I've decided to
standardize the format descriptions on all of the pages. A simplified
version of the format list that companies like Billboard
and BRS Radio Directory
use will be employed here.
Rock
A general catch-all format
that includes bands from modern rock, metal, 80's rock and 70's rock
sub-formats. Generally rock stations feature a wide playlist and may
go from KoRn to Bachman-Turner Overdrive in the same set. May
be referred to as Album-Oriented-Rock or AOR.
Modern Rock
Playlists emphasize the more
modern, mainstream rock acts like Matchbox 20, Cake and the like but
may also occasional metal or 80's rock. Stations with this format
often mix in new wave 80's bands or showcase them in a separate
show.
Classic Rock
This format highlights rock
n' roll bands from the 70's, and often includes rock mainstays from
the 80's and early 90's. The playlist is somewhat narrow, generally,
and these stations sometimes offer "theme days" like Two-For-Tuesday
and Weekend Rock Blocks. Stations usually shy away from more
heavy rock from decades past Poison and Kiss.
Country
A general catch-all name that
includes mainstream country artists and older, more classic country
artists too. Within this site, Country will be used to designate
country format stations that may or may not fit into other
country-related categories.
Classic Country
This format highlights
country hits of yesteryear by artists like Alabama and Johnny
Cash. Classic country stations often play old country tunes
that you cannot hear on mainstream country stations. Sometimes
these stations may have bluegrass or dixieland shows, too.
Mainstream Country
Probably the nation's most
popular format, mainstream country, has a tight playlist designed to
play the most popular songs a lot. Mainstream country stations
rarely go back beyond the early 90's when picking songs. Artists
included in this format are Garth Brooks and LeAnn Rimes.
Adult
Contemporary (AC)
This is something of another
"catch-all" format because it borrows music from rock and other
formats. Music on these stations can range from hot top 40 music to
borderline easy listening or soft rock. Some country crossover
artists can be heard on some stations. Some stations mix in
pop hits from the 80's and 70's. Artists range from Elton John
to John Tesh to the Backstreet Boys to Sheryl Crow.
Contemporary
Hit Radio (CHR)
Similar to adult
contemporary, only they throw out all the sleepy stuff that typical
AC stations are notorious for. Emphasis is on current modern rock,
pop and R & B hits. Sometimes referred to Top 40, Hot AC or
Rhythmic. Some stations may play more dance-oriented songs as
well.
Soft Adult Contemporary (Soft AC)
Just the opposite of Hot AC,
this format emphasizes softer hits from current and past
artists. Stations sometimes feature love songs or
instrumentals along with other artists.
Easy Listening
Take what little pulse is
left in Soft AC and toss it out the window and you've got Easy
Listening. No upbeat songs in this format; music is designed
to relax and sooth listeners. A hodgepodge of music finds it's way
on air with this format. Everything from the great singers of the
50's and past to big band to 70's lighter contemporary to modern
instrumentals. Think elevator music.
Talk/News
Talk stations play little or
no music. Their main programming consists of interactive radio where
listeners and hosts alike debate various hot topics. Stations
with this format designation in the ABMP lists may also play
occasional sports talk shows or carry sporting events and also
usually have up to date news on the hour or half hour.
Programs may be topical, political or just for entertainment.
Entertainment programs include the Don and Mike show and Howard
Stern, politcal shows include Rush Limbaugh and Tom Leykis, topical
shows include Judy Jarvis and Art Bell.
Sports Talk
Like Talk/News stations only
there might not be any real news to speak of and all of the
programming is sports related. Programming is usually more
localized than most Talk/News stations, but does include some
syndicated shows like The Fabulous Sports Babe and the Greaseman.
Oldies
Top 40 hits from the late
50's through the mid-70's. Some oldies format stations play
some rock from the early and mid-70's as well.
Classical
Stations under this format
usually play parts or full-length versions of compositions from the
world's great composers. The majority of these stations are
noncommercial and also carry a public radio feed like PRI or NPR.
Jazz
Similar to Classical format
stations, jazz outlets are usually public and carry similar public
radio programming as classical outlets. Stations under the jazz
moniker can range from traditional jazz to "lite jazz" stations that
are almost exclusively contemporary jazz and vocals stations.
Adult R&B
Formerly known as Urban Adult
Contemporary. Similar to regular adult contemporary, but only
African-American artists are highlighted. Stations usually offer up
a smorgasbord of artists from other sub-formats like lite jazz, R
& B and soul. Toni Braxton and Luther Vandross come to
mind. Stations also usually have some gospel programming on weekends
and often mix in oldies from black artists dating to the 70's and
early 80's.
Hip-Hop
Formerly referred to as Urban
Contemporary, this format includes modern African-American hit music
from categories like hip-hop, R&B and rap. Sometimes these
stations have old school shows highlighting 80's artists.
You'll probably hear artists like Brandy, Snoop Doggy Dogg and
Master P.
Classic R&B
Formerly
referred to as Black Oldies or Classic Adult Contemporary. Like
the regular oldies format only tailored to highlight
African-American artists from the 50's through the 70's. May also
include more bluesy music, soul and R&B.
Religious
Another catch-all name, used
to designate stations with unknown forms of religious programming,
but also stations known to play a diverse mix of programs. These
stations can be found at the commercial and noncommercial ends of
the dial and usually mix in religiously oriented music with talk or
spoken work programs. This format name covers pretty much all
denominations of all religious sects.
Contemporary Christian
Contemporary music in any one
of the aforementioned music formats can be heard on these
stations... Some may play more gospel, some may play more
alternative christian music. These stations usually also mix in talk
and spoken word programs. They are often found in the commercial
band.
Miscellaneous
Other format names will be
used from time to time in the lists when none of the above will
do. Examples include "agricultural",
a designation that means the station mainly focuses on news and
information that farmers desire; "community",
which designates a station that usually is totally locally run with
local only programming in any number of diverse formats; "all
news", which is nothing but news around the clock with only
occasional sports or talk programs; "public
radio", which is a catch-all for stations that are in the
noncommercial band, non-religious in nature and may be either jazz
or classical; "big band/standards", features big band music of the
40's and the great singers of years gone by; "gospel",
which refers to a genre of religious music. If the exact type
of format is known, a station will be listed as "southern
gospel" or "black
gospel".