Ask a radio programming director anything

29 Questions

Last Answer on July 22, 2019

What songs were initially hated by the listening public that eventually became big hits?

Asked by Bear over 4 years ago

Hi Bear...that's a tough one. Songs become big hits because they are well liked. There are probably many songs that can "grow on you" but I don't have any specific answer to this question. At most if not all places I've been, a new song that is liked gets requested by a lot of people & thus the song becomes a hit. If a song is released that is hated by the listening public as you say, it probably would not become a hit. There are songs that are released & don't fare well & then get released once again and succeed. It usually is not because the public hates them, they just didn't get enough exposure for various reasons.

299 Votes

What specific events or programming decisions led to the most substantial rises or drops in listener numbers? Would hiring a hot DJ or running a specific promotion be enough to see an immediate spike in numbers?

Asked by Conan123 over 4 years ago

Hi Conan123 - Usually patience is required after any change as it's not a quick thing. You can introduce a "hot DJ" but it still could take awhile before the audience shifts away from other places. Promotions work the same way...they need advertising to get the word out as well as word of mouth to attract listeners from other stations. Some of the most successful promotions offer a cash prize. We all can find a use for money!

295 Votes

What kind of behind-the-scenes commercial arrangements are there in radio? Can a record label pay a station to give its star a certain # of plays per day?

Asked by Sines over 4 years ago

Hi Sines - No a record company cannot pay a radio stationin consideration for playing a certain song or songs. That is payola & is illegal & has never happened at any stationI have worked for.

Thanks for the question Sines!

295 Votes

Have you heard of the software that some companies claim can predict whether a song will be popular based on running it through an algorithm and how much validity does that stuff have?

Asked by tarun singh over 4 years ago

Hello tarun - I have heard of things like that & I hope real human ears couldstill beat a computer program for determining if a song will be popular. Still, there are times the computer would be right...personally I don't put a lot of faith in that method & I would never depend on it as gospel. Have a good one !

293 Votes

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Do you think there will always be a place for terrestrial radio, or does it feel like it's something whose obituary is being written, like video rental stores or print newspapers?

Asked by Steve over 4 years ago

Steve - I really think terrestrial radio will be around for a long long time to come! Thanks for the question!

292 Votes

Hi. Today, 7/25/17, I heard a song between 12:45PM to 1:15PM approximatey. It starts off with only sax for a while and then the vocals. I have to find the name of the artist and the title (or I'll go nuts!) Please help.
Thank you very much.

Asked by lolalady about 2 years ago

Hi lolalady,

I would need a little more info to narrow this one down!

11 Votes

Can you have a song with the word codeine in it! Or can you say the word codeine in your song?

Asked by BJM about 1 month ago

Hi BJM,

Yes you can...hope that helps!

7 Votes

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Radio program/music director

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

What songs were initially hated by the listening public that eventually became big hits?

What specific events or programming decisions led to the most substantial rises or drops in listener numbers? Would hiring a hot DJ or running a specific promotion be enough to see an immediate spike in numbers?

What kind of behind-the-scenes commercial arrangements are there in radio? Can a record label pay a station to give its star a certain # of plays per day?

Have you heard of the software that some companies claim can predict whether a song will be popular based on running it through an algorithm and how much validity does that stuff have?

Also on Jobstr...

Do you think there will always be a place for terrestrial radio, or does it feel like it's something whose obituary is being written, like video rental stores or print newspapers?

Hi. Today, 7/25/17, I heard a song between 12:45PM to 1:15PM approximatey. It starts off with only sax for a while and then the vocals. I have to find the name of the artist and the title (or I'll go nuts!) Please help.
Thank you very much.

Can you have a song with the word codeine in it! Or can you say the word codeine in your song?

Radio program/music director

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

What songs were initially hated by the listening public that eventually became big hits?

What specific events or programming decisions led to the most substantial rises or drops in listener numbers? Would hiring a hot DJ or running a specific promotion be enough to see an immediate spike in numbers?

What kind of behind-the-scenes commercial arrangements are there in radio? Can a record label pay a station to give its star a certain # of plays per day?

Have you heard of the software that some companies claim can predict whether a song will be popular based on running it through an algorithm and how much validity does that stuff have?

Also on Jobstr...

Do you think there will always be a place for terrestrial radio, or does it feel like it's something whose obituary is being written, like video rental stores or print newspapers?

Hi. Today, 7/25/17, I heard a song between 12:45PM to 1:15PM approximatey. It starts off with only sax for a while and then the vocals. I have to find the name of the artist and the title (or I'll go nuts!) Please help.Thank you very much.

Can you have a song with the word codeine in it! Or can you say the word codeine in your song?

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Hi. Today, 7/25/17, I heard a song between 12:45PM to 1:15PM approximatey. It starts off with only sax for a while and then the vocals. I have to find the name of the artist and the title (or I'll go nuts!) Please help.
Thank you very much.