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{{refimprove|date=December 2020}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2020}}
'''Rhythmic adult contemporary''', often abbreviated as '''rhythmic AC''' or '''RAC''', is an [[adult contemporary]] [[radio format]]. The format focuses primarily on [[rhythmic contemporary|rhythmic]] hits aimed towards an adult audience, often resembling a mixture of the [[classic hits]] and [[hot adult contemporary]] formats in practice. It typically focuses on genres such as [[disco]], classic [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]], [[dance pop]], and [[house music]] of the late 1980s/early 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2006/sep/12/cant-find-your-doo-wop-try-whoopi-in-mornings/|title=Can't find your doo-wop, try Whoopi in mornings|last=Buhler|first=Brendan|date=2006-09-12|website= Las Vegas Sun|language=en|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/19/magazine/how-hip-hop-is-becoming-the-oldies.html|title=How Hip-Hop Is Becoming the Oldies|last=French|first=Alex|date=2015-07-17|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-04-29|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/ross/174816/intriguing-stations-of-2018/|title=Intriguing Stations of 2018|date=2019-02-28|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/86907/i101-chicago-shifts-to-rhythmic-hot-ac/|title=I101 Chicago Shifts To Rhythmic Hot AC|date=2013-12-09|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.edisonresearch.com/rhythmic_ac_in_1/|title=Rhythmic AC: In Search Of The Funky Cold Medina|last=Ross|first=Sean|date=2006-08-24|website=Edison Research|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref>
'''Rhythmic adult contemporary''', often abbreviated as '''rhythmic AC''' or '''RAC''', is an [[adult contemporary]] [[radio format]]. The format focuses primarily on [[rhythmic contemporary|rhythmic]] hits aimed towards an adult audience, often resembling a mixture of the [[classic hits]] and [[hot adult contemporary]] formats in practice. It typically focuses on genres such as [[disco]], classic [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]], [[dance pop]], and [[house music]] of the late 1980s/early 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2006/sep/12/cant-find-your-doo-wop-try-whoopi-in-mornings/|title=Can't find your doo-wop, try Whoopi in mornings|last=Buhler|first=Brendan|date=2006-09-12|website= Las Vegas Sun|language=en|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/19/magazine/how-hip-hop-is-becoming-the-oldies.html|title=How Hip-Hop Is Becoming the Oldies|last=French|first=Alex|date=2015-07-17|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-04-29|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/ross/174816/intriguing-stations-of-2018/|title=Intriguing Stations of 2018|date=2019-02-28|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/86907/i101-chicago-shifts-to-rhythmic-hot-ac/|title=I101 Chicago Shifts To Rhythmic Hot AC|date=2013-12-09|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.edisonresearch.com/rhythmic_ac_in_1/|title=Rhythmic AC: In Search Of The Funky Cold Medina|last=Ross|first=Sean|date=2006-08-24|website=Edison Research|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref>


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The first station to try this approach was [[WKKV|WHBT]]/[[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], which lasted from 1986 to 1987, although it was more Hot AC in nature. But eight years later in 1996, another Milwaukee outlet, [[WXSS|WAMG]], "Magic 103.7", would be the first to pioneer the "Official" rhythmic AC format, calling itself "Rhythm & Romance" which featured Mid-tempo Rhythmic R&B/Pop tracks (ironically, Milwaukee would once again pick up a Rhythmic AC for the third time in December 2014, when [[WZTI]] filled the void after an eighteen-year gap, although that station leaned towards [[rhythmic oldies]]; it returned to a [[True Oldies Channel]]-led oldies format in August 2015).
The first station to try this approach was [[WKKV|WHBT]]/[[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], which lasted from 1986 to 1987, although it was more Hot AC in nature. But eight years later in 1996, another Milwaukee outlet, [[WXSS|WAMG]], "Magic 103.7", would be the first to pioneer the "Official" rhythmic AC format, calling itself "Rhythm & Romance" which featured Mid-tempo Rhythmic R&B/Pop tracks (ironically, Milwaukee would once again pick up a Rhythmic AC for the third time in December 2014, when [[WZTI]] filled the void after an eighteen-year gap, although that station leaned towards [[rhythmic oldies]]; it returned to a [[True Oldies Channel]]-led oldies format in August 2015).


