Dance Radio Network
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Dance Radio Network?
2. Why dance music instead of another format?
3. What are the services provided by the Dance Radio Network?
4. What is Ch. 1 - Dance CHR?
5. What is Ch. 2 - Dance Hot AC?
6. What is Ch. 3 - Cardio Classics?
7. What is Ch. 4 - Club DRN?
8. What is Ch. 5 - Educational Dance Choice?
9. What is Dance Music News?
10. Does the Dance Radio Network provide weekly music charts?
11. Why syndication for my station?
12. Which is better for syndication, FM or HD Radio?
13. Can my station, as an affiliate, be involved with the dance music community?
14. Does the Dance Radio Network publicly stream on the internet?
15. What is market exclusivity?
16. Are there options for stores, restaurants, and venues to utilize DRN?
17. Can I leave my station unattended, perhaps nights and weekends, using the Dance Radio Network?
18. Can affiliates cutaway from the network for local programming?
19. Is it difficult to utilize automation for localization of my spots and IDs?
20. In which ways may an affiliate station make contributions to the network family of stations?
21. What technical support will I have?
22. How can I know what DRN Channel is right for me?
23. Exactly what is necessary to make this all happen?
24. What is my investment and costs?
25. Will I make money by using DRN?
26. When is the earliest I can begin using DRN?
27. Where is the Dance Radio Network headed in the long-term?
28. How can my station become an affiliate?
29. I am interested in DRN. Who may I contact?
1.
What is the Dance Radio Network?America’s Dance Radio Network (DRN) was formed as a limited liability company in the first State of Delaware. DRN offers affordable syndicated programming solutions to affiliate terrestrial radio stations defined as channels. DRN was created by veteran radio broadcasters for broadcasters. With advances in technology, radio is no longer constrained between 88 and 108 MHz on your local FM dial. Radio can now be accessed on many different platforms and found just about anywhere. First and foremost, we advocate FM and HD Radio
TM in the United States. We believe that listening to radio should be free for everyone and that a proposed music performance tax is unfair to our broadcasters. The Dance Radio Network was designed to bring a pulse back to the dial.
2. Why dance music instead of another format?
Dance music is a unique choice of programming for a radio station. This format stands out from the other stations in any market. Many of the artists are recognizable from other genres of music including pop, hip hop, R&B, and modern rock. These songs by the original artists have been remixed to a particular beat. Dance music reaches perhaps the broadest demographic and is growing substantially in the United States. Ratings cume (the cumulative number of unique listeners over a period), AQH (average quarter hour), and TSL (time spent listening) may vary per market. Our mix of music is competitive in rural, suburban, and urban markets. We succeed when our affiliates succeed..
3. What are the services provided by the Dance Radio Network?
DRN provides non-stop syndicated programming in real time distributed by satellite or IP (internet protocol). DRN has several programming choices of channels for terrestrial FM or HD Radio affiliate stations. Our massive music library consists of many thousands of songs representing the past several decades. Each channel is unique and can not be interchanged by the affiliate unless a prior arrangement has been made with the network. DRN produces specialty features such as the Dance Music News. We include a toll free request line, exclusive automation add-ons, music charts, and real-time data for your web site or stream.
4. What is Ch. 1 - Dance CHR?
Dance Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) features the most current dance hits and dance remixes of popular songs. Priority airplay is designated to new releases. Playlists consist of new cutting edge music, current hits, and popular hits of the last few years. After new music is added to our rotation, songs will either move up or down in the number of weekly spins. Our most heavily played songs will average between 55-65 spins per week. The average BPM (beats per minute) is 126. The target audience is people 18 to 45 years of age.
5. What is Ch. 2 - Dance Hot AC?
Dance Hot Adult Contemporary (Hot AC) features a wide assortment of popular favorites over the past several years. Dance Hot AC is a hybrid between uptempo pop and mainstream dance music. Songs that have previously charted heavier will receive more airplay. Current music also airs on this channel but with a lighter weekly spin count than Dance CHR. The average BPM (beats per minute) is 124. The target audience is people 26 to 54 years of age.
