OK, I presume radio stations must buy the music they play. They pay the record label companies, I presume? And, also…
If it is a station that plays new songs, how do they know:
a) What exactly to buy?
b) Which cuts to play?
Or, do the record labels give out free demo CDs with select cuts? Yet again, maybe the radio stations get financial kick-backs from the lables by playing the songs dictated to them to promote???
In short, how the heck does this all work? It’s like the chicken and the egg, or is it egg and chicken, of the music world!
Let me dig back a couple of lifetimes ago to my short career as a radio programmer.
First off, many radio stations (or programming services) do extensive research with focus groups, playing various songs to see whether a supposed group of core listeners will give thumbs up.
Secondly, most record companies pass out complimentary copies as if they were beads at Mardis Gras. When a radio station actually has to buy a recording, it’s usually because they’re very small or have a poor relationship with the record label. When we wanted a specific song and couldn’t get a copy fast enough from the record distributor, we went down to the old music store and either paid retail or gave them a credit against future advertising.
The programmer (whether at the station, or with the national chain) has some input in determining which cuts are played, but most contemporary radio stations (and the music business in general) are hit-driven. As a result, the record label promotes certain cuts more than others, and the radio programmers fall in line.
Your question about financial kickbacks falls dangerously close to what is called “payola.” This was a huge scandal in the 1950s and the industry tries to stay away from the heavy-handed tactics that were used then.
Payola to the radio station is usually confined to concert tickets, free CDs to give to listeners, etc., and is generally covered by a phrase like “promotional considerations from __ Records.” Payloa directly to the DJ or programmer is forbidden at every radio station I’ve ever heard of. Ethical considerations are a part of it, but the main factor is the station management not wanting to put crummy music on the air that might drive away listeners.
Hmm…from what I understand, the Clear Channel stations (motto: You Will Be Assimilated) are practcing LEGAL payola at most of their stations right now.
You see, as long as you announce that a record is sponsored and someone is paying for the airtime, it’s not illegal!
So from what I’ve heard (industry buzz) they are requiring payment to even consider adding a song to their playlist.
Makes one long for the days of “when a song is added to my playlist, it’s a damn good song…”
But has anyone heard them announce this? I haven’t.
To the general issue: sure the radio station could play the deep cuts off the album rather than the “single” that the record company annoints. This might work at times, if it’s a really good song. But they’ll probably still get a whole lot more requests for the single, since it’s more known and exposed in every other context. So they would have to blatantly disregard the wishes of their listeners, and not many radio stations run for money are willing to do that. It’s much easier to just acquiesce.
