AT40 on the Air

How did radio stations get AT40 on the air? During AT40's 1st year, the show was sent to radio stations on reel-to-reel tapes. After the 1st year, AT40 was recorded on vinyl. One side of a 33 1/3 rpm LP could hold a half hours worth of show. Thus, 4 records would be needed for each 4 hour show. On the records, there would be the show and promos for the show. Throughout most of the 1970s, no commercials came with the show. Later, when ABC Networks bought the company that produced AT40, network commercials were added to the records. The records would be placed in a box or record sleeve and mailed to a radio station. Each station received its own copy of the show. After the show was aired, the items were to be destroyed. Luckily, many radio personnel did not destroy the copies, and many exist for the collector today.

On July 1, 1989, AT40 was available on CD on the 1st time. AT40 sent a letter to radio stations about the change. Each show was 4 CDs in length, with each CD containing an hours' worth of content. Eventually, CDs replaced vinyl completely. When AT40 left American airwaves during mid-1994, other countries received CD's without network commercials.

In order for the show to play correctly on the air, DJs had to know the exact content and program length of the show. Included with each show was a set of cue sheets, which lists in detail each segment of the show and the playing time of each track. These sheets also indicated how much time the station had to play commercials in between each segment of the show. 

Radio station personnel also had to communicate back to AT40s owners and let them know that they did play the show. One way they could do this is by sending a proof-of-play affidavit. 

In 2004, AT40 was sent to radio stations via internet (FTP) download (as well as cds).

Timeline of Making an AT40 Show

In 1990, as part of AT40's 20th Anniversary, AT40 listed the weekly timeline of how the show was produced. Below is a condensed summary of the two page document:

Shows are taped "10 days in advance of its airing"

Ideas for the next show start on Friday.

The following Monday, staff review magazines and newspapers for articles that can be used for stories. Interviews are recorded, letters to AT40 are read, and AT40 affiliates are contacted for information to be used in station mentions. Flashbacks, medleys, etc are compiled.

On Tuesday, work continues to polish elements in the show.

On Wednesday, Billboard sends their chart over. The show is blocked and each hour is timed so that it is exactly 47 minutes and 40 seconds. Statistics are double and triple checked for accuracy. The script is typed.

On Thursday, Shadoe records the show, starting at 7 AM. While recording hour 2, Shadoe's hour 1 voice tracks are already being edited. After the voice tracks are edited, these are combined with the songs, etc to make the show. The show is transcribed and will be sent to international affiliates for translation.

Overnight Thursday into early Friday, the show's master tapes are sent to LP/CD manufacturers.

Disclaimer: The above information comes from: reading Billboard Magazine (though no specific articles are knowingly quoted], listening to AT40 shows, and personal communication with Mr. Rob Durkee. This information is posted for educational purposes only. For a thorough review of AT40 history, read "American Top 40: The Countdown of the Century" by Rob Durkee. The timeline of putting a show together comes from an original document from the creators of AT40.