Has anyone else noticed that more commercials than music is actually played on most stations?

Question

It drives me crazy, how about you?

I know, I know...get satellite radio. ;)

For now I have to settle on CDs.

Answer 1

It may seem like it when you're waiting through a bad spot, but the truth is, stations play a lot more music than commercials. Just to be sure, do an experiment. Sit down with a note pad and timer, you can probably use the one built into most computers (check your control panels).

Do this when you've got a full hour during the week between 6A - 6P. Start at the "top" of the hour :00 and go through :59. Write down everything that runs on your favorite station and how long it runs. Divide everything into four broad categories: chatter/talk (including weather and traffic), music, commercials and station promotional announcements.

You'll probably log about 10-13 minutes of commercials in your hour, depending on the format of your station and the time of day. The rest will be one of the other three categories - all of which to a station program director are NOT commercials.

Once you've done that, you can tell your friends you "clocked" the station - and you'll have accurate information. Most stations that brag about playing a lot of music will probably come in at approximately 11 minutes of commercials, 7 minutes (or less) of talk, 2 minutes of station promos leaving about 40 minutes of music. This will change drastically in morning "drive" time - so take that into consideration.

- a guy named duh

Answer 2

I agree with Patrick, BUT I would set the max at 15 minutes. 12-13 is usually average. 10 mintues of commerecials is about the best it gets these days.

Answer 3

yeah and when they play music they only play the same 5 songs over and over again.

Answer 4

yeah thats why i listen to yahoo music

Answer 5

Well, duh. Commercials are 30 seconds long.

Answer 6

switch stations.  no brainer.  if a station is playing more than 20 minutes of commercials per hour, that's insane. Stop listening to them, period.

Answer 7

the radio has been that way for long time, some stations have blocks where they d limited or no commercials, other than that you said the two other alternatives