And They're Off

[heydaybegone]

I cannot see the same 40-50 songs every year! I could name at least 40 songs that NO ONE.... EVER.... plays

This "seasonal" selection will always create this paradox. Besides "new" artistic seasonal music...there are covers up the Hannukah Bush!!  Here's one reason "country" is making waves. The artists are creating "new classics" that aren't traditional. An intriguing appeal.  Also notice...the country stations AREN'T flipping yet!

That said...there is definately staying power to rotate the traditional classics....AFTER the traditional Thanksgiving kick off (HEY..it ain't the Christmas Season till Santa rolls past Macy's on Thanksgiving Day!! If you're going tradition...stay with tradition.  )

So, if ya got 40 tunes...PLAY 'EM...no risk... no reward...IT's Christmas after all!!  (well, after November 24th)

[caveman-97]

What would happen if just one music station in each market played NO Christmas music at all?

[Jeff Michaels]

There is no reason in the world to play the same 40-50 songs. Feliz Navidad by Feliciano, Little Saint Nick by Beach Boys etc... Heck, come up with a rotation with those 40-50 songs and make them on an every other song basis and then make a "light" rotation with the many other songs... Gary Glitter's Another Rock N Roll Christmas, Queen's A Winter's Tale, even older artists with christmas albums that are ignored: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Moody Blues, Air Supply, etc...

[heydaybegone]

What would happen if just one music station in each market played NO Christmas music at all?

I've wondered that for 35 years.    Like the Tootsie Pop...the world may never know.

HDBG

[Jeff Michaels]

The book would come out and they'd have the biggest share all year!

[majicrockstar]

Most people love it! The ones that dont will either flock to Kiss or go canadian ! For Entercom its kind of win win for.

[John C]

Most people love it! The ones that dont will either flock to Kiss or go canadian ! For Entercom its kind of win win for.

I don't know anyone who "loves" Christmas music before Thanksgiving.  Guess I don't know "most people".   

[jas2525]

Most people love it! The ones that dont will either flock to Kiss or go canadian ! For Entercom its kind of win win for.

Actually, I know a bunch of people who are kind of disgusted by it. And they're NOT radio types either.

And I don't believe history shows a spike in ratings for Kiss as a result of this. In reality, Star & Joy listeners will not just go to Kiss (which would be the Entercom win/win as you say), but instead do what I actually do at this time of year: I change my presets to stations out of the area and/or listen to CDs for the next 5 weeks.

Ironically, as I've mentioned, many people really want to hear Christmas music between Christmas and New Years, so since Star & Joy stop on Dec 26th, many like me, probably listen to CDs for Christmas music that week.

Go figure.

[Jeff Michaels]

My mother is nowhere near a radio person and it pisses her off because she likes Fickle and Warm. Fickle at least doesn't jam it down your throat, but Warm sure does. I'd say starting a week early is proof of that!

WNYR is doing it right. Starting the day after Thanksgiving... Weekends only with occasional play during the week, gradually getting more as we get closer to Christmas. Even playing things that aren't traditional Xmas songs AND stuff you dont often hear!

[Yeziknoradio]

...but yet NOT ONE radio station anywhere from Buffalo to Rochester with a flip to Christmas that would hint returning to a NEW format? Oh well...