6. What is Ch. 3 - Cardio Classics?
Cardio Classics features the timeless dance songs of yesteryear. These are the songs you grew up with which trigger happy memories. From the disco days to eighties retro and nineties micro, Cardio Classics is the home of party favorites with a very light assortment of current songs. The average BPM (beats per minute) is 120. The target audience is people 34 to 62 years of age.
7. What is Ch. 4 - Club DRN?
Club DRN features current tracks and anthems from the world’s hottest nightclubs. These songs are often at a slightly faster beat than mainstream dance and sometimes a little longer in duration. Club DRN is like being in the DJ booth on America’s largest dance floor. The average BPM (beats per minute) is 130. The target audience is people 21 to 26 years of age.
8. What is Ch. 5 - Educational Dance Choice?
EDC is a choice of syndication for college and student radio stations. FeelEDC.com is the online home for this subsidiary of the Dance Radio Network. EDC is the perfect musical format for schools with a diverse population. New music of various genres is prevalent, but all remixed to a danceable beat. Perfect for non-commercial stations, EDC provides mini educational features and public service messages to fill at breaks. The content of the music fits under radio friendly guidelines. The target audience is people 15 to 26 years of age.
9. What is Dance Music News?
Dance Music News is a service sponsored by the Dance Radio Network. Dance Music News may be distributed in print and/or audio & video formats. Each of our network channels has the option to carry the regularly produced newscast.
10. Does the Dance Radio Network provide weekly music charts?
Yes, the Dance Radio Network provides a weekly music chart featuring the top ranked artists and song titles. DRN also provides an affiliate online database to access exact spin count and exact day/time songs are aired.
11. Why syndication for my station?
Now more than ever, radio stations need a competitive edge to make a profit. There are many more choices for consumers to hear music whether it be internet radio, satellite radio, cable television music channels, iPods, etc. When terrestrial radio stations lose listeners, this can translate to less advertising by clients. DRN is an inexpensive solution for your FM or HD Radio station. With DRN you get our program director, music department, promotions coordinator, and DJs all in once nice little package delivered directly to your radio studios. Dance Radio Network is a unique niche in any market. There’s nothing quite like it… and people listen!
12. Which is better for syndication, FM or HD Radio?
This choice is yours. DRN works well with FM radio stations anywhere in the country. Flip the automation switch on and you’re good to go. The same is true with HD Radio. Since HD Radio is fairly new and unfamiliar to some people, many radio fans do not yet have HD Radio receivers. DRN provides great content on a budget. When the word gets out that your station carries the Dance Radio Network, listeners will have an incentive to purchase their own HD Radio receivers.
13. Can my station, as an affiliate, be involved with the dance music community?
You bet! As an affiliate station, you are welcome to attend dance music conferences and disc jockeys expos. Stations often send delegates to these informational and networking events. Your station could also qualify in the annual International Dance Music Awards. DRN encourages our affiliates to share their own dance music radio news, participate in polls, and host their own special events.
14. Does the Dance Radio Network publicly stream on the internet?
No, none of the DRN channels stream publicly on the internet. DRN is a service provider only. Our affiliates are the end-users.
15. What is market exclusivity?
The Dance Radio Network offers market exclusivity to our stations. Both the Market Survey Schedule & Population Rankings (Blue Book) and Radio Metro Map based on market definitions may be found at Arbitron.com. Sign up today and reserve your market.
16. Are there options for stores, restaurants, and venues to utilize DRN?
Our channels are designated for terrestrial radio station broadcasters only. Retailers, casinos, restaurants, gyms, health spas, and night clubs are encouraged to carry their local DRN affiliate as their music supplier. Affiliates may offer special incentives for local merchants to play their station. For HD Radio affiliates of DRN, have an informational HD Radio kiosk playing your station at participating venues. Educate your community on the benefits of HD Radio.
