Your questions answered about the Radio 1 Playlist...
Which shows feature playlist records?
Radio 1's daytime programmes are generally built around Playlist records - from early Breakfast until Scott Mills at Drivetime, plus a few weekend programmes.
Why do you have a playlist?
Radio 1 tries to bring the best new music to the widest possible audience. The playlist combines the favourite tracks of all the different DJs and producers to provide a varied mix of music and introduces exciting new artists alongside those more established.
Does the playlist apply to Zane Lowe's show?
No. Like all Radio 1's specialist shows, Zane works with his producer to pick the best new tracks for his audience. Mostly specialist shows play music that hasn't been released yet.
Who decides which tracks are playlisted?
The new playlist is compiled at a meeting chaired by the Head of Music each Wednesday and is published online at approx. 5.15pm. The Playlist Team, consisting of a varied mix of producers across all shows attend, alongside the Music Team; however everyone from the Controller to the work-experience person can, and frequently does voice their opinion!
What criteria are used in deciding which tracks are added?
Many factors are taken into account and it's a delicate balancing act. We aim to play a mix of genres, ensure we support new UK artists as well as more established acts and feature more challenging tracks not played by most other stations. The newest songs are introduced alongside tracks that are more familiar and popular with listeners.
How much say do the DJ's have in the music played?
Most presenters have records of the week and space to play new tracks they really want to champion. They also have their say on which tracks are added to the playlist, but as well as playing their favourites they are also expected to play tracks other presenters are supporting.
How many tracks are playlisted and how often are they played?
The playlist is split into four lists. The number of tracks on each varies slightly week to week depending on release dates and there are no guarantees regarding the number of plays each will get. On average however there are around:
- 19 A list tracks, usually receiving just over 20 plays a week
- 16 B list tracks, 10 to 15 plays
- 8-10 C list tracks, 5 or 6 plays
- 5 1Upfront tracks, which get a varying number of plays.
What is the 1Upfront list?
It's a selection of records that allow us to showcase a wider range of music. Some tracks are by emerging artists you won't have heard in daytime before, while others will be songs we think you'll share our excitement for, but which aren't due for release for some time.
Do tracks move up from one list to another?
Yes, most tracks do. The playlist meeting each week considers which songs we think listeners would like to hear more and which they want less of - and tracks are moved accordingly.
Do you have quotas for certain types of music?
Because Radio 1 is part of the 成人快手 and funded by the licence fee, we make a commitment that at least 40% of the music in daytime will be from UK artists. We treat this as an absolute minimum however and normally 45-50% of the playlisted tracks are British. We also play a range of genres, bringing together the best of each, rather than concentrating on just one area of music.
Why can't I buy many of the tracks you are playing yet?
The playlist tries to balance tracks that are already released and available, with brand new tracks you haven't heard before. Normally new tracks will be added to the playlist 3 or 4 weeks before they are released and introduced slowly at a lower rotation.
How long will a track stay on the playlist for?
The average is usually around 6 or 7 weeks - although if the track is popular it can be longer. We try and ensure as many people as possible get the chance to hear a track, but stop playing it before you get tired of it.
Why don't you play A-list tracks less and feature a greater number of tracks instead?
Again it's a question of balance. Most people don't listen to the radio all day long and an A- list track won't usually be repeated for three or four hours. This means the average listener to Radio 1 will only hear the most played record twice in a week. If we played each track less then most people would never hear a lot of the tracks played - which would be of little help to the new bands we are supporting.
Why do you play so much rock (or dance, or urban, or pop) music?
Radio 1 plays a wide mix of music and aims to appeal to a broad range of listeners - not just fans of one genre. It is one of the few radio stations where you can hear the latest hit from an American hip-hop star, followed by brand new indie track by an unknown British band, and then a big dance track from Europe. For every person who thinks there is too much of one type of music, there is often another who thinks the opposite - as a quick look at the playlist message board demonstrates.
Why don't you play more songs I like?
Unfortunately, with 12 million people listening each week we can't please everybody, all the time!
Will you play the record I've made?
Each week we play around 400 new records across the station - if we think yours is better than all the others we get sent each week then yes. Coldplay were first played after they dropped a CD off at Radio 1 for Steve Lamacq. Don't expect to be A-listed overnight however.
Do you ever ban tracks?
We never ban tracks outright - if you see a story that we have banned a record then the likelihood is that we've simply decided we don't think its right for the playlist. Obviously there are times when the lyrical content of a track may make it unsuitable for play at certain times, but programmes are free to play either a suitable edit of the track, or feature the track at an appropriate time.
Why don't you play many old records?
Radio 1 is all about trying to discover and support new music - playing older tracks would allow less space to do this.
Do you always playlist the Number 1 record?
No. It depends on whether we feel the track will be of interest to listeners. Far fewer people buy singles than listen to Radio 1 and sales of some records are primarily to people who don't listen to the station - if we don't think listeners will like the track we won't playlist it and just play it as part of chart countdowns or other special features. Sorry Crazy Frog!
Does anyone ever read the comments on the playlist Message Board?
Yes. It's one of the many methods we use to gauge your opinions鈥our texts and emails to programmes are also taken into consideration.
Click here to return to the playlist
6Music Chart