FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

What is AirplayAccess?

AirplayAccess is the radio industry leading digital service providing music to radio stations. AirplayAccess is used by Major and Independent record labels, artists/bands as well as management and publishing companies. AirplayAccess provides a fast, effective and secure way of servicing your new music with radio programmers worldwide without incurring the costs of pressing CDs and postage/delivery. AirplayAccess provides a convenient way for radio programmers to access your promotional music so that you received maximum exposure. AirplayAccess provides high quality, broadcast-ready files directly to radio stations worldwide. This is a complimentary, invitation only service to radio programmers and there is no cost to radio stations, DJs, broadcasters, internet radio shows and syndicated radio shows.

Why does radio use AirplayAccess?

100% free for all radio stations. No fees for radio programmers, ever! Get new releases before your competition. Integrated within the music industry’s leading radio airplay charting source, STS, for easier access to music downloads and new releases. Radio access to National airplay charts to see which songs are most popular or gaining traction.

What’s The Difference Between Genres And Formats?

Make no mistake genre of music is not the same as a music format at radio. This is more than likely the biggest misnomer for a musician.

Think of it like this . Your grand mother bakes the most wonderful cinnamon apple pie, however no matter what you call it. .it’s still an apple pie. When it comes to music, artists love to use many genre driven words to describe their music (which is only great for a conversation). However, when it comes to the music industry, we only care about what “format” the music should be placed, promoted and marketed.

A format is derived from radio stations. Radio stations are the “heartbeat” within the music industry and it is a MUST that your music nicely fits within their playlist with other comparable artists/bands.

Remember one thing, as an artist you are only what your music is when it comes to radio. For example, you may say you are a hard rock artist like Metallica, however if you decide to put one of your ballads out to radio, you won’t be promoting this slow song to Hard Rock radio. More than likely you will focus your promotion and marketing to a format of radio whose market is ballads. This is ever more apparent with superstar Country artist Taylor Swift. When Taylor Swift first debuted her talents, the “average joe” had a hard time believing she was a Country artist and that was because she only had a couple “country” songs on the album. After she has a string of country “hits” Big Machine’s founder Scott Borchetta put his efforts in pushing Swift’s pop music to Top40/CHR (Current Hit Radio) radio. This sent Taylor Swift into the stratosphere with her music career as Top40 is the largest format of music with the most listeners worldwide.

In conclusion, a “genre” is a description of music style, whereas “format” is where the music will find a home at radio.

How will I know if radio gets music song?

Complete detailed data on how radio engages with your music. Know who has listened to your music before you make the call.

How long does it take for radio to get my music?

We proud ourselves with the #1 customer service. We offer lightning speed servicing of broadcast quality music within multiple genres of music to radio programmers worldwide. Your music release will be immediately available to radio programmers on the date you have chosen for your “Release Date” when submitting your song. Additionally, your radio announcement will be placed in our digital cue for distribution on online and social media. Spotify playlist placement takes 24-72 hours.

What is STS integration?

AirplayAccess is integrated within the leading radio airplay tracking source, STS, giving your music the exposure it deserves 24/7. Reporting radio stations are required to update/report their playlists weekly by Tuesday (12 noon PST). As a AirplayAccess customer, your music release will be integrated into the industry’s STS system for quick and easy access to radio programmers. Your song will also be encoded so that if your song charts, your song availability will be noted within the National/International charts in addition to the dedicated AirplayAccess Music Servicing section of STS.

How many announcements are sent to radio?

For one song/one format you receive one announcement which will be serviced to radio on your “Release Date” you selected when signing up with AirplayAccess. If you selected additional formats to service your song to, your additional radio announcements will be placed in our digital cue for servicing to radio. It is important to not bombard radio with information, but rather offer a stead stream of informative and help information about new releases.

How long will my music be available to radio programmers?

Your music will be available to radio programmers for a minimum of three months. You may renew your song availability at any time through your AirplayAccess account.

Do I get radio airplay tracking with my upload?

AirplayAccess is the leading service of digitally servicing music to the radio industry, we are not a airplay tracking service. If you are interested in the add-on service of radio airplay tracking, this may be purchased via the radio industry’s STS system here. It is very common to get radio airplay tracking from the promoter or label you are working with on your promotion/marketing. We recommend you contact them for this service before ordering.

Do I need CDs to send to radio?

No. AirplayAccess as the leader in digitally servicing music to radio programmers, this will save you $$$ from having to manufacture CDs to send to radio, as well as save you $$$ on mailing them to radio programmers.

What is my username and password?

Your username to log into the AirplayAccess website is sent to you via your registration email within the AirplayAccess system. Your password is provided in the original email you received along with your information.

I forgot my password, how do I retrieve it?

Simply enter your user name and click on the “forgot password” link. Your password will be emailed to you immediately.

Where can I find help with the AirplayAccess system?

You can get help by browsing our FAQ section. You may also contact us here or by calling customer support 615-323-2200 to speak to a live person Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PST).

I’m on a Mac. Can I use AirplayAccess?

You are able to use AirplayAccess on all browsers. AirplayAccess is programmed to work on all devices including PC, MAC, mobile devices and tablets.

Where can radio programmers download music files from the AirplayAccess system?

All radio stations, programmers, record pools and syndicators registered have password protected access to the Download Music library in addition to “Hot Downloads” available to all of the radio via the industry’s SpinsTrackingSystem(STS) radio charts as well as New Music Weekly magazine.

Will I get any media coverage with my new release?

AirplayAccess has partnered with the radio industry leading publication New Music Weekly magazine. There is a good chance you will grace the pages of NMW with your release, whether on the charts or mentions of the release within its editorials.

What is Spotify placement?

Spotify is a leader in music streaming used by millions around the globe. AirplayAccess is an established curator in Spotify with several differently formatted playlists. Your song will be included on at least one of our specialty playlists which broadcasts new music releases.

Who Uses NMW/STS?

NMW/STS is used by music industry professionals, publishing companies, songwriters, label executives artist, bands, managers and others subscriber to the weekly publication to get access to the most-up-to-date industry news. Programmers, artists/bands, A&R execs and records labels use the press release submission process to broadcast the information.

I am having trouble logging in, can you resend user name?

In case you have forgotten your password, click “Forgot Password” on the log in page and enter your username. You will be emailed a confirmation link. Please confirm that you wish to re-send your password. Passwords are sent to the designated person who signed up your account.

I’m a new customer, when will I receive login instructions?

Within 1 hour you will receive an email from AirplayAccess with your login information. If you don’t see your login information, please check your spam folder. “Whitelisting” our email address will also allow you to receive any emails from us.

I did not receive my AirplayAccess email. Why is this?

Whether you are a new member or have been a member for years, please be sure you add our domain “airplayaccess.com” to your “whitelist” with your internet service provider as well as your email address book. This will almost always solve the issue and insure email delivery.

Is my contact information included?

AirplayAccess radio announcements include all information you provided on the AirplayAccess Submission Form when signing up. If you do not want particular information to be included within your radio announcement, please do not fill in this information.

How can I submit multiple songs?

You may easily submit multiple songs. Your account is based on your Record Label name you provided. Simply use this Record Label name when submitting more music and your new order will be placed within that particular account.