Nearly every time I tune into Power, I hear a song i don't really recognize.
You're right. Times have changed, and power will need to also.
Power plays certain songs that are unique to the market. A million years ago Y100 and I95 did the same. You had one station play a unique record and the other station would jump on it. Two examples Shalamar "Make That Move" & "Planet Rock" (for those who remember) they were huge in Miami. It was a very small percentage of songs, but it gave the (station) a individual sound. I'm sure call out research helped also (back in the day).
Now most stations running the same tired playlist and the listener will accept this. This is what the public is used to. Power will need to reign in the playlist to jump on the the PPM bandwagon.
The days of the flexible playlist are over. PPM will not allow that. What will fly in Denver, will now work in Ft. Myers. (Sarcasm)