Radio & Records

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Radio & Records (R&R) was a weekly trade magazine that tracked radio airplay from the various genres including pop, country, R&B and many others. The trade publication began in 1973 and published its last issue as an independent on August 4, 2006. Radio & Records was relaunched as the "New" R&R under new owners VNU Media on August 11, 2006.

Like Billboard magazine, which tracks sales and airplay, Radio & Records tracked airplay only, although most Billboard charts are now airplay only too. Over the years, Radio & Records had been linked to Billboard for radio airplay. Radio & Records also kept score for Billboard to confirm positions for the Hot 100 and the Airplay Charts.

[edit] The merger with Billboard Radio Monitor

On July 6, 2006 VNU, the parent company of Billboard and its sister publication Billboard Radio Monitor, announced the acquisition of Radio & Records, and a month later on August 1, officially took over ownership. R&R now falls under the operations of the Billboard Information Group.

In a statement on both R&R and Billboard Radio Monitor's websites:

“This acquisition is in line with VNU's strategy to further strengthen its services to the radio and record industries,” said Michael Marchesano, president and CEO of VNU Business Media and Nielsen Entertainment. “With the added resources of VNU, especially our music services, including the Billboard Information Group, Nielsen BDS, and Nielsen SoundScan, R&R will continue to grow as a vibrant brand.”

On July 12, 2006, VNU announced that Radio & Records and Billboard Radio Monitor would be integrated into one publication called R&R. The new R&R publishes charts based on Nielsen BDS data. Both Billboard Radio Monitor and R&R ceased publication as separate trades, with Monitor issuing its last edition on July 14, 2006 after 13 years, and R&R ending their 33 year run as an independent trade with its August 4, 2006 edition.

[edit] Use In Countdown Shows

  • Casey Kasem used the Radio & Records Charts for his countdown shows in the latter part of his career:
    • The CHR/Pop chart was used for "Casey's Top 40" (January 1989-March 1998) and "American Top 40" (March 1998-October 2000, and August 2001-January 2004.) On the current day AT40 shows with Ryan Seacrest, Mediabase 24/7 is used.
    • The Hot AC chart was used for both "Casey's Hot 20" and American Top 20". On the present day AT20, Casey uses chart information from Mediabase 24/7.
    • The AC chart was used for "Casey's Countdown"/"American Top 20". Today, the show is known as "American Top 10", and it uses an unpublished audience-based AC chart from Mediabase 24/7.
  • The Country chart was used for CMT's Country Countdown USA, Jeff Foxworthy's "The Foxworthy Countdown" and "Bob Kingsley's Country Top 40," but these have switched to Mediabase 24/7 chart data. Radio & Records also supplied information for past syndicated country music countdown programs (including "The Weekly Country Music Countdown" (1981-early 2000s), and it was the source used on the syndicated daily radio progam "Solid Gold Country."
  • Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 (1984-2005)
  • Red Letter Rock 20
  • Weekend 22
  • The Urban Contemporary chart was used for "The Countdown", a two-hour program hosted by Walt "Baby" Love.

[edit] See also

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