Audience confusion? KODJ related

[Guest for now]

Okay, as someone who has just entered the "25-54" magic radio demographic, I had a friend who is a couple years older than I am (but still under 30) ask me, "Why is KODJ playing this song?" in reference to The Police's "Every Little Thing She does is Magic."

I honestly couldn't give a strong answer, other than that they are trying to mix in a few 80s songs to grab younger listeners, right? I mean they haven't sold KODJ as "Super Hits of the 60s and 70s" or even "oldies" for some time...

I also reminded him that their main competitor, Arrow, (sorry Rog/Marcus, I didn't really get a chance to hear KHTB this trip into town) plays the Police on a regular basis. ... as would any "Jack" station.

I guess my main question is, as oldies (de)volves into 'classic hits' - are listeners going to be confused? People in the coffee house I visit here in Seattle are confused about KBSG now that it has a new on-air name and is playing so much 70s music - but then they are probably considered P2s or even P3s by the station.

I am sure that KODJ isn't too happy to hear they're being broadcast royalty free in a local business, though... or maybe they are.

[Timmy]

Do public places have to pay something for playing a local station? I didn't know that. I know the McD's in AF always has KSFI on. I thought that would be like free advertising for the station. Plus when PPM comes, there's another listener.

[Guest for now]

Apparently starting in 1998, smaller businesses were (FINALLY) exempted from being forced to pay royalties. I know a local thrift chain plays the radio too... so they must follow the rules for a larger square footage business.

www.ascap.com/legislation/legis_qa.html

Of course, with the music industry in such fear due to the Internet, I wouldn't be surprised if this policy has somehow changed in the past 10 years.

I just know my PD I worked for hated that businesses played our station... I'm guessing because of what radio must pay the industry to essentially 'promote their product' (for free).

[CAwasinNJ]

As I think you were alluding to, that webpage was written 10 years ago, so I agree that we're not sure how accurate it is. It's a good start though.

I've always understood that as far as permission from the actual radio station goes, a business was always allowed to use free standing radios, like a boom box sitting on a table. It was when it was a "permanent installation" like speakers in a ceiling that permission from the station was required. How that relates to the performance rights of ASCAP/BMI/SESAC I'm not sure.

Radio stations should be really thankful if a business has them on. Theoretically they should be receiving a benefit right now, since diary holders are supposed to report that listening. Problem is, they can't report it if they don't know what station is on. PPM's will fix that, as Timmy mentioned. Stations like FM100 and KOSY that are common in offices, stores and so on should really benefit.

I'm tempted sometimes to say KODJ is a classic hits station now. It varies a little though.

[michaeljwyo]

CA- that's how I always understood it to. If a radio is sitting on a counter because an employee is listening to the radio, then it's okay. But if they are running through their in-store music system through all the speakers in the ceiling then they should be paying licensing. Yeah it's stupid but that's the way it works (or worked) as far as I know. Hence, Muzak was born. Easier to pay just one fee per month to a music service and let them take care of all the royalties to BMI, ASCAP, SESAC et al.

KODJ is a sad thing. I love oldies and missed oldies. Now I'm pleased as punch because I can listen to 1060 or 860. We're in the middle of some sort of transition right now I guess you could call it where those that love oldies are getting too old to spend money and out of the demographic so they'd rather cater to slightly younger people. (I guess older folks don't listen to the radio) Even the syndicated satellite services are changing. I know that ABC Radio's "Pure Gold" format used to be one of my favorite formats and I'd look for stations running it. They've morphed with the changes too. Here....read all about it on Wiki:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldies_Radio

I guess pretty soon 80s will be considered "oldies" and that makes ME feel depressed

Michael n Wyo

[CAwasinNJ]

80's won't be called "oldies". Not going to happen. There already are 80's stations, so that isn't a stretch.