Jackson’s songs soar on radio

Thu, 02 Jul 2009

Reports from the US reveal that airplay has soared across radio outlets -- AM/FM, satellite, and cable music channels -- for the music of pop superstar Michael Jackson since his death last week at age 50. While there are no statistics available for South Africa radio, the situation here would probably also show an impressive increase in the number of Jackson music on our airwaves.

Nielsen BDS provides the following report on which Jackson songs have been played the most. "Billie Jean" has been the most played song across monitored stations, reveals Nielsen BDS, moving from 33 plays on Wednesday to 1,038 on Thursday, June 25 -- the day Jackson died -- and peaking at 1,902 on Friday. Saturday the song was played 918 times, and Sunday the total was 588.

"Thriller" saw 17 plays Wednesday, soaring to 817 plays Thursday and 1,497 on Friday, and "Rock with You" moved up from 59 plays Wednesday to 802 Thursday and 1,445 on Friday. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was spun 45 times Wednesday, moving up to 645 Thursday and 1,302 plays on Friday. "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was played 33 times Wednesday, 597 times Thursday, and 1,192 times on Friday.

With tribute shows and stations going wall-to-wall with Jackson music, among the other songs that have seen substantially increased airplay are "Beat It," "Man in the Mirror," "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," and "The Way You Make Me Feel."

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