So why play so few songs on Smooth then?

You're the "broadcasting consultant", you tell us!

It seems to be working fine for the likes of Heart, Capital and Magic.

Ok it's been a while since I read the book, but from memory, restricted playlists began in the States in the 40s when two guys working on a mid level station noticed at their local bar something remarkable about the jukebox selections.

Despite the machine having hundreds of discs inside, the same 10-20 songs were chosen the vast majority of the time. And it didn't matter how many Bing Crosby/Glen Miller/Frank Sinatra songs were available, the public zoned in on 1 or 2 tracks from each artist and disregarded the rest of their catalogue.

These guys quickly realised that if you can find those specific songs (and stay on top of public tastes going forward) and avoid the duds you'd have a winner! They switched format and quickly went to number one in their market. Since then in American radio, it's been a research arms race.

It's all in Halls book including some rather wacky research methods that were tried.

So that every time someone tunes in they hear one of their favourites.

Totally ridiculous to assume that listeners like only a few songs. To me that's a turn off and why I no longer tune in to Smooth.

To some people however it has the opposite effect. Like I say when you're building a station this is a proven way of doing it. It works.

Pat Sharp just posted this on facebook,

"I am playing another magnificent 7 in a row next @SmoothRadio so hop on board for less pat, less chat and more tuneage!!!! ‪

Seven songs in a row!! Why is he there then????

Thank goodness for Jazz-fm and Solar Radio

It is possible to add in some personality even with a tight format and really short links. Some broadcasters are talented and versatile enough to understand the format and how to work with it.

He also tweeted that! Can't see him staying around for long if he is saying things like that.

So how does a listener acquire any new favourites or a station ever play any new stuff with this short sighted and easily destroyed theory?

It's getting quite comical as well as patronising this " I know and you don't " stuff. As has been said before, keep trotting in out pal, and you might eventually convince yourself.

Simple answer switch smooth off and listen to something else

Very few listeners only ever listen to one radio station, most have at least two or three that they listen to on a regular basis and as there are more stations available that number is only going to increase. There are also many more ways of accessing and being exposed to music, especially new music.

Radio stations know this but the best way for a commercial station to build an audience in a crowded market is to decide which section of the audience you are going to go for and stick to it. I.e people will choose Smooth when they want something more relaxed and with no presenter clutter. If they're in the mood to hear that type of station they'll know (through good marketing and a previous experience) where they can get that. It's the same with any business, become famous for one thing and do it well. Radio stations do not expect their listeners to never tune to another station although they will make it a goal to increase the length of time that a person spends with their station.

I remember hearing that when Magic was following a simmilar format to today's Smooth, they shared a very high number of ABC1 listeners with Today on Radio 4. People would tune in for the days news and then switch to Magic because they just wanted some more relaxed music and minimal presenter input.

You still have not explained how other stations who follow the same programming stratagy have become a success despite being asked twice.

Am I right then to conclude that actually you don't know? Others have explained it to you and have also presented the evidence that suggest that it does work. I don't need to be convinced because I know that a station can be sucessfull when it's programmed in this way. Not always because people can still get it wrong but when it's done welll it works.

What's "quite comical" is the lack of understanding some posters have about a very simple concept. It's been explained why commercial radio stations operate playlists the way they do yet you seem to think it's a matter of opinion. It's not. It's fact.

Tight, focused playlists = bigger and more loyal audiences = more ad revenue = more profit.

It's really as simple as that.

Oh please! That's far too complicated for some people

The beauty of radio is that it evolves, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. One thing is for certain, Smooth Radio won't sound like it does now forever, changes to the format will take place as time goes by. Some will like it and some won't.
As a well pigged-off with society old git with time on his hands I quite like the way Smooth is sounding at the moment. I like to hear music, not some idiot talking about their rich lifestyle and how they have been hob-nobbing with their celebrity friends.

Well I have just driven home tuned to my local FM station and heard a good variety of new and old songs none of which made me want to tune out. One particular new song by Mariah Carey would be ideal for Smooth. Yet when I keep hearing the same songs over and over I want to and do tune out. The presenter spoke after every two or three tracks.

That's great news - I assume that means you'll be sticking with them, rather than returning to a station you clearly now dislike?

I have made it quite clear on here already that I no longer listen to Smooth the exceptions being an occasional morning with Simon Bates or a quick tune to check its still as bad.

I think it'll stay that bad 'til it gets to #1 - then it'll probably carry on in the same vein.

Good for you. What station was it and what songs did they play? Care to give us your professional opinion as to why that station's getting it right and Smooth are getting it wrong?

Smooth play 7 songs in a row. Well thats a miracle the most is normally 3 before a load of adds. As for pat sharp he clearly is not happy anymore so i guess its a matter of time before we get more fake celeb presenters.

I wonder if Pat Sharp would be better suited to Heart? I think he would be great on Club Classics on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Found myself singing along to the Cars and Drive earlier, nothing personnel meant about "DKJ," but as I sang out load " who's going drive you home tonight , it will be the Kid no doubt , sadly " I was met with the following mass of clichés, in a link which community radio presenters would avoid with more style, and any pro if it was/is pre recorded would have put far more effort into....................as follows and I quote, I pity the logger beacuse this is what I heard....................... " There is the Cars and Drive, I hope your Smooth Drive too is Ok, next I have three travelling tunes, One from Will Young and others from x and Z, I'm David Jensen, and this is Smooth ".......................pointless waffle, to turn off to, not drive home to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...................................,Having worked for Global as it is known now, granted under former ownership, but then had you have done that style of link in a demo, you would not have made it to air at all............... Had you have made it to air done that link you would not have been invited back to do any more such cringe worthy radio, and if they had thought you had the talent and risked you going on air, you would have been coached out of such bad habits in at least once weekly coaching with a PC................ thankfully the kids ( excuse the pun )were not in the car when i heard such drivel earlier, because as a result I was shouting un repeatable obscenities at the radio. It was not a Smooth Drive home.

I quite agree, Many a true word there. The 'Kid's links are appalling.If it wasn't for his 'heritage'voice he would not be there,full stop.