In February 1996, [[WKTU|WYNY]] in [[New York City]] flipped to the format under the name "103-5 The New KTU", utilizing a "Rhythmic Hot AC" approach with Dance-Pop tracks added to the mix. The station instantly skyrocketed to #1 in the New York City Arbitron ratings in the next book. Because of this, other stations, like [[KBKS-FM|KBKS]]/[[Seattle]], [[WDRQ]]/[[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]] (which likewise referred to itself as "93-1 The New DRQ") and [[KKLQ (FM)|KIBB]]/[[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] flipped to the format. While WDRQ was a moderate ratings success (the station's true ratings boom came after it evolved into a rhythmic-oriented Contemporary Hit format by 1999), KBKS and KIBB were less successful, resulting in KBKS flipping to Top 40/CHR in May 1997, and KIBB flipped to a format they pioneered: "[[rhythmic oldies]]", in November 1997.
In February 1996, [[WKTU|WYNY]] in [[New York City]] flipped to the format under the name "103-5 The New KTU", utilizing a "Rhythmic Hot AC" approach with dance-pop tracks added to the mix. The station instantly skyrocketed to #1 in the New York City Arbitron ratings in the next book. Because of this, other stations, like [[KBKS-FM|KBKS]]/[[Seattle]], [[WUFL (FM)|WDRQ]]/[[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]] (which likewise referred to itself as "93-1 The New DRQ") and [[KKLQ (FM)|KIBB]]/[[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] flipped to the format. While WDRQ was a moderate ratings success (the station's true ratings boom came after it evolved into a rhythmic-oriented Contemporary Hit format by 1999), KBKS and KIBB were less successful, resulting in KBKS flipping to Top 40/CHR in May 1997, and KIBB flipped to a format they pioneered: "[[rhythmic oldies]]", in November 1997.


Beginning in 2006, there was a trend of several stations in the United States switching to the rhythmic AC format using the brand [[Movin' (brand)|''Movin'']], which debuted on [[Seattle]] station [[KQMV]] in May of that year. [[iHeartMedia|Clear Channel Communications]] also enjoyed a fair amount of success with Rhythmic AC during this time period, using the continued success of WKTU as its basis for several of its stations, including [[WLLZ (FM)|WDTW-FM]] Detroit, [[WMIA-FM|WMIA]] Miami, and [[WISX]] Philadelphia. This boom screeched to a halt by the early 2010s, with many of the stations evolving into Mainstream or Rhythmic Top 40 (like KQMV or [[KMVQ]] San Francisco), or flipping to other formats, in part due to declining ratings and trying to adapt currents into this niche genre. As of July 2016, only a handful of "Movin'" branded stations remain with a Rhythmic AC format (see list below).
Beginning in 2006, there was a trend of several stations in the United States switching to the rhythmic AC format using the brand [[Movin' (brand)|''Movin'']], which debuted on [[Seattle]] station [[KQMV]] in May of that year. [[iHeartMedia|Clear Channel Communications]] also enjoyed a fair amount of success with Rhythmic AC during this time period, using the continued success of WKTU as its basis for several of its stations, including [[WLLZ (FM)|WDTW-FM]] Detroit, [[WMIA-FM|WMIA]] Miami, and [[WUMR (FM)|WISX]] Philadelphia. This boom screeched to a halt by the early 2010s, with many of the stations evolving into Mainstream or Rhythmic Top 40 (like KQMV or [[KMVQ]] San Francisco), or flipping to other formats, in part due to declining ratings and trying to adapt currents into this niche genre. As of July 2016, only a handful of "Movin'" branded stations remain with a Rhythmic AC format (see list below).


