WHAT IN THE WORLD IS "TOTAL POPULAR MUSIC"?

We keep getting asked that question, so here is a concise answer. There are essentially three popular music radio formats these days -- Mainstream CHR-Top40, Hot Adult Contemporary (HotAC) and Mainstream Adult Contemporary (AC). That is not to say that other formats do not play music that is "popular," but it is not music that is classified as "pop music." The TPM Radio Format combines the three popular music formats into one composite. Therefore it is Total Popular Music. In other words, America's Most Popular Music is what we call Total Popular Music. And don't be surprised when it becomes the Next Number One Radio Format!

WHY WOULD A RADIO STATION WANT TO FEATURE TOTAL POPULAR MUSIC?

The short answer: better ratings, both cumes and Average Quarter Hour (AQH). That equals more revenue. That equals more profits. Who doesn't want more profits for their business? And a broadcasting facility is a business!

DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE ONE PERSON'S IDEA FOR A NEW RADIO FORMAT CAN BECOME AS SUCCESSFUL AS YOU PROJECT?

Yes, no doubts whatsoever! (Thanks for asking!)

Alan Burns, a radio consultant whose Alan Burns & Associates is based in Florida, created the Rhythmic AC MOViN format which now has about a dozen stations.

Back in 1977, consultant Mike Joseph created the Hot Hits format which helped spur the birth of what is now known as CHR, revitalized the Top 40 format and played a major role in bringing CHR to FM into the 1980s.

Even before that, in the mid-1960s, we had Bill Drake's creation, Boss Radio (aka "the Drake format"), a tight Top 40 format (actually only Top 30) that dominated the latter days of the format's reign on AM radio. (For the record: Boss Radio is officially attributed to Drake-Chenault, Bill Drake and Gene Chenault, originated at K-100 in Los Angeles.)

Boss Radio. Hot Hits. MOViN.     ==> Total Popular Music -- the NEXT Big Thing!

I am extremely confident that Total Popular Music as a mass-appeal programming formula is destined to become the nation's next Number One Radio Format, taking stations subscribing to it to the top of the ratings (both cumes and AQH) in every market where it's aired.

HAVE YOU EVER PREVIOUSLY CREATED A NEW FORMAT THAT BECAME SUCCESSFUL?

Honestly? No. However, in the early 1970's I had a big dispute with a Program Director. His policy (common in the industry at the time) was to "retire" a hit song when it went off the charts. It would be stored away for a full year before it could be featured as an "oldie" or "gold" or "memory." I said that was a mistake. Several months later, he was fired and I was asked to take over as PD. I put my idea to the test. When a major hit went off the charts, I moved it to a category of "New Gold" which alternated with the occasional "Solid Gold" that was a part of our hit music format. The listeners loved it, and a few other stations adopted the concept in the next two years. This was a very L-O-N-G time before today's standard concept of "Recurrents" but the idea was much the same. This is only one example of an original programming innovation that was later an industry standard.

In the 1980s I began airing music that today would be called Hot AC at what was then a "full service AC" station. Hot AC did not yet exist. And AC stations then were far more conservative than today's "soft rock" AC's. The station went to # 1 in its market, getting me off the hook with a General Manager who questioned my programming. I even was given a bonus and a raise when the "book" came out showing the station as highest rated in the market. When I took over as PD, it was rated 7th -- and there were only five stations in the market! Two adjacent market stations had beaten it.

(Someday I'll have to tell you about my one attempt to be a "shock jock" in the late 60's, long before anyone else made the concept successful. It worked, but got me fired!)

WHERE EXACTLY CAN ONE HEAR THE TPM RADIO FORMAT BEING AIRED?

The Total Popular Music format is still being test marketed by two radio stations -- albeit minus the TPM branding.

[Watch this Website for a major announcement that updates the rest of the information originally posted in this answer. We are quite excited about some new developments! A full special feature report is being prepared, and is expected to be completed and released in early Nov. 2008.]

TELL ME THE TRUTH. IS YOUR SUPER SIXTY CHART OBJECTIVE OR SUBJECTIVE?

Our TPM Hit Music Charts are all essentially objective, based on data from multiple sources that monitor radio airplay for the three component formats. However, with the Super Sixty, it is about 90% objective, leaving room for minor modifications from the raw data. For example, a song is # 15 on all three of the component charts. The point totals might well add up to rank that title objectively at # 10 on the overall composite listing. If a song is on the way up, that's great. But if that result is for a title that's been at the top and now is slowly declining until it goes to Recurrent status, a subjective adjustment might be made, so that it does not rank higher on the TPM Super Sixty than on any of the components. So, if one can accept it, even our subjective adjustments are based on objective analysis of industry chart data.

