How to Use Airplay Charts For Playlisting Like a Pro
Airplay charts are one of the most powerful tools a music programmer has – but only if you know how to read them properly. If you’re treating them like a copy-and-paste playlist, you’re missing the point.
Here’s how to use airplay charts like a pro – not just to follow trends, but to understand them.
Use Multiple Charts, Not Just One
Your playlist shouldn’t be dictated by a single chart. The most effective programmers cross-reference several sources to get a full picture.
Some of the best places to start:
- Billboard Airplay Chart (US)
- UK Airplay Chart – with breakdowns by station
- Spotify Charts – for real-time global and country-level trends
- Country-specific iTunes charts
The Billboard Chart is especially useful – even outside the US – because of its scale. It shows what’s really working with the masses.
Know What to Look For
Reading charts isn’t just about the Top 10. You should also be watching for:
- Songs that are holding strong week after week
- New entries that land high straight away
- Burnt-out tracks that are sliding
- Potential sleepers you may have skipped but are gaining traction
This gives you a sense of what’s resonating widely – and whether your instincts were right or need rechecking.
Charts Are Just One Signal
The biggest mistake in learning how to read airplay charts is thinking they’re the only metric that matters. They’re a tool, not the rule.
Great programmers weigh charts alongside:
- TikTok and Instagram reel trends
- Spotify/Apple Music data
- Listener feedback
- Personal gut instinct
There’s no shame in skipping a track that looks like a hit but doesn’t fit your station. Equally, there’s no harm in adding something late if you realise it’s working elsewhere.
You’re not trying to be first. You’re trying to be right for your brand.
Don’t Let the Charts Dictate Your Sound
Charts move fast – sometimes too fast. Viral hits blow up and fizzle out in a matter of days. If you let the charts control your playlist, your station will sound chaotic and inconsistent.
Avoid these common pitfalls:
- Adding and dropping songs too quickly just to match weekly movements
- Blindly copying your larger competitor’s playlist
- Chasing trends that don’t fit your audience or format
Remember: if your playlist is a carbon copy of a station with a bigger budget, brand, and team – you’re not competing, you’re imitating.
Trust Yourself (and the Data)
Airplay charts are there to inform your decisions, not make them. Use them to sense patterns, track momentum, and sanity-check your choices – but don’t let them override your programming instinct.
You will miss hits. You’ll add duds. Every programmer does. But using charts smartly can help you stay one step ahead – and one step sharper.
