Rock format will play deeper, harder cuts from Classic albums. Classic Rock Led Zeppelin The Who Rolling Stones Doors Classic Hits The Eagles CCR Journey Billy Joel Male/Female Skew: 75%/25% Median Age: 31 Male/Female Skew: 71%/29% Median Age: 39 Male/Female Skew: 61%/39% Median Age: 42 Format Age Skew & Description Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004 Artist information from “Radio and Records” playlists 2/04

10. Alternative/Modern Rock Modern Rock is also known as Progressive or New Wave. Audience concentration is 18-24/25-34. Depending on the specific mix of music and market conditions, the Modern Rock audience may skew younger than shown. Artists may include: Incubus Audioslave Blink 182 Lustprophets Hoobastank Adult Alternative Adult Alternative may also be known as “Triple A” or Adult Album Rock. Music is alternative based but with a softer, more Adult edge. Audience is concentrated 25-44. Artists may include: Norah Jones Melissa Etheridge Guster Counting Crows Barenaked Ladies Male/Female Skew: 65%/35% Median Age: 26 Male/Female Skew: 53%/47% Median Age: 39 Format Age Skew & Description Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004 Artist information from “Radio and Records” playlists 2/04

11. Adult Contemporary Mainstream A/C mixes current hits and recurrents without the dance or Urban hits. Usually no heavy personality involvement. Primary concentration is 25-54. Artists may include: Josh Groban Train Sheryl Crow Uncle Kracker Dido Hot A/C Hot A/C play more currents and less recurrents than Mainstream A/C. The format also skews slightly younger with a core audience of 25-34. May have heavier personality involvement or a high profile morning show. Hot A/C is sometimes referred to as Adult CHR. Artists may include: Three Doors Down Sheryl Crow No Doubt Nickelback Matchbox Twenty Male/Female Skew: 33%/67% Median Age: 43 Male/Female Skew: 35%/65% Median Age: 35 80’s Primarily an A/C or Pop based format it has it's roots in the decade of music from 1980-1989. May also include music from the late 70's or early 90's that is formatically compatible with the sound of the individual station. Artists may include: Soft Cell, Duran Duran, The Police, U2, Bon Jovi, John Mellencamp Male/Female Skew: 49%/51% Median Age: 35 Format Age Skew & Description Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004 Artist information from “Radio and Records” playlists 2/04

12. Rhythmic A/C Rhythmic A/C mixes mainstream A/C with more dance oriented or rhythmic style A/C music. May have some personality involvement but has a more Adult presentation than CHR or Churban. Artists may include: Janet Jackson Alicia Keys Christina Aguilera Britney Spears Jennifer Lopez Male/Female Skew: 48%/52% Median Age: 34 Modern A/C Modern A/C mixes mainstream A/C with some crossover alternative or modern rock hits. Will not include any hard-edged alternative music. Artists may include: Train Sarah McLachlan Sheryl Crow Outkast No Doubt Matchbox Twenty Male/Female Skew: 38%/62% Median Age: 33 Format Age Skew & Description Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004 Artist information from “Radio and Records” playlists 2/04

13. Soft A/C Soft A/C programs mostly recurrent songs mixed with some soft currents. Soft A/C skews older than Mainstream A/C with a core audience of 35-54. Artists may include: Faith Hill Celine Dion Sarah McLachlan Shania Twain Josh Groban New Adult Contemporary NAC represents a combination of Jazz, and New Age Jazz formats. Music mix includes instrumentals & vocals. May also include some Soft A/C cuts. Little or no personality involvement. Audience concentration is 35-54. Artists may include: Dave Koz Chris Botti Kim Waters Richard Elliot David Benoit Male/Female Skew: 32%/68% Median Age: 46 Male/Female Skew: 47%/53% Median Age: 51 Christian AC Adult contemporary music with an emphasis on religious or "positive" themes. Often features family- oriented programming. Audience skew is similar to the Mainstream Adult Contemporary format. Artists may include: Matthew West Third Day Avalon Jeremy Camp Male/Female Skew: 37%/63% Median Age: 38 Format Age Skew & Description Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004 Artist information from “Radio and Records” playlists 2/04

14. Urban A/C Urban A/C plays hit Black music from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Current songs included in the mix are smooth and relaxing without rap or dance. Audience concentration is 35-44. Artists may include: Alicia Keys Luther Vandross Avant Beyonce Babyface Erykah Badu Urban Contemporary Urban flavored dance music interspersed with R&B, Rap and Contemporary Hits. Audience concentration is 18-34. Artists may include: Usher Twista Beyonce Chingy Kanye West Jay-Z Male/Female Skew: 41%/59% Median Age: 42 Male/Female Skew: 47%/53% Median Age: 25 Format Age Skew & Description Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004 Artist information from “Radio and Records” playlists 2/04

