American Top 40 HAC

[BROWNJB1]

Can somebody give me some information about American Top 40 HAC?, and how does this show compare to American Top 20 with Casey Kasem? I find it very interesting that Premiere decided to do an Hot Adult Comtemporary version of American Top 40 where they already have a Hot Adult Comtemporary show, with AT20.

[Deleted]

I think only a couple of people have heard the show, I found out it airs on OZ FM so I will be listening this weekend to see what it sounds like.

While this may not be the popular view of most, I believe Premiere should be COMMENDED for creating AT40 HAC for a couple of reasons. #1 they lost a show, when Dees didn't re-up they no longer owned his HAC show. I know what the immediate argument of some is, "yeah but they had Casey doing a HAC show so why not use him, they must be about to push him out the door" to which I disagree. Yes, they do have Casey and he does a 3 hour HAC show, not 4 which regardless of how you may think this would be welcomed news, remember PD's dont think like they average human being, they make things a whole lot more difficult then they are.

Here's reason #2.... Casey Kasem is into his 70's now, I cannot imagine and nor probably can the majority of you that are reading this, that he or CC are going to extend his contract. When this one expires he will be what, 80? This is not meant to be critical of Casey but I think someone finally should say it, have you even once maybe thought there is a good shot he may not even LIVE through the end of this deal? He is in good health and God bless him for continued health, but look at Dick Clark, all of a sudden....stroke, hospitalized and I;ve seen one or two posts kind of questioning whether or not HE will be back. We really don't know. I think Premiere had great vision in creating the AT40 HAC version because they are leading with their new countdown star and getting this new show established with an audience who already has a clue of who he is. Plus, I think Premiere also realizes that the CHR audience of today, is the HAC audience of a few years from now, again they will already know who Seacrest is and be familiar with his show from the CHR version.

[Scott Lakefield]

Let's not make this a morbid topic, folks. Yes, Casey is in his 70s, but he's in very good health, and showing no signs of stopping doing what he does best.

There's a more reasonable reason Premiere chose to do AT40/HAC with Ryan, and this dawned on me while posting a "how come Casey isn't doing this show" message on another thread somewhere on this message board. "American Top 40" is now a Seacrest brand. If you have another show with the same title (thus, to the casual listener, the same show) airing in the same market, you create one heck of a ball of confusion.

[Deleted]

I wasn't trying to make it morbid, I stated he was in good health and I hope that continues. I was making it a point of reality.

The problem Scott is people are thinking there shoudnt have been an AT40 HAC show since Premiere owned AT20. Not that Casey should be doing an AT40 HAC show.

[BrettVW]

My prediction is that Casey will finish out his contract which is for the next 10 years with (hopefully) no problem, and then call it quits.

I personally believe AT40 HAC was created for any Dees HAC affiliates, and to expand Ryan and AT40, and (lots of ands) to give PD's who may be 'required' to run a Premiere show an option, depending on how they program their Hot AC. A Hot AC that focuses on 80's, 90's and early 00's just as much as the current music would be much more suited to run AT20. A Hot AC that runs as an Adult Top 40, not playing 80's and very few 90's would be more suited for AT40 HAC.

Just my thoughts.

[Scott Lakefield]

I think you're right. Also, consider that they lost Leeza Gibbons (who did a HAC show) to WW1. So it may have been meant for some of those affiliates, too.

[Deleted]

giving an option could be a reason also, but the fact that they have only 1 CHR show now would make me think it is more along my line, but they could also feel with the overwhelming success of the new AT40(as overwhelming as it is going to get) to just stick with only one and build the CHR realm of radio shows around it, which is also why I think they did AT40 HAC, so when Casey retires they will just end the show completely and have only Ryan's.

[BrettVW]

I do agree with you there Paul. When Casey does decide to hang it up, I do believe AT20 and AT10 will not continue. If Ryan is still doing AT40, he will carry the CHR and Hot AC version of the show, and there are always plenty of syndicated AC shows out there.

But again, I see no reason why Casey wont be doing what he is doing at least through the end of this decade.

[Deleted]

I agree, I do not see Premiere kicking him out so I see him remaining unless one of the catastrophic scenarios I gave earlier occur.

[BrettVW]

*If* Premiere ever truly showed Casey the door....in my heart I believe he would wind up somewhere else in the blink of an eye. His affiliates would go down since the CC stations would no longer air his shows, but without question other networks would be pushing and shoving to get Casey.

Casey has a guaranteed job until he decides to hang it up. And in that 1% chance Premiere would let him go, if he still desired, he would be back counting 'em down within weeks.

[Scott Lakefield]

Let's not count our chickens before they're hatched. If Premiere wasn't interested in Casey, they would not have re-signed him to a 10 year contract last year. We shouldn't even consider this discussion til 2012 or 2013 or so.