Radio Airplay: The Truth

You read articles that give “the truth”– that say the Indie Artist can’t get “real” radio airplay. Are they right? Nope. Wrong! It’s a BIG world out there, but with the right knowledge and tools, it is possible for the indie artist get real FM radio airplay all over the world.

In fact, Musik and Film’s radio promotion service, Musik and Film Radio Promotions, has charted artists in the top 10 in many charts around the world.  Just check out artist testimonials about our radio promotions service.

Believe it or not, Indie Artists are playing on thousands of stations – some on TENS of thousands. To achieve this, one needs to understand how radio works.

How Radio Airplay Works & US vs. Non-US Radio

While we promote to many US radio stations, many of them are single-genre stations and they play the same set of top songs repeatedly. It’s a more difficult market for the Indie artist (but not impossible). However, radio outside of the US works differently. The rest of the world for the most part does not, for example, have a top 40 that they play over and over, and this is a big advantage for the indie artist.

They have what they call “Radio Presenters”. These presenters each develop their own play lists based on what the audience wants to hear. And most stations outside the US are not one specific genre. Most stations play a variety of music and have shows that feature two to four hours of rock, then pop, then country and every other genre. This is great for indie artists.

How Musik and Film Can Help

Our understanding of how radio airplay works is one of our unique specialties. Musik and Film Radio Promotions has over 250,000 radio stations including syndicated networks and station affiliates in every genre in 180 countries. We literally have just about every radio station in the US, UK, Australasia, Ireland, Scotland, and thousands of stations in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. 98% of our stations are FM stations.

We cover most Billboard, Cashbox and many other reporting stations and charts around the world. We promote to most major networks including ECMA, BBC, Sirius, I-Heart and many others. This means that we can promote your music for real FM radio airplay to major radio stations all over the world.

So, who is Musik and Film Radio Promotions?

First, we are musicians like you — musicians that have toured the world extensively as members of internationally recognized artists.

We realized radio in the US is controlled by major labels known as “Gatekeepers”, meaning Major US radio corporations that have positioned themselves as the Gatekeepers. They control almost 75% of the US radio market. This left 25% of possible stations within the US that would consider playing an Indie artist’s music. It’s a big world out there and we found out if you can get enough airplay outside of the US, it follows that the US market is then forced to listen and be receptive to playing your music.

How We Are Different

Musik Radio Promotions has developed a program that will deliver a high quality DPK (Digital Press Kit) to radio PDs (program directors). The DPK includes the artist’s promo picture, press quotes, web and social links, bios and music. We send the individual DPK to radio programmers all over the world. We do not “blast” your music to random stations. Instead, we send your music to targeted stations, grouped by regions and genres. Using this method we have developed a credible reputation in this industry.

Are we successful?

It’s easy to find out.  How many other sites do you see posting artists names listing pick-ups by the BBC, ECMA and thousands of stations around the world.  Check out the Testimonial Page to see what other artists have said about our service. Or watch this testimonial video by the band Fuser about how they used our radio promotions service to get their music played.

Benefits?

1. Collect 100% of airplay royalties around the world. A plus-outside the US, royalties are considerably higher.
2. Improve Touring. It is impossible to successfully tour unless people know who you are. Use the radio airplay and charts to successfully tour any geographical area.
3. Build your fan base. Successful FM radio promotion guarantees an increase in the people who know who you are. Some of those people will become new fans!

How To Get Started

We have learned from experience what radio will play and will not play. Production of the track is “key”. Make sure your tracks are professionally mixed, polished, and radio ready.

If you have radio ready tracks that you are looking to promote for real FM radio airplay, submit your track today. Our team of seasoned producers will review your track and follow up quickly for a free consultation!

We want your music – heard AND played.