Format describes the type of programming on a radio station. Most formats are based on a combination of genre, release age and intended audience.
Billboard and Luminate maintain format panels: lists of radio stations associated with a particular format. (Some stations appear on more than one panel). Radio plays and audience impressions from these stations inform Billboard Airplay charts.
Go to Data Sources in CONNECT to view the stations on each format panel. Create an Airplay Format Report to see activity at the format level.
All U.S. Airplay formats
Billboard and Luminate radio formats for the United States are listed alphabetically below.
Billboard formats correspond to official Airplay charts. Click the links to see those charts in CONNECT.
Luminate formats help provide a fuller picture of Airplay consumption. While we don’t generate charts for non-Billboard formats, they can still be applied as filters in MRS Reports or when viewing Airplay activity on Dashboards.
Adult Alternative / Triple A
Triple A / AAA = Adult Album Alternative.
Used for the Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay chart.
Adult Contemporary / AC
Used for the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Adult Hits (non-Billboard)*
Used for the Luminate Adult Hits format.
Adult Pop
Sometimes called Adult Top 40.
Used for the Billboard Adult Pop Airplay chart.
Adult R&B
Used for the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart.
Alternative
Used for the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.
Christian
Used for the Billboard Christian Airplay chart.
Christian AC
Used for the Billboard Christian AC Airplay chart.
Classic Hits (non-Billboard)*
Used for the Luminate Classic Hits format.
Classic Rock (non-Billboard)*
Used for the Luminate Classic Rock format.
Country
Used for the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
Dance
Used for the Billboard Dance Airplay chart.
Gospel
Used for the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart.
Hot 100 / Radio Songs
Used for the Billboard Radio Songs chart.
Also used as part of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Latin
Used for the Billboard Latin Airplay chart.
Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop
Used for the Billboard Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
Mainstream Rock
Used for the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
Pop / Top 40
Sometimes called Mainstream Top 40.
Used for the Billboard Pop Airplay chart.
R&B/Hip-Hop
Used for the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
Regional Mexican
Used for the Billboard Regional Mexican Airplay chart.
Rhythmic
Used for the Billboard Rhythmic Airplay chart.
Rock & Alternative
Used for the Billboard Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.
Smooth Jazz
Used for the Billboard Smooth Jazz Airplay chart.
*We do not generate Airplay charts for non-Billboard Airplay formats.
Luminate formats can be applied as filters in MRS Reports or via Data Controls.
More to know
Format panels (CA): Canada Airplay formats
Metro Radio/Streaming: Build Airplay reports
Activity Types: Tracking music consumption methods