SINCE YOUR LAST FAQ UPDATE, A LOT OF CHANGES. COULD YOU UPDATE US?

We fully explained the biggest change — from a points-based Super Sixty to one based on TotalPlaysMonitored — in "Ch-Ch-Changes." You will find it here. To summarize briefly, after a long period of testing the new formula with a separate TPM Hit Music Mass Appeal Top 40, the decision was made to adopt that formula for our main chart, the Super Sixty. That new formula is quite simply one which uses the total airplay stats across the artificial dividing lines of popular music to create one listing of Total Popular Music.

HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO OBTAIN THE TOTAL AIRPLAY STATISTICS YOU NOW USE?

The transition was largely made possible by a partnership with ChartWatch Data Services (CWDS), which has since become a subsidiary of TotalPopularMusic.com, which is a service of Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting. Joseph K. Thomas (JKT), better known as former radio personality Jay Thomas, created CWDS. Jay's broadcast background includes radio engineering, as well as on-air host and Program Director & Operations Manager. He now operates his own IT services business as well as serving as Executive Vice President of TPM. The technology used by CWDS involves an especially designed computer that continuously receives data from all major radio airplay monitoring services, assimulates them into one master listing, eliminates duplications, and divides them to a level consistent with a single listing, and provides updated reports to us twice daily.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO WORKING WITH MEDIABASE FOR RADIO AIRPLAY STATS?

TPM Founder & CEO Mark Harris responds: "With due apologies to Jay Thomas, I remain open to that idea, if it ever becomes possible. For more than a year we tried to arrange a deal, but they failed to respond on many occasions. I continue to consider their airplay data the single most accurate and up-to-date source of radio airplay stats. Yes, Nielsen's BDS is good. But they tend to be a little behind Mediabase on accumulating and reporting their data. And I haven't fully forgiven Nielsen for pulling the plug on R&R, which was my favorite source of radio airplay reports a l-o-n-g, l-o-n-g time ago. Interestingly, back then they were Billboard's competitor, and used Mediabase airplay in their weekly publication. Which takes me back to a preference for Mediabase, which started theirs quite some time before BDS launched a competing service! (Arbitron knows about Nielsen starting a competing service too!)"

EXACTLY HOW DOES CWDS GET ITS AIRPLAY STATISTICS?

Excellent question! I've been asking Jay Thomas to explain it to me for several months. He won't. He says he has a patent pending for his new technology. Whenever asked the question, beyond what we've already stated, he says we can quote the note he's added to the bottom of the two format-specific Recurrents listings among our TPM Playlists, and on the overall AC 40 (which doesn't distinguish between currents and recurrents).

ChartWatch Data Services® continuously monitors all of the major "monitors" of airplay, assimulating all data into a composite master listing utilizing exclusive electronic technology developed by CWDS founder & President Joseph K. Thomas — a former longtime broadcaster who now operates JKT IT Solutions.

HASN'T THE METHOD CHANGE ALLOWED TOP 40 TO DOMINATE YOUR SUPER SIXTY?

Recently, there was an item on our TPM NewsPage about a station "evolving" its format from Rhythmic Top40 to Mainstream CHR-Top40. The company's SVP of Programming was quoted as saying, "Top 40 music is better than I remember it being in years." I couldn't agree more. That's one of the reasons we've "evolved" Total Popular Music to include more influence from CHR-Top40 and less from the "Adult" formats. We've virtually eliminated Lite AC stats from our main Super Sixty's compilation methodology, and by using total airplay from CHR-Top40 and Hot Adult (Hot AC), we've allowed the higher numbers from Top 40 Radio to control the upper third of our Sixty.

So far, the response from listeners, readers and radio station management has been overwhelmingly positive. Meanwhile, for stations that prefer our "original flavor" Total Popular Music, we still offer a Super Sixty that is based on TotalPlaysMonitored at all three popular music formats, although at the present time we aren't publishing it on this Website. However, we may occasionally take a look at the Top 10 from that alternate listing in response to a number of requests.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE NOW FOR YOUR FORMAT FROM HOT AC, ADULT TOP 40 OR MAINSTREAM CHR?

If forced to describe it as anything other than "Not just popular music, it's Total Popular Music," I would have to say it is something that radio seems to have forgotten. It's called "Mass Appeal Top 40" — except that we play more than just 40 songs. Add to the Super Sixty the 30 Hit Music Recurrents and Future 15 Hitbound titles, plus the special features, such as the TPM SURESHOT, and we have a "Mass Appeal 100+" that features the most popular of the popular aired most frequently. But the large number of playlist titles allows for a wide variety of music through the course of the day — but still "All Hits, Only Hits" for radio stations affiliating with Total Popular Music and airing our Exclusive TPM format, for which we provide full personal consulting for each station.

