Clear Channel Communications Inc.
October 4th, 2004 @ 22:21Posted by: Chris
Clear Channel Communications Inc.
MYTH: Clear Channel radio stations banned air-play of the Dixie Chicks after political comments.
FACT: The radio company that banned the Dixie Chicks was Cumulus Media, not Clear Channel. That company also hosted the CD-smashing ceremony outside its Atlanta, Ga. headquarters, during which bulldozers crushed the group’s CDs. Simon Renshaw, the Dixie Chicks’ manager, told the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee in July that Clear Channel Communications did not ban the group’s music and had received a “bad rap.”
In reality, and in response to forceful and overwhelming demands from local listeners, some Clear Channel radio stations increased airplay of the group’s music in the weeks after Natalie Maines made her comments; other Clear Channel radio stations temporarily suspended airplay.
In fact, according to Mediabase’s Airplay Monitor service, Clear Channel Radio played Dixie Chicks songs more often – a full 10,069 times – than any other major radio broadcaster in the two weeks following the statement by Natalie Maines.
Clear Channel Radio stations are programmed, operated and managed locally based on extensive audience research. Local managers make their own decisions about programming and community events.
