Even classic rock stations play just a few songs

[Marthe48]

Why?

I noticed when I played the radio in the car, but now that I listen at home, it seems like they have a loop they play, and they play the same songs over and over. The djs brag that they'll have new songs next week, but the songs are classic rock and even when they get new songs, they loop. There are thousands of songs from the early rock era.

I know about Pandora and other websites. I am on a broadband diet. I have a lot of music cds and I guess I'll have to play them more often.

[marble falls]

1. Thats how I listen to my rock. CDs never wear out.

[Marthe48]

2. My husband made a bunch of cds

Some he bought and downloaded for presents, and made a hard copy, others he copied before the laws changed. Most of those I haven't listened to. Funny how they accumulate!

[TEB]

3. My wife has pandora

I think it is fifty dollars a year subscription

[marble falls]

4. It may have changed, but when I had it you had to pay close attention to it ...

to keep it from adding music I really did not want, that was not classic 60's - 70's music.

[Archae]

13. They still do that on the free service.

My movie soundtrack station will get a song from some guy I never heard of, that is not from any movie.

Fortunately I can delete it from play.

(Listening to "Duel Of The Fates" from the "Phantom Menace" at the moment.)

[randr]

5. Community Public stations are where the music is at

Americana at its best

[Marthe48]

8. Do you have a list of stations?

Could I hear them on my radio? Or a website? Thanks!

[randr]

10. Most stations have apps

Try these:
KVNF
KOTO
WWOZ
KBUT

The OZ is New Orleans at it's best
The others are small stations near me.
Let me know what you think.

[Duppers]

14. Thank you for mentioning OZ

I had forgotten about it.

🙏

[The Genealogist]

6. As I understand it...

Music is tested with focus groups, to see what tests well with various demographic groups. Then, these big companies just play what tests well with their target audiences. The result is what you are describing. To my ear, commercial radio sounds sterile and bland nowadays.

[Marthe48]

7. You'd think they'd settle on a few more songs though

At home, I'm listening to a classic rock station that plays a lot of Ozzie, Aerosmith, Tom Petty, and then some other major groups. But seem to play 2 or 3 songs from each group. I wonder if they limit the number of songs thinking that most people only listen in the car, or have other resources. They don't play a lot of ads, either.

[randr]

11. Commercial radio is pop music

Designed for profit.
Real radio stations feature Independent labels and artists who produce their own work.
90% of new music never is presented in the pop world.
NPR is doing a great job showcasing new artists and music on their "Tiny Desk" feature. Check it out and see what you think!

[The Genealogist]

15. And this is why community radio is a good thing

A good community station will play a great variety of music, and music that other stations don't or won't. KFAI in Minneapolis springs to mind. Beautiful, multicultural mix of music, if you like any kind of music you'll hear it there. Even if you don't live there you can listen on the internet.

[Generic Brad]

9. I listen to the same 25,000 songs over and over again

The entire classic rock top 100 from 1966-1986 is pretty much included in there. My collection has more obscure things than any radio station plays.

[randr]

12. I volunteer at a community station

with a library of over 60000 CDs of every musical format. Building this since 1977 and adding 20 new releases a week at least
It is amazing to see young people discover some of the greats for the first time.

[MissMillie]

16. I'm with you on this

I can't help but think that there is no need to repeat any song once in a 3 day period, and no need to repeat a single artist within 24 hours.

There really is enough music out there to end the repetitiveness. And I don't think it would be that difficult to set up a computer program to make it happen.