Radio is one of the most important mediums for music lovers, despite the influx of other modern digital platforms. This is especially true for musicians who want their content to spread to the masses, as the airwaves remain one of the best ways to get their work out there. Artists and their teams rely on charts to keep track of how their songs are performing at radio stations across the country.
Almost every radio station has a chart which they use to keep track of everything from airplay to programming to playlist adds and more. While they all have some sort of system, every radio station is different, and each one offers different advantages for up and coming artists.
For example, a well established and recognizable radio station can offer better exposure than a less known independent outlet. While both are great, one may reach a larger audience than the other. If you’re a musician, chances are you are looking to distribute your music, and you’ll be looking to keep track of its performance via radio charts.
It doesn’t matter if you’re just beginning your musical career or if you’ve already established yourself as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry–making it on to a chart is always important if you want an increase in listenership.
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In This Article:
What is the NACC chart?
The NACC Top 200
Can I submit charts to the NACC?
Are the NACC charts weighted?
Does the NACC provide charts to record labels?
What other charts does the NACC offer aside from the top 200?
WHAT IS THE NACC CHART?
NACC stands for North American College and Community Chart. It was launched in January 2017 and since then, it has been responsible for collecting charts from radio stations. The organization gathers these lists from over 200 radio stations. The NACC is not only dedicated to providing radio rankings, they also have editorial content on college-related culture. This is important for new and upcoming artists in the college scene or for those looking for their break.
Since college radio stations are non-commercial in nature, they are more accessible, however, this does not necessarily mean it is easier to get your music played. Making it in the college music scene is not a simple task, especially for those who are taking their first steps into the music industry. Keep in mind that this platform, though less difficult to break into compared to the commercial side of radio, still requires a lot of effort.
THE NACC TOP 200
The NACC collects information from radio stations every week and then creates its weekly top 200 charts. In them, the organization includes relevant information such as the artist’s name, the song title, the label, as well as current position. To access their latest charts with updated info, all you need to do is log on to their website and look for the NACC top 200.
CAN I SUBMIT CHARTS TO THE NACC?
If you’re a radio station, the straightforward answer is yes. However, keep in mind that in order to submit your chart to the NACC you must make sure you are a qualifying radio station. Otherwise, the organization won’t accept your lists. Also, make sure your program director reaches out to the NACC for call letters and market information. Just go to the NACC webpage and go to their FAQ section. From there click on the “HERE” link after “How Do I Submit My Charts to NACC?” and you should be well on your way. The chart reporting deadline is every Tuesday at 2:00 P.M. EST.
Radio promotion is still one of the best ways to share your music with the world. Let us help.
ARE THE NACC CHARTS WEIGHTED?
The NACC has weighted charts divided on a one-to-five tiered scale. On the NACC’s system, the number one has the least weight and five has the greatest weight.
- For low power stations and internet stations (100-watt range).
- For the smaller terrestrial radio station (100-almost 1000-watt range).
- For the mid-sized markets (stations in the 1000-watt range).
- For larger college markets.
- For the biggest radio stations.
DOES THE NACC PROVIDE CHARTS TO RECORD LABELS?
The NACC does provide chart information to record labels and also to promoters. However, the organization does not serve all chart information to labels and promoters as a gift. While the company does offer a free version to participate in, that option is limited. The group does offer a paid service which allows it to share all data related to the chart’s weekly creation.
WHAT OTHER CHARTS DOES THE NACC OFFER ASIDE FROM THE TOP 200?
The NACC offers breakout charts that are divided into categories and focuses on different genres. The styles of music the organization focuses on and offer charts for are:
- Electronic
- Folk & World
- Heavy (Loud Rock/Metal)
- Hip-Hop
- R&B/Soul
- Chill
- Jazz
- Latin
- Blues
- Canadian
- NACC Next (a sort of ‘heatseeker’ chart)
- Non-Comm (a more targeted chart that highlights community stations)
- And more
Want to learn more about college radio, charts and how you can jump into that world? Call us at (323) 952-5050 or reach out online.
