The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum » Rethinking Radio Formats

RadioActive · November 5, 2025 8:23 am

An industry veteran puts forward the theory that most music formats are no longer connecting with listeners, prompting audience members of all ages to turn to streaming to find what they really want to hear. And he suggests they have to allow far more range in their otherwise tight playlists to win them back.

"These are listeners who’ve largely abandoned FM radio because it stopped reflecting what they actually listen to. They’ve turned to streaming and vinyl, not because they hate radio, but because radio stopped playing their artists.

Imagine a station that leans into this cultural shift. A station that’s not afraid to put Sierra Ferrell next to Reba, or Tyler Childers between The Eagles and John Anderson. A station that sounds alive again—less corporate, more human."

He may be right. But I can't help but think of the Top 40 radio I grew up with, featuring stations that would - in the early days - go from playing a Mama Cass single to "Hot Smoke & Sassafras" by the Bubble Puppy. They couldn't be more different, yet somehow it all worked.

Which makes me wonder if he may not be on to something here.

Casting a Deeper Net: Rethinking Radio Formats

mace · November 5, 2025 9:18 am

I have never heard of the four artists mentioned in the article. When I get tired of the 300 Classic Rock hits, I turn to the Accu Radio site to search for something different. If you want to think outside the box, musically speaking, this site will do it. As for current radio's problem, I think it is stuck in a "Listeners don't know what they like, they like what they know" mentality.

darcyh · November 5, 2025 11:11 am

WHLX 1590 & 92.7 Marine City Michigan has been doing a commendable job with its format "The Hill". Mix includes country, folk, classic rock, and the occasional blues tune. The 1000 watt 1590 signal carries fairly well into South Western Ontario during daylight hours. Its translator at 92.7 is also in mono.

paterson1 · November 5, 2025 12:43 pm

I don't particularly enjoy stations that play a bit of everything like heavy metal, followed by country, followed by a pop hit, followed by blues etc. What I do enjoy is a station that plays a song that I haven't heard in a long time or even years. Songs that were popular but for some reason never make it on air today. It use to be called the Wow factor and this is missing on many stations. I have noticed that BOOM in Toronto has mixed it up more in the past year and playing some songs that I never heard on the station before.

RadioActive · November 5, 2025 12:53 pm

SOWNY founder Dale Patterson used to run an online radio station called "Oh Wow" that did exactly what you're suggesting. Unfortunately, it was too much work with all his other projects going on, so he was forced to abandon it. But it sure was fun while it lasted!

mace · November 5, 2025 1:10 pm

RadioActive wrote:
SOWNY founder Dale Patterson used to run an online radio station called "Oh Wow" that did exactly what you're suggesting. Unfortunately, it was too much work with all his other projects going on, so he was forced to abandon it. But it sure was fun while it lasted!

I was not aware of this. I did listen occasionally and when a song came on that I had not heard in decades, my first reaction was OH WOW! It's been ages since I've heard this.

brian451 · November 5, 2025 1:13 pm

To a smaller degree, Indie 88 does something similar. They play the core Indie format, but then they have added Pet Shop Boys. Sheryl Crow, Fleetwood Mac, and other songs that do not fit the bill of Indie or Alternative. It is actually the only radio station my wife and I both agree on. Boom is a close second but we still prefer Indie over anything. I would still like to see a little more on Indie that makes me go WTF? But that hasn't happened yet

Radiowiz · November 5, 2025 1:41 pm

Too bad the late (not so) great Today radio didn't have this as their guide on how to attract an audience.

