[mewzilla]

"What was wrong was that (the decision to not play Dixie Chicks records) was coming from the top ... and that (DJs) were not allowed to play the records, even if they wanted to. ... I think that kind of censorship is dangerous," says Maguire.

That's the free market, sweetie. Freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom from consequences. I don't like what you're spewing, I'm not about to buy what you're selling.

[mainepatsfan]

They obviously don't believe that the customer is always right.

[Common Tator]

Well that was done to stop payola. If the D.J. can't pick the records he plays, there is nothing to be gained by giving the D.J money.

Large market radio stations hire people to conduct focus groups to tell them what people want to hear. They bring in several groups in the town were the station is located and play songs for them. The reactions by age group, disposable income, and other factors are noted.

Smaller market radio stations can't afford the expense of dedicated focus groups. So there are companies that do focus groups for a number of stations.

Then there are companies that report on every record played by the big market stations. If you can't afford to do focus groups you can get the play list of stations that do.

Some stations will buy the focus groups but also buy the play lists of competitors as well as those of other big markets.

In the end it is the result of the focus groups that count... with two exceptions. If a station gets a ton of legitimate male for a record or against a record it will be added or removed from the play list.

But NO station will pay any attention to form letters. If they did all it would take to make the play list or be removed from a play list was for some individual to buy a ton of form letters,sign em and send them in.

But mail just reinforces the focus groups. I have never heard of a case where the FOCUS GROUPS said one thing and the MAIL said another. It just does not happen.