NOW THAT YOU'VE CHANGED THE FORMULA FOR YOU SUPER SIXTY, THE TOP 10 LOOKS LIKE A CHR LISTING. ARE YOU NOW OFFERING JUST A VARIATION OF TOP 40

Some time back, before we introduced the now defunct Hit Music Top 40 as a "second flavor" of Total Popular Music, we discussed at some length what would happen if we went to an airplay-based listing for the Super Sixty. That was before we even dropped AC chart listings from the main mix. Still, we pointed out that CHR Top 40 would dominate the upper portion of our chart. Consider: the # 1 song at CHR currently has 10,000+ plays, while the top song at Hot Adult (Hot AC) has about 3,800 total plays. One must consider the Sixty in its entirety to get a full picture of our TPM main format offering. You'll still find all of the Hot Adult hits that aren't (or aren't yet!) listed on the CHR charts. The Total mix hasn't changed, only the charted positions. Total Popular Music remains a broad-based format attuned to an adult audience but with strong secondary appeal to younger demographics.

Also, we differ from Mainstream CHR in not programming the # 1 song to repeat every hour or all of the "power songs" to re-air within a three hour block. TPM is currents-intensive with a secondary of recurrents, but one reason we chart as many songs as we do, plus Hitbounds, the SURESHOT, etc., is to provide a wide selection of songs to air without doing what most Hot AC stations do, which is to mix in 40 or 50% of the time songs from the past, as far back as the 80s.

With the Super Sixty and 30 recurrents, plus Hitbounds, we program from a total weekly playlist of more than 100 songs. Obviously, the more popular air more often than the less popular, and Hitbounds receive limited "introductory exposure."

YOUR FORMAT AIRS SONGS THAT SHOULDN'T BE INCLUDED IN ADULT TOP 40. WHY?

To those who say that, we say, "You didn't read the small print. Actually, the large print on our pages that discuss the creation of the Total Popular Music format." It is not Adult Top 40. It is the New Mass Appeal Hit Music format that features ALL the hits that can readily reach a 6+ audience with an upper demo cutoff of 65. Yet, it has repeatedly tested as obtaining leadership in the demographics that both Top 40 (CHR) and Hot Adult (Hot AC) seek to garner separately. In these days of tight ad buy dollars, can radio stations really afford to ignore segments of the total audience that both local businesses and agencies are seeking to reach? The days of fragmentation must end if music radio is to survive and thrive!

IF YOU INCLUDE SONGS THAT ARE ONLY HITS AT TOP 40, WHY NOT JUST LISTEN TO A TOP 40 STATION?

This question is actually often asked in reference to a particular title. I've explained on a number of these that at the age of 62, I love [song title]. And asked the question, "So why are stations programming to adults even younger than I NOT playing this SuperHit?" Before you say, "Why don't you just listen to a Mainstream CHR (Top 40) station?"... here's the answer. The recent hit from [specific title of hard rap song] is a "tune-out" for me. Whenever it comes on, I change stations...fast! And the station that just played it is not likely to get me back there in any hurry. On the other side of the same coin, while looking for embed links at YouTube, MySpace, and other sites, for videos of Hot AC hits, I often come across tons of positive "comments" from younger demo viewers/listeners that show a love for the "Adult" hits that CHR ignores. And how many songs that were "Hot AC-only" hits have gone on to be Top 40 smashes after they ended their runs at Hot Adult? (NOT MEANT TO BE and COME ON GET HIGHER are but two of many examples.)

ANY SIGNIFICANCE TO THE TOP 12, OTHER THAN THE BASIS OF YOUR "DAILY DOZEN"?

Yes. They are the "power songs" — the most frequently repeated — in programming the Total Popular Music format. While we have a weekly playlist of more than 100 songs (including 30 Recurrents), the most popular songs are most aired, but not as obnoxiously frequently as with the average CHR-Top40 station.

Speaking of the "TPM Hit Music Daily Dozen," have you noticed that we've added CWDS Airplay stats to the TPM Daily Dozen, with updates each day to the TotalPlaysMonitored? We're using the same formula for reporting the total plays on the Daily Dozen each day that we use on the weekly CWDS TPM 20. Noting the exact day-to-day changes proves to be rather interesting ... and addictive! We've were asked if this is a first step in making greater use of the TPM Airplay stats from CWDS. Maybe!

SOMETIMES THE TOP 12 SONGS LISTED ON YOUR DAILY DOZEN ARE THE SAME FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. DO YOU REALLY CHANGE IT EVERYDAY?

We never forget to change it. We know there are days when the Top 12 is identical in rankings with that of the previous day. We used to get this question more often. However, now that we list the Total Airplay stats from CWDS, one can follow those changes even when the ranks remain the same.

YOUR FRIDAY NIGHT CHART CHAT UPDATE "TOP 20 NOW" DOESN'T ALWAYS SHOW THE TOP 12 THE SAME AS THAT DAY'S "DAILY DOZEN." WHY?