15. Rhythmic Oldies An offshoot of the pure Gold/Oldies format which concentrates on the Rhythmic or Dance genre of Oldies music. Playlists may span the 60’s through the early 80’s. Depending on market conditions and playlist, the format may have a significant African American or Hispanic composition. Artists may include: Marvin Gaye Temptations Donna Summer O’Jays Gold/Oldies A traditional Oldies format will typically pull hits from the 50’s and 60’s. FM Oldies will skew slightly younger than AM stations due to a slightly different playlist. Audience concentration is 35-64. Artists may include: The Beatles Bill Haley Elvis Temptations Male/Female Skew: 49%/51% Median Age: 51 Male/Female Skew: 38%/62% Median Age: 41 Format Age Skew & Description Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004

16. AM Country Most AM Country stations program “Traditional” or “Full Service” formats, featuring older artists. Many AMs are satellite-fed. AM Country skews older than FM Country, with an audience concentration of 55+. Artists may include: Kenny Rogers Willie Nelson Tammy Wynette Patsy Cline FM Country FM Country stations program a more mainstream brand of Country music with younger, current artists. Some FM stations may use the “Hot Country” or “Young Country” slogan. Audience concentration is 35-54. Artists may include: Toby Keith Alan Jackson Tim McGraw Brad Paisley Terri Clark Martina McBride Male/Female Skew: 55%/45% Median Age: 65 Male/Female Skew: 45%/55% Median Age: 43 Format Age Skew & Description Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004 Artist information from “Radio and Records” playlists 2/04

17. All News AM format, primarily in large markets. May have heavy sports coverage. Strong AM Drive appeal, but listening typically drops after 9am. Audience concentration is 65+. Male/Female Skew: 57%/43% Median Age: 56 Full Service Full Service is usually found on the AM band. Programming includes news and information as well as some talk features. Very few Full Service stations still play music. The format has evolved to be more information based. Male/Female Skew: 51%/49% Median Age: 58 Format Age Skew & Description Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004

18. All Talk (AM) Audience interactive, telephone talk. Can include syndicated, local based, or a combination of both types of talk shows. The popularity of such syndicated shows Dr. Laura and Rush Limbaugh has skewed the format a bit younger over the past 10 years. Male/Female Skew: 56%/44% Median Age: 55 Sports Heavy telephone talk programming along with significant play-by-play coverage of major sporting events. Usually found on the AM dial. Skews younger than traditional News/Talk. Male/Female Skew: 86%/14% Median Age: 43 Personality/Entertainment Talk (FM) An all Talk format primarily found on the FM band, Personality Talk appeals to a much younger audience, and a much more male skewed audience than a traditional Talk station. Talk subjects tend to be more entertainment oriented. Shows can be local or nationally syndicated such as Howard Stern or John Boy & Billy. Male/Female Skew: 68%/32% Median Age: 39 Format Age Skew & Description Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004

19. Big Band Music from the 1930’s through 1960’s. Big Band sounds include those from Ellington, Basey, Dorsey and vocals from Sinatra and Fitzgerald. Usually found on the AM dial. Male/Female Skew: 42%/58% Median Age: 68 MOR MOR or “Middle of the Road” is usually an AM format. Also provides news, sports and information. Music is a mix of Big Band and old popular favorites. Male/Female Skew: 41%/59% Median Age: 67 Easy Listening Mostly soft instrumental music with very few vocals, if any. Low cumes, but high TSL. Male/Female Skew: 41%/59% Median Age: 66 Format Age Skew & Description Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004

20. Hispanic The Hispanic format consists of a variety of different types of music: Ranchera, Nortena, Contemporary Hits, Banda, Tropical and Tejano. There are also Spanish language News/Talk, Sports and All News formats. Male/Female Skew: 51%/49% Median Age: 33 Male/Female Skew: 52%/48% Median Age: 48 Format Age Skew & Description Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004

21. Classical Fine arts or classical music featuring full orchestras or smaller ensembles. Special programming may include opera, show tunes or news on cultural events. Male/Female Skew: 44%/56% Median Age: 60 Format Age Skew & Description Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004

22. Format Age Skew & Description Religion Traditional religious music and talk program blocks. Primarily found on the AM dial. Male/Female Skew: 34%/66% Median Age: 55 Gospel Originating from African American spirituals as a symbol of salvation, bonding and unity, the Gospel format includes a combination of Jazz, R&B and Rock & Roll. The Gospel format creates a mood; it is spiritual, emotional, inspirational and motivational. Male/Female Skew: 31%/69% Median Age: 48 Source:KMG National Format Averages Spring 2004