Rhythmic AC came to Canada in 1999, when French-language [[CFGL-FM]] in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]] made its debut as "[[Rythme FM]]" name. However, the Rythme FM network is now adult contemporary. During the mid-2000s, when the format started to gain popularity, many [[hot adult contemporary]] stations in Canada started to follow a Rhythmic AC approach, but still remain Hot AC because of pop-rock content still being played. This was first pioneered by [[CHUM-FM]] in [[Toronto]], who had a significant ratings success after starting to lean rhythmic. This approach has worked well in Montreal, where [[CKBE-FM|CKBE]] has had more success with the Rhythmic Hot AC format since its shift from AC in 2011. Unlike CHUM-FM, the currents on CKBE's playlist are more Dance and Rhythmic leaning.
Rhythmic AC came to Canada in 1999, when French-language [[CFGL-FM]] in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]] made its debut as "[[Rythme FM]]" name. However, the Rythme FM network is now adult contemporary. During the mid-2000s, when the format started to gain popularity, many [[hot adult contemporary]] stations in Canada started to follow a Rhythmic AC approach, but still remain Hot AC because of pop-rock content still being played. This was first pioneered by [[CHUM-FM]] in [[Toronto]], who had a significant ratings success after starting to lean rhythmic. This approach has worked well in Montreal, where [[CKBE-FM|CKBE]] has had more success with the Rhythmic Hot AC format since its shift from AC in 2011. Unlike CHUM-FM, the currents on CKBE's playlist are more Dance and Rhythmic leaning.
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By 2013, the Rhythmic AC format began to make a comeback in certain markets. In January of that year, former [[news/talk]] outlet [[WBQT (FM)|WTKK]] in [[Boston]] flipped to the format. The station's ratings, which were low, have significantly improved to compete effectively with [[Rhythmic Top 40]] [[WJMN (FM)|WJMN]]. The station's playlist, initially, had a balance of dance-pop tracks and rhythmic classics, as well as current rhythmic/pop material, but by July 2013, the playlist has shifted to a more urban lean. This revival success story of the format spawned a few similar stations later that year, including [[KHTP]] in [[Seattle]], [[KSSX]] in [[San Diego]] and [[KRBQ]] in [[San Francisco]], as well as (for a short time) [[WKQX (FM)|WIQI]] in [[Chicago]]. KHTP and KRBQ have since shifted in a more Classic Hip-Hop direction, positioning themselves as all-"Throwback" stations, while KSSX flipped to Mainstream Urban in May 2016. The Rhythmic AC renaissance has been particularly felt in the state of Florida: in March 2016, [[WMIA-FM]] in Miami, which had switched from Rhythmic AC to Hot AC in August 2014, returned to Rhythmic AC with the slogan "Rhythm from the '80s to Now," and four months later, [[WYKB|WJSJ]] in Jacksonville adopted a "Classic Dance" approach. And in Canada, former Urban outlet [[CFXJ-FM]] Toronto went Rhythmic AC as "93.5 The Move" in February 2016.
By 2013, the Rhythmic AC format began to make a comeback in certain markets. In January of that year, former [[news/talk]] outlet [[WBQT (FM)|WTKK]] in [[Boston]] flipped to the format. The station's ratings, which were low, have significantly improved to compete effectively with [[Rhythmic Top 40]] [[WJMN (FM)|WJMN]]. The station's playlist, initially, had a balance of dance-pop tracks and rhythmic classics, as well as current rhythmic/pop material, but by July 2013, the playlist has shifted to a more urban lean. This revival success story of the format spawned a few similar stations later that year, including [[KHTP]] in [[Seattle]], [[KSSX]] in [[San Diego]] and [[KRBQ]] in [[San Francisco]], as well as (for a short time) [[WKQX (FM)|WIQI]] in [[Chicago]]. KHTP and KRBQ have since shifted in a more Classic Hip-Hop direction, positioning themselves as all-"Throwback" stations, while KSSX flipped to Mainstream Urban in May 2016. The Rhythmic AC renaissance has been particularly felt in the state of Florida: in March 2016, [[WMIA-FM]] in Miami, which had switched from Rhythmic AC to Hot AC in August 2014, returned to Rhythmic AC with the slogan "Rhythm from the '80s to Now," and four months later, [[WYKB|WJSJ]] in Jacksonville adopted a "Classic Dance" approach. And in Canada, former Urban outlet [[CFXJ-FM]] Toronto went Rhythmic AC as "93.5 The Move" in February 2016.