brian451 · November 5, 2025 2:04 pm

Today radio was dead before it launched. They went cheap on programming. There were several times that the "conversation" was pre-recorded. In fact I was with my wife and we were out late one night (around midnight) and suddenly I heard myself on the radio. Something from months earlier as well. So not even in the last week or so, but months earlier. They also followed a tight playlist, it was weird. I know this one was owned by Stingray and the Today or Now brand in Alberta are Pattison owned stations. The stations out there have a much larger playlist. Do a lot more requests and can really surprise people with the music played. Just going back and looking at the recently played on Now (which Today Calgary is based on), and they have played CreedOne Last Breath10:41 AMLady GagaThe Dead Dance10:33 AMThe BeachesLast Girls At The Party10:30 AMDoorsRoadhouse Blues10:20 AM
Those were the last 4 songs. But even before that, there were a number of requests that are not normal songs, which do not show up on the recently played. They also have live hosts until 10 or later and on weekends.
I personally think if there were more live hosts and a wider playlist that adopted more of the Now/Today style of the Alberta stations they modelled themselves after, they would have survived. But it is hard to survive in a market with established players like Kiss and Virgin, when they didn't do much to differentiate themselves. I think if Stingray were smart, they would take that station, which is now Country and turn it into a new format. Similar to what was mentioned in the original link. Have a playlist bigger than boom, focus on newer music, harder, softer, whatever. Sure, it might cut into the Boom ratings a little, but at the same time, it won't hurt Boom. Taking a station that can play Metallica, Eminem, Mumford and Sons, Kool and the Gang, Fleetwood Mac, Abba, and many many more artists would make Jack stations look boring. Especially by throwing in Teddy Swims, Benson Boone, Hosier, Alex Warren, Rhianna, Virginia to Vegas and several others. Even tossing in country music would probably make it a ratings winner. At least in my opinion.

Fitz · November 5, 2025 4:03 pm

darcyh wrote:
WHLX 1590 & 92.7 Marine City Michigan has been doing a commendable job with its format "The Hill". Mix includes country, folk, classic rock, and the occasional blues tune. The 1000 watt 1590 signal carries fairly well into South Western Ontario during daylight hours. Its translator at 92.7 is also in mono.

I just looked at their playlist, Emmylou Harris, Pink Floyd, My Morning Jacket and Bob Dylan. Triple A. Too bad it's in mono,

A format that has been going in the US since the early 90's but by passed Toronto. Windsor and Vancouver had triple A stations for a while. The format is the successor to progressive free form and a shame it never caught on in Canada but generally it has been the last variety format within the rock umbrella.

RadioAaron · November 5, 2025 6:33 pm

mace wrote:
I have never heard of the four artists mentioned in the article.

And there's the trouble. We're in a time where an act can fill arenas, but if you were to ask around outside of the arena you'd have trouble finding anyone who knows who they are. There are so many silos.

Two of the most popular artists right now are Zach Bryan and Bad Bunny, but no linear radio station has the ability to join those audiences together.

And the genres themselves can be more far apart now. Some of the most popular hard rock or metal acts today make Ozzy sound like Air Supply.

So, yes, while genre means less now than it maybe ever has, the difficult part is figuring out what's next. The vast majority will say they'd like more variety - that's the easy part. It's the follow up question that makes things way more complicated.

kevjo · November 5, 2025 10:26 pm

brian451 wrote:
To a smaller degree, Indie 88 does something similar. They play the core Indie format, but then they have added Pet Shop Boys. Sheryl Crow, Fleetwood Mac, and other songs that do not fit the bill of Indie or Alternative. It is actually the only radio station my wife and I both agree on. Boom is a close second but we still prefer Indie over anything. I would still like to see a little more on Indie that makes me go WTF? But that hasn't happened yet

They're getting there. Songs from Bruce Springsteen and a deeper cut from Arrested Development were heard there recently. At the moment Indie is the freshest sounding station on the GTA dial.

Marsden · November 6, 2025 12:01 am

I'm away from my shows for a few weeks now - hospital stuff but here is what I played on my October 25th show. I think it sort of fits what is being discussed...especially the last couple of hours...

Madness - Yesterday's Men (extended version)
David Bowie - Drive-In Saturday
Richard Strange & The Engine Room - Damascus (Burn In The Shadows 12" Remix)
David Usher - Black Black Heart
Rod Stewart - The Killing Of Georgie (Parts I & II)
Dr. Hook - I Got Stoned And I Missed It
Ronnie Hawkins - Mary Lou
Echo & The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon
Scissor Sisters - Invisible Light
Extras - Circular Impression
Sly & The Family Stone - Family Affair (Questlove Rhythm King Edit)
Gazebo - Masterpiece (12" Maxi)
John Ford Coley - I'd Really Love To See You Tonight
Jimmy Durante - As Time Goes By
George Rondina/Imagination Machine - My Heroes
Al Stewart - Roads To Moscow (live)
Youngbloods - Get Together
Beatles - Let It Be
Cars - Drive
Boys' Entrance - Rock & Roll
Elton John - Someone Saved My Life Tonight
Chicago - Color My World
Joe Cocker/Luciano Pavarotti - You Are So Beautiful (live)
Delerium - Myth
Aztec Camera - Notting Hill Blues
Barclay James Harvest - She Said (Live From Dury Lane)
Bob Dylan - What Good Am I?
Chip Taylor/John Prine - Sixteen Angels Dancing 'Cross The Moon
Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 1-5)
Sir Michael Caine - Rudyard Kipling's "If"
Luciano Pavarotti/Eric Clapton/The East London Gospel Choir/Marco Armillato/L'Orchestra Filarmonica Di Torino - Holy Mother (live)
Soft Cell - Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (RIP Dave Ball)
Milky Chance - Tainted Love
Dee Long - Good Night Universe