YOU OFTEN MENTION "TPM POINTS" FOR YOUR SUPER SIXTY CHART. WHY NOT JUST TOTAL PLAYS AT THE THREE POP MUSIC FORMATS?

This is actually something we have carefully considered. However, in test runs we found that such methodology gives Mainstream CHR an overwhelming domination. Consider: Number One on CHR averages 10,000 spins while Number One at HotAC might typically have 3500 to 4,000 plays, and at AC only about 2,000 to 2500. We have developed a weighted point system that helps account for these variations and "level the field" but doesn't allow for one format to totally dominate. We are hoping in the future to debut an additional, separate chart that is based only on total plays across the three formats.

YOU USED TO POST TPM VIDEOS WITH "YOUTUBE" BRANDING, NOW YOUR VIDEOS HAVE YOUR OWN BRANDING. WHAT'S UP?

There came a point where we were troubled by the poor audio quality at YouTube, and we began seeking an alternative. In the process, we discovered Ning.com which not only retains the original separated stereo audio (rather than mixing it down to a single mono track), but also allowed us to establish our own branding for our videos. Anyone can do that for their own Websites; and, best of all, the hosting is absolutely free! We still post most of our videos at YouTube as well, since that affords us greater exposure to the world to make them aware of this site, and ultimately our professional services.

WHAT'S WITH ALL THE "OLD" RADIO JINGLES ON YOUR WEBSITE?

The use of those "old" jingles is only to provide a "feel" for the Total Popular Music radio format. It is not meant to suggest that a subscribing radio station would be required to use such jingles, although we would recommend some fresh remakes of them from PAMS of Dallas (actually now administered by JAM). Both the "All American" and "Fun" packages are available for current customizing from PAMS, and they could easily incorporate the "Total Popular Music" identifier into them, along with your calls and/or other personal identifier. We would be glad to make those arrangements for a station being consulted by TPM. However, any jingle package you are currently using may be retained. That is a station's choice. Non-jingle, produced voice imaging now in use would also be acceptable. TPM aims to help radio stations improve, but we are not (as some consultants and/or format originators are) "dictators" about how you program your station. In fact, while we strongly recommend adopting the "Total Popular Music" and "TPM" branding, we do not require it! That is the individual station's choice. Regarding our website, the "old" jingles go along with one of our ongoing promotions: "Great Radio The Way It Was ... Today's Music The Way It Is." As always, contact us for more detailed information. By the way, we are also adding some more contemporary jingles, such as "continuous hit music," plus some new TPM signatures.
NOTE: Since this question was first asked, and answered, we've been moving away from the older jingles, relying more on fresh imaging production and new TPM signatures.

ISN'T TPM JUST ANOTHER NAME FOR "ADULT TOP 40"?

Absolutely not. Total Popular Music features much of the music that Adult Top 40 airs, but so much more! That includes the Hot AC-only hits that AT40 doesn't touch, as well as the AC-only hits that they never play. In most cases Adult Top 40 plays only Mainstream CHR hits, minus those that are "tune-outs" for a major target demographic. TPM does that also, but we add to that the Hot AC-only, AC-only, and multi-AC-format hits. Increasingly, a song that is only a hit at Hot AC, for example, eventually becomes a CHR hit. One example of that is Sara Bareilles' LOVE SONG. Although it did not become a Number One TPM Hit until it was a superhit at all three components, it was on our Super Sixty, based on Hot AC-only success for a very long time before that.

Our slogan "America's Most Popular Music" is more than just a catch phrase! Total Popular Music is total popular music!

HOW IS TPM DIFFERENT FROM OTHER VARIATIONS OF ADULT CONTEMPORARY?

TPM is NOT a "variation of the AC format." Nor is it a variation of the HotAC (or Adult Top40) format. Nor is it a variation of Mainstream CHR. Yet, it includes all of those. It is the ultimate popular music format, featuring all the hits. Songs that are aired by all three formats are played the most, but songs that are only aired by one of them are also included based on a formula that is a closely-guarded trade secret. At the same time, CHR hits that are "tune-outs" for some listeners are restricted from inclusion. Overall, it's all of the most popular hits with the most people -- or what was once known as "mass appeal" in the days when the original Top 40 format ruled the ratings. Total Popular Music truly is total popular music!

WHY DO WE NEED A NEW HIT MUSIC CHART, SUCH AS THE TPM PLAYLIST?