In January 2015, [[KKGQ]]/[[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]] was relaunched with the same Rhythmic AC presentation that was previously offered by its successor KMXW from 2004 to 2007, except this time around, it was more focused on current Rhythmic and Mainstream Pop hits and recurrents from the 1990s and 2000s (KMXW's presentation had an emphasis on 1970s and 1980s product). (That station would completely shift towards [[Hot AC]] by October 2015, with most of the Rhythmic material being moved to evening hours.) Also in 2015, [[KJHM-FM|KJHM]] in [[Denver]] shifted to the format after spending its first 5 years with [[rhythmic oldies]], marking the second station with the format in the market, the first being [[KPTT]] from 2006 to 2009.
In January 2015, [[KKGQ]]/[[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]] was relaunched with the same Rhythmic AC presentation that was previously offered by its successor KMXW from 2004 to 2007, except this time around, it was more focused on current Rhythmic and Mainstream Pop hits and recurrents from the 1990s and 2000s (KMXW's presentation had an emphasis on 1970s and 1980s product). (That station would completely shift towards [[Hot AC]] by October 2015, with most of the Rhythmic material being moved to evening hours.) Also in 2015, [[KJHM-FM|KJHM]] in [[Denver]] shifted to the format after spending its first 5 years with [[rhythmic oldies]], marking the second station with the format in the market, the first being [[KDHT (FM)|KPTT]] from 2006 to 2009.


In the 2020s, a resurgence of the rhythmic hot AC format occurred. This format combines the currents and recurrents of CHR stations with hot AC-like rotations, and a deep gold library that includes classic hip hop and dance/pop throwbacks dating back to the mid-1990s. [[WBBM-FM]]/[[Chicago]], [[KMVA]]/[[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] and [[WFLC]]/[[Miami]] flipped to the format in 2022 and 2023.
⚫
The new crop of Rhythmic AC stations varies by market as to how much hip-hop and R&B product are included in the music mix. Whereas the aforementioned KHTP and KRBQ have repositioned themselves as all-"Throwback" stations specializing in Classic Hip-Hop, WKTU, WMOV in Norfolk and [[WFLC]] Miami lean toward pop and dance, with the latter two continuing to incorporate "throwbacks" from as far back as the disco era of the 1970s.

⚫
Today, stations in the Rhythmic AC format vary widely by market as to how much hip-hop and R&B product are included in the music mix, and how current-intensive they are. Whereas the aforementioned KHTP and KRBQ have repositioned themselves as all-"Throwback" stations specializing in Classic Hip-Hop, WKTU, WMOV and other rhythmic hot ACs leaning heavily toward more modern pop and dance music.


== List of recording artists whose records are played on rhythmic AC radio stations ==
== List of recording artists whose records are played on rhythmic AC radio stations ==
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== List of radio stations using this format ==
== List of radio stations using this format ==


===United States===
===United States (Rhythmic hot AC)===
*[[WKTU]] - [[Lake Success, New York]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
*[[WKTU]] - [[New York City|New York, New York]] (leans pop/dance)
*[[KPWR]] - [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]] (leans urban)
⚫
*[[WSTR (FM)|WSTR]] – [[Atlanta, Georgia]]
*[[XHRM]] - [[Tijuana]] (technically "[[Rhythmic Oldies]]", but leans Rhythmic AC)
*[[WBBM-FM]] - [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]] (leans pop/dance)
*[[KXQQ-FM]] - [[Henderson, Nevada]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
*[[WBQT (FM)|WBQT]] - [[Boston|Boston, Massachusetts]] (leans urban)
*[[KUMU-FM]] - [[Honolulu]] ("Rhythmic AC", but leans "Rhythmic Oldies")
*[[WFLC]] - [[Miami|Miami, Florida]] (leans pop/dance)
*[[KUBT|KUBT-HD2]] - Honolulu (leans towards classic hip hop)
*[[KMVA]] - [[Phoenix, Arizona]] (leans pop/dance)
*[[KMVN]] - [[Anchorage, Alaska]]
*[[KXJM]] - [[Portland, Oregon]] (leans urban)
*[[KOCN]] - [[Pacific Grove, California]]
*[[KUUU]] - [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]] (leans urban)
*[[KFBT]] - [[Hanford, California]]
*[[WMOV-FM]] - [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]] (leans pop/dance)
*[[WJYY]] - [[Manchester, New Hampshire]] (leans urban)
⚫
*[[WBEN-FM|WBEN-HD2]] - [[Philadelphia]] (HD2 subcarrier of [[WBEN-FM]])
*[[KJXX]] - [[Cape Girardeau, Missouri]]
*[[WHQC]] - [[Charlotte, North Carolina]] (leans pop/dance)
*[[WPTY]] - [[Long Island, New York]] (leans pop/dance)
*[[KGSR]] - [[Cedar Park, Texas]] (leans urban)