Last edited by Marsden (November 6, 2025 12:06 am)

mic'em · November 6, 2025 7:26 am

Canadian musician Cameron Whitcomb is being played on both the country and hit stations in my area of Sudbury.

RadioActive · November 6, 2025 7:43 am

Marsden wrote:
I'm away from my shows for a few weeks now - hospital stuff

Very sorry to hear about your recent health issues, Mr. Marsden, whatever they may be. I'm sure I speak for everyone here when we wish you a speedy recovery from whatever it is. You are, indeed, the Spirit of Radio.

RadioActive · November 6, 2025 11:45 am

Interesting coincidence that country performer Kip Moore has commented on the exact same thing - a lack of creativity on radio, in this case, the country format. But his critique can apply to all genres heard - and in too many cases, not heard - on the air.

"To their defense, a lot of these program directors want to play music like ‘Solitary Tracks,” he said referring to his latest album. “They want to play these songs, but their hands are tied because everything’s coming from these corporate guys that own all the stations from the top down. And it’s the same exact playlist in Dallas as it is in Kentucky. And it’s like those are completely different people. That’s why this isn’t working.”

Kip Moore Gets Candid About Today’s Country Radio: ‘This Isn’t Working’

Marsden · November 7, 2025 12:24 am

RadioActive wrote:
Marsden wrote:
I'm away from my shows for a few weeks now - hospital stuff
Very sorry to hear about your recent health issues, Mr. Marsden, whatever they may be. I'm sure I speak for everyone here when we wish you a speedy recovery from whatever it is. You are, indeed, the Spirit of Radio.

Thank you for your very kind words. Mostly this is the time when I have many appointments and followup to previous serious health things. UHN are so very knowledageable. Every Doctor and Nurse involved is extremely professional and caring.

I am deeply touched by your note. Thank you.

Just a guy who has enjoyed every moment of radio and TV that I have been lucky enough to have had. And yes - I have concern for its future.

Last edited by Marsden (November 7, 2025 12:25 am)

RadioActive · November 7, 2025 8:01 am

Marsden wrote:
RadioActive wrote:
Marsden wrote:
I'm away from my shows for a few weeks now - hospital stuff
Very sorry to hear about your recent health issues, Mr. Marsden, whatever they may be. I'm sure I speak for everyone here when we wish you a speedy recovery from whatever it is. You are, indeed, the Spirit of Radio.
Thank you for your very kind words. Mostly this is the time when I have many appointments and followup to previous serious health things. UHN are so very knowledageable. Every Doctor and Nurse involved is extremely professional and caring.

I am deeply touched by your note. Thank you.

Just a guy who has enjoyed every moment of radio and TV that I have been lucky enough to have had. And yes - I have concern for its future.

You are in very good hands, Mr. M. The folks at UHN saved my life several years ago. I trust you will have the same outcome.

mace · November 7, 2025 9:36 am

RadioAaron wrote:
mace wrote:
I have never heard of the four artists mentioned in the article.
And there's the trouble. We're in a time where an act can fill arenas, but if you were to ask around outside of the arena you'd have trouble finding anyone who knows who they are. There are so many silos.

Two of the most popular artists right now are Zach Bryan and Bad Bunny, but no linear radio station has the ability to join those audiences together.

And the genres themselves can be more far apart now. Some of the most popular hard rock or metal acts today make Ozzy sound like Air Supply.

So, yes, while genre means less now than it maybe ever has, the difficult part is figuring out what's next. The vast majority will say they'd like more variety - that's the easy part. It's the follow up question that makes things way more complicated.

I am not familiar with their music, but I am at least aware of Zack Bryan and Bad Bunny.