Study: AC Music Preferences Break at Age Forty

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, July 28, 2010 | 4:57pm CT

Alan Burns and Associates continued to release data Wednesday from what it calls the "largest-ever study of female radio listeners." CEO Alan Burns suggests that AC listeners under and over 40 years of age have significantly different music preferences. "The over/under line in AC is now Age 40," said Burns. "That's the dividing line between listeners who prefer heritage AC artists and those who are into the newer artists."

"For AC women, the top artist with 30- to 39-year-olds is Pink with 40-49s it's the Eagles. Lady Gaga makes the top five list for Hot AC fans, but with Mainstream P1s the most contemporary artist in the top five is Carrie Underwood."

Burns also noted there are similar differences in music style preference and in new media behavior between the older and younger AC listeners.