===United States (Rhythmic AC)===
*[[KTWV]] - [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]]
⚫
*[[WSTR (FM)|WSTR]] – [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]]
⚫
*[[KAJM]] - [[Phoenix, Arizona]]
*[[KXQQ-FM]] - [[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]]
*[[KUMU-FM]] - [[Honolulu|Honolulu, Hawaii]] (leans towards [[rhythmic oldies]])
*[[KOMA (FM)|KOMA-HD3]] - [[Oklahoma City|Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]] (leans towards classic hip hop)
⚫
*[[WBEN-FM|WBEN-HD2]] - [[Philadelphia|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] (HD2 subcarrier of [[WBEN-FM]])
*[[KZLJ-LP]] - [[La Junta, Colorado]]
*[[KZLJ-LP]] - [[La Junta, Colorado]]
*[[KLBU]] - [[Santa Fe, New Mexico]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
*[[KJHM-FM]] - [[Denver|Denver, Colorado]] (Rhythmic oldies-Leaning)
*[[WKZF]] - [[Morton, Illinois]] ("Retro Hits"; leans towards Rhythmic pop recurrents)
*[[WKZF]] - [[Peoria, Illinois]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[KXJM]] - [[Banks, Oregon]] (CHR-Rhythmic) leans towards Rhythmic AC.
*[[WQTX]] - [[Lansing, Michigan]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[KUUU]] - [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]] (leans towards classic hip hop)
*Dance Show With MJR [[KVFX]] [[Logan, Utah]] [Saturdays at 10PM MST], [102.7 in [[New Hampshire]]] [Mixcloud] [www.mixcloud.com/michaeljohn-roach]
*[[WFLC]] - [[Miami, Florida]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
*[[KTGV]] - [[Tucson, Arizona]] (leans towards rhythmic oldies)
*[[WQTX]] - [[St. Johns, Michigan]] ("Rhythmic AC"; leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[WQKI-FM]] - [[Orangeburg, South Carolina]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[KJXX]] - [[Jackson, Missouri]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
*[[WSIM|WSIM-HD2]] - [[Florence, South Carolina]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[WCBF (FM)|WCBF-HD3]] - [[Elmira, New York]] (leans towards classic hip hop)
*[[KMVA]]/[[KZON]] - [[Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona]]/[[Gilbert, Arizona]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")

===United States (Rhythmic adult hits)===
*[[KZFS]] - [[Spokane, Washington]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[W237BZ|WDCG-HD2]] - [[Raleigh, North Carolina]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[K242CE|WRNO-HD2]] - [[New Orleans|New Orleans, Louisiana]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[WMIB|WMIB-HD3]] - [[Miami|Miami, Florida]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[KFBT]] - [[Fresno, California]] (leans towards classic hip hop)
*[[KHYL]] - [[Sacramento, California]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[WZCB|WZCB-HD2]] - [[Columbus, Ohio]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[WZZR|WZZR-HD2]] - [[West Palm Beach, Florida]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[KQOD]] - [[Stockton, California]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[KABQ-FM]] - [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[KPRR|KPRR-HD2]] - [[El Paso, Texas]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[KUBT|KUBT-HD2]] - Honolulu, Hawaii (leans towards classic hip hop)
*[[KOCN]] - [[Oxnard, California]] (leans towards rhythmic oldies)
*[[KJMP]] - [[Fort Collins, Colorado]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[WJMP (AM)|WJMP]] - [[Burlington, Vermont]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[WMGC-FM]] - [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[WUKS]] - [[Fayetteville, North Carolina]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[WXKB|WXKB-HD2]] - [[Fort Myers, Florida]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)
*[[WCHZ-FM]] - [[Augusta, Georgia]] (leans towards classic hip-hop)

