Variety hits

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Variety Hits (also known as adult hits ) is a radio format that first went on air in Canada in 2002. The best known representative of the variety hits concepts is Jack FM . Variety Hits was developed because the previous concepts in radio are losing acceptance and radio stations are losing a lot to personalized music streams such as last.fm or digital music players. After Canada, some stations in the USA adopted the format. In Europe, this concept is already being heavily analyzed by many radio stations. In America and Europe, the variety hits formats are controversial in the industry. In Europe, the formats are used very hesitantly and in a very alienated way.

Basic concept

All Variety Hits formats are characterized by a broad music spectrum within popular music and have a very low word content of often less than 10% in the daily average. The packaging of the program shows as a typical unique selling point the hard alternation of the music styles played and plays with extremely different musical styles. In contrast to many older music formats, the age of the music only plays a subordinate role. The most popular music tracks of the target group, determined by market research, are played on the Variety Hits channels, regardless of the music genre and age. This suggests the music flow of an mp3 player on random or shuffle play.

Jack FM

The rights for the concept are owned by “Paragon Media” in the USA and by “Rogers Media” in Canada. These companies supply the radio stations with the complete music rotation as well as the pre-produced moderation blocks. 60% of the music is identical at all Jack FM stations, 40% is determined by local surveys. With 1,200 to 1,500 tracks, the rotation is about three times that of American radio stations. The main component of the playlists are rock hits from the 80s. Furthermore, the claim ( playing what we want ) and the program scheme are identical at all stations . Outside of the morning hours, there are only pre-produced moderation elements and advertising in addition to music. Messages, contributions and other service elements also do not take place. The target group is 25–54 years. Outside of North America, the format is only available in the UK and as web radio. This is mainly due to copyright reasons.

Name FM

The "name" transmitters are modified copies of the Jack FM concept. American chains in particular have designed their own Jack FM clone. The fundamental difference to the Jack FM transmitters is the lack of 40% locally determined tracks. All stations sound the same. The target group is also 25–54 years

The most famous representatives are:

  • SAM FM (Simply About Music)
  • Mike FM
  • Doug FM
  • Mix FM

The “Name” channels are also only available in North America.

Movin '

"Movin '" is a variety hits format that is aimed exclusively at women. The music selection is more rhythmic, more poppy and tends to be “younger” than in the other Variety Hits formats. An alienated, but still clearly recognizable version of "Movin '" can be heard in Europe on the nationwide Austrian program KroneHit . The target group is 20–49 years.

All-time favorites

The “light version” of the variety hits formats is called “alltime favorites”. Only the music format is implemented, but not the packaging and the other concepts. This makes requirements of the media authorities in the various countries necessary. In Germany, the claim “The greatest hits of all time” or “Rock and Pop nonstop” is mostly used. The target group is the oldest version among the variety hits stations and is around 35–60 years old and is predominantly male.

30plus

30plus is the European-oriented Variety Hits concept that is already used in Africa. Around 60% of the titles are the same at all stations, the remaining 40% come from several possible music options (Powerhits, Lite, Rock, Rhythm, etc.), which are individually determined for the respective market. In contrast to Jack-FM, 30plus has news and live presentations as an integral part of the concept. Pre-productions also have a corresponding appearance and, in contrast to other variety hits formats, do not suggest any live moderation. The packaging of the program is relatively aggressive and younger than the music would suggest. All 30plus stations have the claim "Alltime greatest hits" or the equivalent in the respective national language z. B. “Only greatest hits”, plus a local subclaim. "Less talk on the radio" or the announcement of the frequency as in "Greatest Hits on 96.6". In contrast to all other Variety Hits formats, music specials are an integral part of the concept. In contrast to Jack FM, the radio stations are free to choose their names, only a few have adopted “30plus” / “30gold” in their names. The channels have a central packaging that is produced for all of Europe and Africa in Neu-Ulm and Münster, respectively, and supra-regional central marketing for the format that is located near Stuttgart. The group operates several local broadcasters with very low power for market research purposes. The target group of these stations is - of course - "30plus".

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