The main TPM Hit Music Chart was initially developed as a playlist for radio stations that subscribe to the Total Popular Music format. Publication via the internet was intended for promotional purposes to reach new stations across the nation. However, it soon became obvious that there is a public interest in hit music charts. Subsequently, for both radio programmers and the general public, other charts were developed and added -- the TPM Component Charts, The TPM Daily Dozen, etc. At some future point, as yet undetermined, subscriptions will be sold for full access. Anyone subscribing for free now will receive "lifetime free membership" benefits. Some of our chart info will always be available to the general public.

WHAT'S THE ADVANTAGE OF TPM CHARTS OVER ONES FROM R&R, MEDIABASE, ETC.?

TPM is not attempting to compete with R&R or Mediabase in any way. In fact, these source charts provide us (as other radio programmers) with valuable information on actual monitored national radio airplay. However, at this time, neither offers the Total Popular Music concept. Possibly, once TPM becomes a major player on the national radio airplay map, one or both of them will decide to purchase TPM -- or at least subscribe to our charts and add them to the wide variety of formats they now cover with weekly charts.

WHY ARE TPM COMPONENT CHARTS SO DIFFERENT FROM AIRPLAY CHARTS FOR THE SAME FORMATS PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE?

TPM Component Charts are reflective of a composite of results from the other sources; however, they are tailored to the overall TPM format as indicated each week by our main playlist. For example, not every Mainstream CHR hit is accepted by Total Popular Music ("no rap, no crap"), so that while the relative order of listed hits is accurate, the CHR listing only includes "TPM Hits." Another major variation is found on the Adult Contemporary chart. AC radio holds on to established major hits "forever and a day." When a title has been moved to RECURRENT status on the main TPM listing, it may only be listed as recurrent on any component chart. As a result, the TPM AC Component Chart reflects the top 20 currents, excluding the older titles that have achieved recurrent status. Those much-played hits are listed, however, on the TPM AC Recurrent Chart on the Component Charts page.

ON THE TPM COMPONENT CHARTS, SOMETIMES A SONG JUMPS 7 OR 8 POSITIONS, BUT ANOTHER THAT ONLY MOVES UP ONE OR TWO SLOTS GETS "GREATEST GAINER." WHY?

The Greatest Gainer honor is awarded to the title receiving the greatest increase in radio airplay in each format among the top 20 titles published. That is based on the actual number of plays one week versus the previous one. It is not dependent upon or reflective of chart movement. This first became an industry standard more than 30 years ago when Billboard began awarding "backwards bullets" on their Hot 100. Prior to that "bullets" were awarded only for upward chart movement.

WHY DO SONGS SOMETIMES DROP, THEN RISE AGAIN ON YOUR SUPER SIXTY?

The TPM Super Sixty is the ultimate hybrid format in the realm of "popular music" -- total popular music! It is the new "mass appeal" radio music format for the 21st Century. All three major mainstream pop music formats -- Hot AC, AC, Mainstream CHR -- are included. Our Super Sixty reflects overall popularity among the three component formats. At times, a song may "take-off" rapidly at Hot AC and CHR, and then when it begins to wane find eventual AC hit status. This could cause an initial drop with a subsequent rebound. The other primary explanation for drop/rebound of a title is trends at stations whose airplay is monitored. Sometimes radio programmers begin to diminish scheduled play for a song, only to receive negative reaction from listeners to that decision. In those cases, airplay often is increased anew after having been decreased.

DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR CHARTS TO BE THE MOST ACCURATE ONES PUBLISHED?

The answer to that is simply that the TPM Hit Music Charts are the only ones available for the TPM Mass Appeal concept. Therefore we can say with all confidence that the TPM Hit Music Charts are the most accurate ones for the Total Popular Music format!

SO NOW I SEE "TPM HIT MUSIC CHARTS" AS WELL AS "PLAYLIST" ... WHICH IS IT?

Both! The TPM All American Playlist, our original, main chart started out as a playlist for radio programmers, but as a general audience has developed for this, as well as our other charts which have been added, we find the descriptive "Hit Music Charts" better explains what the public-at-large understands. Additionally, to be totally honest, the major search engines have refused to acknowledge Total Popular Music if one searched for "hit music charts" (although other terms result in proof that they know we're here). Even an on-site Google search, turned up no results for "hit music charts." Thankfully, that has now changed!

MY FAVORITE SONG WAS GREATEST GAINER ON YOUR AC COMPONENT CHART, BUT ON THE SUPER SIXTY IT WENT DOWN BY A COUPLE OF POSITIONS. HUH?