===Mexico===
*[[XHRM]] - [[Tijuana|Tijuana, Baja California]] (technically "[[Rhythmic Oldies]]", but leans Rhythmic AC)


===Canada===
===Canada===
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*[[WMIA-FM|WMIA]] - [[Miami Beach, Florida]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
*[[WMIA-FM|WMIA]] - [[Miami Beach, Florida]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
*[[WNEW-FM]] - [[New York City]]
*[[WNEW-FM]] - [[New York City]]
⚫
*[[WMOV-FM]] - [[Norfolk, Virginia]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
*[[WMUV]] - [[Brunswick, Georgia]]
*[[WMUV]] - [[Brunswick, Georgia]]
*[[WYKB|WZDJ]] - [[Fernandina Beach, Florida]] (Originally a hybrid of Rhythmic AC and Dance Classics, only to evolve to Dance-leaning Rhythmic Top 40)
*[[WYKB|WZDJ]] - [[Fernandina Beach, Florida]] (Originally a hybrid of Rhythmic AC and Dance Classics, only to evolve to Dance-leaning Rhythmic Top 40)
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*[[WBZY|WWVA-FM]] - [[Canton, Georgia]]
*[[WBZY|WWVA-FM]] - [[Canton, Georgia]]
*[[WLLZ (FM)|WDTW-FM]] - [[Detroit, Michigan]]
*[[WLLZ (FM)|WDTW-FM]] - [[Detroit, Michigan]]
*[[WDRQ]] - Detroit, Michigan
*[[WUFL (FM)|WDRQ]] - Detroit, Michigan
*[[WDZH|WDZH-HD3]] - Detroit, Michigan (leans towards classic Hip-Hop/R&B)
*[[WDZH|WDZH-HD3]] - Detroit, Michigan (leans towards classic Hip-Hop/R&B)]
⚫
*[[KMVA]] - [[Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona]]
*[[KYOT|KYOT-FM]] - [[Phoenix, Arizona]]
*[[KYOT|KYOT-FM]] - [[Phoenix, Arizona]]
*[[WPTY]] - [[Long Island, New York]]
*[[WPTY]] - [[Long Island, New York]]
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*[[KDEY-FM]] - [[Ontario, California]]
*[[KDEY-FM]] - [[Ontario, California]]
*[[KPHT]] - [[Rocky Ford, Colorado]]
*[[KPHT]] - [[Rocky Ford, Colorado]]
*[[KPTT]] - [[Denver, Colorado]]
*[[KDHT (FM)|KPTT]] - [[Denver, Colorado]]
*[[KJHM-FM]] - [[Watkins, Colorado]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC") (has since shifted back to Rhythmic Oldies)
*[[WBQT (FM)|WBQT]] - [[Boston]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
*[[WBQT (FM)|WBQT]] - [[Boston]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
*[[WEEI-FM|WQSX]] - [[Boston]]
*[[WEEI-FM|WQSX]] - [[Boston]]
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*[[KYMV]] - [[Woodruff, Utah]]
*[[KYMV]] - [[Woodruff, Utah]]
*[[KYKA]] - [[Meadow Lakes, Alaska]]
*[[KYKA]] - [[Meadow Lakes, Alaska]]
*[[WLFP|WSNA]] - [[Germantown, Tennessee]]
*[[WMLE|WSNA]] - [[Germantown, Tennessee]]
*[[KTFM]] - [[Floresville, Texas]]
*[[KTFM]] - [[Floresville, Texas]]
*[[KFMK]] - [[Round Rock, Texas]]
*[[KFMK]] - [[Round Rock, Texas]]
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*[[WRGV]] - [[Pensacola, Florida]]
*[[WRGV]] - [[Pensacola, Florida]]
*[[KDDB|KDEO-FM]] - [[Waipahu, Hawaii]]
*[[KDDB|KDEO-FM]] - [[Waipahu, Hawaii]]
*[[KHKA]] - [[Honolulu, Hawaii
*[[KHKA]] - [[Honolulu, Hawaii]]
*[[KUBT|KHJZ]]/[[K256AS]] - Honolulu, Hawaii
*[[KUBT|KHJZ]]/[[K256AS]] - [[Honolulu, Hawaii]]
*[[KQTM|KQBT]] - [[Rio Rancho, New Mexico]]
*[[KQTM|KQBT]] - [[Rio Rancho, New Mexico]]
*[[KKGQ|KMXW]] - [[Newton, Kansas]] (2004-2007; returned to format in 2015 as KKGQ)
*[[KKGQ|KMXW]] - [[Newton, Kansas]] (2004-2007; returned to format in 2015 as KKGQ)
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*[[CFXJ-FM]] - [[Toronto]]
*[[CFXJ-FM]] - [[Toronto]]
*[[KQFX (FM)|KQFX]] - [[Borger, Texas]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
*[[KQFX (FM)|KQFX]] - [[Borger, Texas]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
*[[WZWK-LP]] - [[Greenville, South Carolina]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
*[[WRTH-LP|WZWK-LP]] - [[Greenville, South Carolina]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
*[[WISX]] - [[Philadelphia]] (leans towards classic hip hop/R&B, previously aired the format from 2006-2010)
*[[WUMR (FM)|WISX]] - [[Philadelphia]] (leans towards classic hip hop/R&B, previously aired the format from 2006 to 2010)
*[[KRBQ]] - [[San Francisco]]
⚫
*[[Pete Waterman Entertainment|PWL Radio]] — London, United Kingdom (online only, 2004-2006)
⚫
*[[KLBU]] - [[Santa Fe, New Mexico]] ("Rhythmic Hot AC")
⚫
*[[Pete Waterman Entertainment|PWL Radio]] — London, United Kingdom (online only, 2004–2006)


