Hot AC stations play Celine Dion, Smash Mouth, Brittney, and have a high-energy morning show that is great for lively guests; these stations attract listeners in their 20's and 30's, mostly women. Mainstream AC plays Celine Dion, Jim Brickman and Rod Stewart, and varies with what type of morning shows they do (it's on a case-by-case basis); they attract women in their 30's and 40's, and get lots of at-work listening. Soft AC stations play a lot of softer 70's and 80's music such as Elton John (including many love songs) but unfortunately it does not do much interviewing on its morning shows. Soft AC attracts men and women in their 30's, 40's and 50's. All AC stations are commercial.

Variety: These stations are almost all talk, and they are located in all size markets; they are unique in that they air mostly brokered (paid for) programs, meaning that each program is controlled by the host that buys the particular hour that his/her show airs in. The great thing about these stations/shows is that they are very big on interviews; the bad thing is that they are very small in size, and have less listeners than most other formats. These stations are also hard to identify, since they don't all call themselves the same name. Just listen for a lot of "The following is a paid program...", and you will probably have found one. Each host needs to be contacted individually for interviews.

Top 40: Everyone knows these stations: Brittney, N Sync, Eminem, Snoop, Rick Dees, etc. These stations have great morning shows for interviews. You'll have to be very energetic to get on these shows, and your topic will need to appeal to teens. Top 40 is also called "CHR" (Contemporary Hit Radio), and is divided into "pop" which does not play much hip hop, and "rhythmic" which does. Top 40 stations are difficult because they usually are the most competitive stations in a market. They sell the most records and have the most-active listeners, so all record labels, PR firms, and promo companies target them the most, making it tough for a new guest to be booked. All Top 40 stations are commercial.

Urban: These stations play most of your rap and hip hop. As you might guess, unless you appeal directly to the urban community, you won't be getting interviewed on their morning shows anytime soon. All urban stations are commercial.

Non-English: These are your Spanish and other language stations. They are not nearly as formatted at English stations, and they are always small (except in LA), so getting interviewed on them is relatively easy if your guest speaks their language. Don't confuse these stations with non-commercial "miscellaneous" stations; Commercial non-English stations are 24-hour formats, while non-commercial stations have a few non-English programs mixed with English programs.

Classical/Jazz: Although these stations reach a very upscale community, they do not do interviews with non-Classical or non-Jazz artists.

Kids: These are your Radio Disney stations, and they all simulcast the same program from the Dallas home office (meaning you cannot get on a local station at all). Getting on the main Radio Disney program is almost impossible for any guest, so it is best left alone for now.