Can Top 40 Escape The ‘Doldrums?’ Ask Guy
• For more than three decades, legendary programmer and consultant Guy Zapoleon has been diligently chronicling what he observed were 10-year music cycles of pop radio. Now, as we close out of 2024 and enter 2025, Guy sees Top 40 radio pulled over into, for lack of a better term… a musical rest area, as the industry continues to contract. So, what’s next?
Zapoleon says, “We’re finishing out year five of the longest Doldrums period in history as we returned to the same genre rut with radio not reflecting the most popular national genre percentages after Top 40/CHR radio saw a false positive back in June with a healthy genre balance and an up-trend for CHR radio ratings.”
He added, “Also, we leave 2024 and experience yet another holiday season where we see our business make more and more heartbreaking cuts, both at radio and in the music industry. It’s important to note that what built our industry was the best talent and especially for radio that was live and local air talent going back to the dawn of our medium. It’s still radio’s biggest advantage and without the very best talent radio just can’t compete with other platforms.” Please take the time and read Guy’s complete report, posted at guyzapoleon.com.