The explanation for this is two-fold. First, a hit on one Component Chart (and only on that one) may lose ground against advancing titles from the other two component formats that effectively pass it, pushing it backwards a bit. Second, the AC chart represents the lowest amount of overall airplay for current hits of the three formats. Most Mainstream Adult Contemporary stations play their "currents" on a somewhat limited basis, instead emphasizing established AC favorites from the "recurrents" list and even older titles of past decades. A "Greatest Gainer" on the AC chart may only have an increase of 100 plays -- or slightly more or less, while a similar top gainer on HotAC gains 200 to 300 spins, and the CHR Greatest Gainer increases by 800 to 1200 airings. The TPM Super Sixty is a composite of all three components, with the result being the most popular of all popular music -- or as we call it Total Popular Music. I would suppose the short answer to this question is: "It's the theory of relativity" (with due apologies to Albert Einstein!)

WHY WOULD A RADIO STATION WANT TO RETAIN YOU FOR PROGRAM CONSULTING WHEN YOU'RE "GIVING AWAY THE STORE" ON YOUR WEBSITE?

At this point, we are indeed doing just that. Currently, Total Popular Music is being introduced nationwide as a new available radio format with fabulous potential in any market of any size. However, at some future point, we will be publishing less of our chart content online for the general public. Paying subscribers will then be able to obtain all of the content now available free of charge. An example of this concept is that utilized by Billboard magazine offering some free online chart content, but requiring paid subscriptions for full access. However, even a paid subscription to all TPM content would not replace the need for our personal services. More than just obtaining the TPM charts, radio stations engaging the Program Consultant services of TPM's creator/founder/publisher receive extensive personalized advice and assistance in both implementing the format and, on a continuing basis, fine tuning it specific to each station for maximum ratings gains. There is also one other essential element. To the casual observer this may not be apparent, but one thing you've yet to see on our website -- and never will -- is the rotation formula ("the format clock") for programming Total Popular Music. There is far more to TPM than just a playlist!

OK, SO YOU PROVIDE BROADCAST CONSULTING SERVICES. BUT IS THAT ONLY FOR YOUR TPM FORMAT? WHAT ABOUT MY STATION WHICH IS, AND WILL REMAIN, HOT AC?

You're in luck! Hot AC is one of my specialties. But to answer the question more thoroughly, we provide broadcast consulting for any and all radio stations, regardless of format. Of course, we believe any station can become Number One in its market -- regardless of market size, large, medium or small -- with the TPM format. However, we will gladly consult any station of any format. I will be the first to admit, though, that other than the Total Popular Music format, my programming skills are strongest in Hot AC, Adult Contemporary, and Mainstream/Pop CHR. Any station interested in discussing specifics is invited to contact us.

IS TOTAL POPULAR MUSIC A SUBSIDIARY OF TPM ENTERPRISES?

No. Actually TPM Enterprises is a subsidiary of Total Popular Music. TPM Enterprises is the umbrella created to provide services for Total Popular Music, including the design of our website. TPM Enterprises is now also available to others interested in its services, including website design and PROmotions. For more info on available services, visit the TPM Enterprises Web Page here.

WHY DO YOU HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT PAGE STYLES ON DIFFERENT SITE PAGES?

Total Popular Music's original website design is a product of TPM Enterprises. One service being offered by TPM Enterprises is website design, and it was felt that a variety of page styles would better illustrate the versatility available. For the record, while no TPM page uses one, site design may easily include a previously prepared template of the client's choice. For more information, visit the TPM Enterprises Web Page. (Hint: click on the logo at the bottom of this section!)

YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU DON'T USE TEMPLATES FOR YOUR PAGE LAYOUT. WHY NOT?

Our "front page" consists of the current week's main TPM chart, The All American Playlist. Quite honestly, in order to present that chart page in a manner closely resembling the print version, a unique page design was necessary. We may, in the future, develop an exclusive template design for use on all of our non-chart pages; however, at this time, we believe the style of page design being utilized is best suited to our purposes. TPM Enterprises is able to use a client's own template, or locate one suited to their needs, whenever a customer of TPM-E requests it. We also will gladly develop an original, exclusive design lay-out for clients. To discuss these services one may contact us using the email link at the bottom of this section.

IT APPEARS THAT YOU'RE VERY PROMOTION MINDED. WHAT'S WITH THAT?

Yes, we believe greatly in strong promotion of both the product or service, and, if applicable, the concept behind it. As everyone offering a product or service knows, without strong and effective promotion, one can have the greatest product in the world, but it will never be successful if nobody knows about it! Among services offered by TPM Enterprises is what we call "PROmotions" -- professional movement of something (or someone) by effective coordinated promotional campaigns. The TPM PROmotions service is available to radio stations, bands, artists, other performers/entertainers, or any legitimate business or organization. Again, for more info, contact us using the link below.

 Total Popular Music Email