What's Up With Format Lab?

[dougray2]

Here it is January 3, 2008 and the AT40 channel on format lab is still playing Christmas music. Does anyone know if they plan to resume broadcasting the AT40 flashbacks or if there are any plans for a new AT40 channel? Does premiere radio own this format lab or someone else? I would like to see them broadcast entire AT40 shows and also include 70s shows, or create a separate channel for 70s.

[llaves33]

I think they actually discontinued the AT 40 station. I tried playing it tonight and a pop up came up and said the file had been removed.

Also their #1 station which plays all the number ones from the Billboard Hot 100 seems to be replaced with a Latin station.
Nothing against Latin music but for us Diehard AT40/Billboard fans, it stinks. Is there anyone at Format Lab we can email and complain to?

Jeff S.

[steveironcity]

Its over. They have removed any mention of it from the page

[vto66]

steveironcity said:

Its over. They have removed any mention of it from the page

Why??? I was really enjoying hearing that station online!!!! Is there any way we can convince whoever is in charge of Format Lab to change their minds and relaunch an all AT40 channel? Maybe this time, they can have one that plays full-length AT40 shows from both the 70s and 80s, rather than just the "Flashback" shows.

[pzimm7700]

This won't be popular with everyone else, but it was the same shows over and over. It was doomed to fail from the get go. Maybe if they brought it back and aired all the FB shows 3 and 4 hour versions, mixed in all the AT40: The 70's and 80's broadcasts and kept the channel current with all the ones that were airing it could work. But otherwise it really was a waste of time.

[Caseyfan4everRyanfanNever]

Probably intended as an advertisement for AT40: The 80s

[pzimm7700]

Kind of difficult to be an advertisement when you never mention it. I believe the format lab is something at least in part, stations could use as their extra HD channels other than the primary one. I doubt this one was popular.

[kcouch]

hey everyone i am a newbie to posting but have been reading posts for a while and a huge at40 fan since it first came to northwest Arkansas back in 75. anyway the at40 Format Lab is back up!!!! www.clearchannelmusic.com/formatlab/at40.htm
will give input to other things soon
PS great site!!!!

[pzimm7700]

Thanks for the info, is it the same shows it was before running over and over again?

[Caseyfan4everRyanfanNever]

Playing "I Want To Know What Love Is" by Foreigner (#21) as of 8:21pm CST Sunday, January 20, 2008. Must be a show from Nov-Dec 1984, since the song peaked in late Jan or early Feb 1985.

[vto66]

Last night (February 16), I got a chance to hear that 9/14/ 1985 AT40 countdown show featuring the infamous "Dead Dog Dedication." I am well aware of Casey Kasem's initial reaction to this particular dedication, and I'm sure he didn't really mean all those nasty things he said during his now-famous meltdown while taping that segment of the show. Once he recovered, however, I thought Casey gave a very touching, heartwarming presentation of that dedication meant as a tribute to the memory of a beloved family pet. Just a speculation here, but I have a feeling someone at ABC (AT40's parent company at the time) may have got wind of Casey's meltdown, and as purely unintentional as it was, may have led to their reluctance to renew his contract three years later. Regardless, I thought Casey did a great job with that particular dedication, and I'm sure it took a lot for him to go through with it in spite of his initial reaction.

[ontheair]

The only thing that bugs me about Format Labs' presentation is sometimes they won't finish a show. They'll just start a new one from out of nowhere.

[pzimm7700]

In my experience with it, what happens is the show is out of order. I heard a couple this week that played 2 and 1, then started the show from the beginning, and then it went to the next show after #3. I also heard a few segments missed on a show, and then they aired after the show had ended.

[Scott Lakefield]

vto66 said:

Just a speculation here, but I have a feeling someone at ABC (AT40's parent company at the time) may have got wind of Casey's meltdown, and as purely unintentional as it was, may have led to their reluctance to renew his contract three years later.

Actually, as I understand the story, it had to do with ABC's perception of Casey's "hipness" factor, or, in their opinion, the lack thereof. Compare Shadoe's presentation to Casey's and I think you get an idea of what they were going for.

Now don't get me wrong...I think both Shadoe and Casey's styles are great...just different. However, I personally never would have taken Casey off AT40 in 1988.

And without starting this all over again, my feeling is the same regarding AT40 these days. CASEY should be hosting a HAC version of AT40 (instead of AT20) while Ryan does a CHR show called, for lack of a better title, "Ryan's Top 40."

[pzimm7700]

I don't know if I have ever asked you this directly, but since I dont know if I have or not, I will now. So you would rather have AT40 die when Casey leaves for good then have the show carry on to a new audience in a format and style they enjoy? For the record, I don't like that idea at all. And I feel Premiere has been very smart in their way of handling both hosts, and programs....unlike ABC who has made the same mistake now twice.