17. Can I leave my station unattended, perhaps nights and weekends, using the Dance Radio Network?
Absolutely. DRN is here for you whenever you need us. Affiliates have the choice of when or when not to use the service.
18. Can affiliates cutaway from the network for local programming?
Yes. You have the freedom to use the services provided by our network whenever you like. Your station can use it 24/7 or certain day parts. Some affiliates chose to host their own local morning and/or lunch-time shows.
19. Is it difficult to utilize automation for localization of my spots and IDs?
Using the automation software is relatively easy assuming the user has a general knowledge of Microsoft Windows.
20. In which ways may an affiliate station make contributions to the network family of stations?
Affiliates will have VIP access to insider information on our secure intranet. This private intranet site lists calendars, internal news, and other shared content between affiliates and the network. Affiliate stations may also host a live broadcast coast-to-coast on our network of stations. For example, an evening weekend time slot on DRN may be a live broadcast from a nightclub in your city hosted by your own talent.
21. What technical support will I have?
DRN guarantees a quality, uninterrupted audio feed to your facility. In an unlikely event of network technical difficulties, an authorized affiliate representative will have access to the DRN emergency hotline. DRN also supplies an auxiliary emergency audio feed. All other technical issues are the responsibility of the affiliate station. The burden of installation and configuration of equipment is also the responsibility of the affiliate station. DRN, however, provides helpful step-by-step instructions to obtain our network feed and utilize our recommended automation system from Broadcast Software International (BSI). Both training and tech support for BSI products are available directly from Broadcast Software International.
22. How can I know what DRN Channel is right for me?
Affiliates may only use the DRN channel according to their agreement. In some cases, affiliates may want to use two of the Dance Radio Network channels… one for their HD2 and another for their HD3. For most commercial FM and HD Radio stations, we recommend DRN Ch. 1 - Dance CHR ‘Top 40 Dance Trax’.
23. Exactly what is necessary to make this all happen?
After a Win-Win agreement is consummated, the affiliate will need to obtain the necessary equipment. In the simplest of scenarios, a network receiver and PC for software automation is all that is required.
24. What is my investment and costs?
Aside from the network cost, an affiliate will need to invest in a network receiver and automation system. For satellite users, a dish (parabolic antenna) and receiver are very inexpensive these days. The most basic package including dish, receiver, hardware, and shipping averages a mere $500. Aside from a PC, the affiliate would need just the automation software and a good sound card. We recommend BSI Simian 2.0 (Lite $499 / Pro $1499) for radio automation of spot inventory. Our preferred sound card with trigger tone detection is the AudioScience ASI6620 ($995) also available from Broadcast Software International. Please check bsiusa.com for merchandise, tech support, and pricing updates.
25. Will I make money by using DRN?
Assuming you have at least one sales person with a heartbeat, you should be able to make a considerable profit by utilizing the syndication services of the Dance Radio Network. Please see our Sales page for tips and network cost.
26. When is the earliest I can begin using DRN?
Affiliates may begin utilizing their network programming choice at the consummation of our Win-Win agreement.
27. Where is the Dance Radio Network headed in the long-term?
Provided that people want to feel good with upbeat music, the Dance Radio Network will be here for many years to serve our affiliates. We strive to continually be innovative with technology and creative with our programming. Our short-term goal is to provide exceptional service to affiliate stations while expanding throughout North America. There are eventual plans to expand internationally.
28. How can my station become an affiliate?
If DRN is not already in your market, becoming an affiliate is easy for stations that qualify. First, review the information found on this web site. Please note any questions you may have. Second, review our standard Win-Win agreement based on your channel selection. Be sure to ask any questions you may have to one of our customer service agents. Finally, submit the signed agreement to your account executive. Upon approval, your station will be granted full status as an official Dance Radio Network affiliate.
29. I am interested in DRN. Who may I contact?
Simply call (302) 294-2020 and ask for a prospective affiliate benefits package. Additional information is located on our Contact page. We look forward to serving you.
