Singing News to revamp airplay chart
Yesterday, Doug Harrison at Averyfineline broke the story that Singing News is revamping its airplay chart. They are cutting their list of reporting stations from over 200 to 75, and making a point of apportioning slots on the reporting stations list to locales where there is a heavy Southern Gospel presence. David Bruce Murray comments on the story here.
My reaction is far more optimistic than either Harrison’s or Murray’s. Recognizing that there is a problem is the first step, and sometimes the hardest to take. Making the chart reporters more selective is also a good move; this will lead them to take their role more seriously.
If stations value the privilege of being included, this will lead them to take Singing News more seriously when SN moves to the next point on the plan, mandating tracking software if they want to keep that privilege.
I view this as a promising first step that could lead to even better things in the future.
Comment by JoSatchmo (October 31, 2007, 9:34 am)
Politics, politics, politics. Singers that can’t carry a tune in a bucket are in the top 40 because they’re on the right record label. SN plugs 4 or 5 record labels and if radio stations don’t air about 90% of material from those record labels then they are not in the SN radio circle. This move is just more of good ole Christian politics, just put into overdrive.
Comment by Tim (October 31, 2007, 1:35 pm)
I think that this is a great first step. Salem, which owns SN, has experience with sucessful charts in other genres and I am sure that SN will benefit from that knowledge.
Comment by Paul (October 31, 2007, 8:45 pm)
I think I have to kind of agree with JoSatchmo.
Comment by st (November 1, 2007, 8:33 am)
What if the station does not value being included? I mean some would rather not have 200 promoters calling every month. How does it benefit the station to be a charting station? They get all these calls every month and on top of that you are suggesting requiring certain software they must invest in. The only possible benefit is having updated music sent every month. But - if I am a station manager all I have to do is call a few record companies or artists and they would send it anyway.
Comment by lilinsider (November 1, 2007, 1:06 pm)
Just to let you know that the amount of charting stations before the cut was about 110. Also, sounds like JoSat has some good opinions. But they are only opinions and are not the facts of this business. At least not for those who strive for integrity and look to the Christian moral compass as they conduct business with various parties throughout the day. I am speaking from direct, first hand experience. There is a lot more to the world of the SG industry than you think based on assumptions about a process that unfolded with the attempt to strengthen His radio ministry throughout the country.