The answer is quite simple. The Daily Dozen is just that. It is based on total airplay at our TPM component formats for the previous 24 hours. The Top 20 on Friday nights, and the new Super Sixty on Sunday nights (dated for Monday) are both cumulative summaries for the past week overall. A related question also asks about "inconsistencies" in reporting airplay gains or losses. Day-to-day that status may be different from week-to-week.

YOUR CHR TOP 40 PLAYLIST INCLUDES ONLY SONGS LISTED AS TOTAL POPULAR MUSIC. IS THAT THE WAY YOU ACTUALLY PROGRAM A MAINSTREAM CHR STATION?

No. I program a station based on the demographic audience it intends to reach. Songs listed on this site are more limited because they are designated as TPMusic, i.e. "TPM CHR Top 40." If I'm programming or consulting a non-TPM Top 40 station, I tend to program what any PD would for that format. It's not so much a question of which songs I program that makes my approach different, and hopefully better, but the actual formula used — which tends to be customized for each station and its market.

I AM THE GM OF A MIDWESTERN MEDIUM MARKET STATION, AND I REALLY LIKE YOUR TPM CONCEPT. BUT, NO OFFENSE INTENDED, YOUR JINGLES SUCK! IF I TAKE MY STATION TO YOUR FORMAT, DO WE HAVE TO AIR THOSE JINGLES?

Absolutely not! We don't even have clearance for any on-air use of them! We have a handful of signatures that were "donations" from various companies for online use only. If you have the budget, we can hook you up with some awesome jingles for your station, with or without the TPM designation, from top jingle companies.

DO YOU DO THE VOICE IMAGING FOR STATIONS YOU CONSULT?

The answer is no. Or yes. Or maybe. As a rule, no. However, if a station's management want me to do it, I'm glad to add that. I've also been asked by a couple of small market stations to do some imaging for them independent of any programming services or consulting. Of course, that can be arranged. In today's radio world, however, there are a number of great imaging voices that I can heartily recommend to stations I consult.

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.

I SEE YOU'RE A LITTLE HOTTER THAN HOT AC, BUT ISN'T THAT THE ONLY DIFFERENCE?

Absolutely not! No 90s, no 80s — TPM is currents intensive. Yes, recurrents enter into the mix, but only those songs charted somewhere as hits or recurrents are included. Because of that some have suggested Total Popular Music is just a toned-down version of CHR-Top40. No, because we also include HotAC-only hits. But it's not HotAC, because a lot of CHR-only hits are also included. And our top-rated, most aired, titles are for the most part also compatible with "Soft Rock" or "Lite Rock" AC formulas as well. We are currently promoting the best description of TPM (either of our two "flavors") that we can come up with:

Hotter than Hot AC ... Brighter than Light AC ... More Firm than Soft AC ... More Mainstream than Mainstream CHR ... Wider Demographics than any of them! Mass Appeal for the 21st Century!"

Yes, that's a bit wordy ... but it takes a lot of words to describe the first new popular music radio format in more than two decades!

WHAT ABOUT THE TOP 40 (CHR) SONGS YOU DON'T PLAY?

A listener can listen for more than an hour to songs he/she likes/loves before realizing any of the current hits that person might want on their normal CHR station are not aired on the TPM station. That translates what otherwise might be cumes into AQH stats in ratings -- especially with the new PPM methodology which does not rely on the accuracy of a participant's diary entries! (That's one reason why we are now promoting: "TPM Is PPM Friendly!")

IF TPM IS AIMED AT THE RADIO INDUSTRY, WHY DO YOU PROMOTE YOUR WEBSITE SO EXTENSIVELY TO A GENERAL AUDIENCE?

Radio stations are understandably hesitant to try something new. What if it doesn't work or receive audience acceptance? If a new format concept is already widely exposed to the public, and receives strong listener endorsement, stations will ultimately be lining up to subscribe to our programming services. Therefore, a major part of our current marketing strategy is to create a demand from the public -- radio listeners -- for Total Popular Music!

I'M A RADIO PROGRAM DIRECTOR ... ARE YOU TRYING TO STEAL MY JOB?

No, I would never do that. I can remember when an Assistant PD whom I first hired for an airshift and later promoted to APD stole my job while I was on vacation. I returned to find I no longer had a job there. It was not a pleasant experience. Still, the economic realities of our industry now are such that station personnel are being downsized without any involvement from us. In a cluster, all too often one PD is programming several stations, including formats out of that person's normal range of experience. And, yes, it is true: with TPM, no in-house PD is required, only a Music Director to implement specifics for that station. Nevertheless, while we may be openly seeking to reach (and sign) money-pressed stations, we are not seeking to "steal" anyone's current employment.

WHY DO WE NEED NEW POPULAR MUSIC CHARTS, SUCH AS YOU OFFER?

The main TPMusic 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 Daily Dozen, the Official TPM Playlists, etc.

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

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

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.

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, which is a subsidiary of Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting. 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.

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.