== See also - related formats ==
== See also - related formats ==
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==References==
==References==
{{Pop music}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


Latest revision as of 09:57, 26 November 2024

Rhythmic adult contemporary, often abbreviated as rhythmic AC or RAC, is an adult contemporary radio format. The format focuses primarily on rhythmic hits aimed towards an adult audience, often resembling a mixture of the classic hits and hot adult contemporary formats in practice. It typically focuses on genres such as disco, classic hip-hop, dance pop, and house music of the late 1980s/early 1990s.[1][2][3][4][5]

Format history

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The first station to try this approach was WHBT/Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which lasted from 1986 to 1987, although it was more Hot AC in nature. But eight years later in 1996, another Milwaukee outlet, WAMG, "Magic 103.7", would be the first to pioneer the "Official" rhythmic AC format, calling itself "Rhythm & Romance" which featured Mid-tempo Rhythmic R&B/Pop tracks (ironically, Milwaukee would once again pick up a Rhythmic AC for the third time in December 2014, when WZTI filled the void after an eighteen-year gap, although that station leaned towards rhythmic oldies; it returned to a True Oldies Channel-led oldies format in August 2015).

In February 1996, WYNY in New York City flipped to the format under the name "103-5 The New KTU", utilizing a "Rhythmic Hot AC" approach with dance-pop tracks added to the mix. The station instantly skyrocketed to #1 in the New York City Arbitron ratings in the next book. Because of this, other stations, like KBKS/Seattle, WDRQ/Detroit (which likewise referred to itself as "93-1 The New DRQ") and KIBB/Los Angeles flipped to the format. While WDRQ was a moderate ratings success (the station's true ratings boom came after it evolved into a rhythmic-oriented Contemporary Hit format by 1999), KBKS and KIBB were less successful, resulting in KBKS flipping to Top 40/CHR in May 1997, and KIBB flipped to a format they pioneered: "rhythmic oldies", in November 1997.

Beginning in 2006, there was a trend of several stations in the United States switching to the rhythmic AC format using the brand Movin, which debuted on Seattle station KQMV in May of that year. Clear Channel Communications also enjoyed a fair amount of success with Rhythmic AC during this time period, using the continued success of WKTU as its basis for several of its stations, including WDTW-FM Detroit, WMIA Miami, and WISX Philadelphia. This boom screeched to a halt by the early 2010s, with many of the stations evolving into Mainstream or Rhythmic Top 40 (like KQMV or KMVQ San Francisco), or flipping to other formats, in part due to declining ratings and trying to adapt currents into this niche genre. As of July 2016, only a handful of "Movin'" branded stations remain with a Rhythmic AC format (see list below).

Rhythmic AC came to Canada in 1999, when French-language CFGL-FM in Montreal, Quebec made its debut as "Rythme FM" name. However, the Rythme FM network is now adult contemporary. During the mid-2000s, when the format started to gain popularity, many hot adult contemporary stations in Canada started to follow a Rhythmic AC approach, but still remain Hot AC because of pop-rock content still being played. This was first pioneered by CHUM-FM in Toronto, who had a significant ratings success after starting to lean rhythmic. This approach has worked well in Montreal, where CKBE has had more success with the Rhythmic Hot AC format since its shift from AC in 2011. Unlike CHUM-FM, the currents on CKBE's playlist are more Dance and Rhythmic leaning.

By 2013, the Rhythmic AC format began to make a comeback in certain markets. In January of that year, former news/talk outlet WTKK in Boston flipped to the format. The station's ratings, which were low, have significantly improved to compete effectively with Rhythmic Top 40 WJMN. The station's playlist, initially, had a balance of dance-pop tracks and rhythmic classics, as well as current rhythmic/pop material, but by July 2013, the playlist has shifted to a more urban lean. This revival success story of the format spawned a few similar stations later that year, including KHTP in Seattle, KSSX in San Diego and KRBQ in San Francisco, as well as (for a short time) WIQI in Chicago. KHTP and KRBQ have since shifted in a more Classic Hip-Hop direction, positioning themselves as all-"Throwback" stations, while KSSX flipped to Mainstream Urban in May 2016. The Rhythmic AC renaissance has been particularly felt in the state of Florida: in March 2016, WMIA-FM in Miami, which had switched from Rhythmic AC to Hot AC in August 2014, returned to Rhythmic AC with the slogan "Rhythm from the '80s to Now," and four months later, WJSJ in Jacksonville adopted a "Classic Dance" approach. And in Canada, former Urban outlet CFXJ-FM Toronto went Rhythmic AC as "93.5 The Move" in February 2016.

In January 2015, KKGQ/Wichita was relaunched with the same Rhythmic AC presentation that was previously offered by its successor KMXW from 2004 to 2007, except this time around, it was more focused on current Rhythmic and Mainstream Pop hits and recurrents from the 1990s and 2000s (KMXW's presentation had an emphasis on 1970s and 1980s product). (That station would completely shift towards Hot AC by October 2015, with most of the Rhythmic material being moved to evening hours.) Also in 2015, KJHM in Denver shifted to the format after spending its first 5 years with rhythmic oldies, marking the second station with the format in the market, the first being KPTT from 2006 to 2009.

In the 2020s, a resurgence of the rhythmic hot AC format occurred. This format combines the currents and recurrents of CHR stations with hot AC-like rotations, and a deep gold library that includes classic hip hop and dance/pop throwbacks dating back to the mid-1990s. WBBM-FM/Chicago, KMVA/Phoenix and WFLC/Miami flipped to the format in 2022 and 2023.

Today, stations in the Rhythmic AC format vary widely by market as to how much hip-hop and R&B product are included in the music mix, and how current-intensive they are. Whereas the aforementioned KHTP and KRBQ have repositioned themselves as all-"Throwback" stations specializing in Classic Hip-Hop, WKTU, WMOV and other rhythmic hot ACs leaning heavily toward more modern pop and dance music.

List of recording artists whose records are played on rhythmic AC radio stations

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List of radio stations using this format

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United States (Rhythmic hot AC)

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United States (Rhythmic AC)

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United States (Rhythmic adult hits)

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Mexico

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Canada

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Internet stations

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Former stations that used this format

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See also - related formats

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References

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  1. ^ Buhler, Brendan (2006-09-12). "Can't find your doo-wop, try Whoopi in mornings". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2019-04-29.
  2. ^ French, Alex (2015-07-17). "How Hip-Hop Is Becoming the Oldies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-04-29.
  3. ^ "Intriguing Stations of 2018". RadioInsight. 2019-02-28. Retrieved 2019-04-29.
  4. ^ "I101 Chicago Shifts To Rhythmic Hot AC". RadioInsight. 2013-12-09. Retrieved 2019-04-29.
  5. ^ Ross, Sean (2006-08-24). "Rhythmic AC: In Search Of The Funky Cold Medina". Edison Research. Retrieved 2019-04-29.
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