(also triple-A, AAA, or adult alternative) is a radio format. A spinoff from the album-oriented rock format, its roots trace to the 1960s and 1970s from the earlier freeform and progressive formats.
“Triple A” radio has come a long way since its birth in 1990s. The programming format, short for “adult album alternative,” was created as to be just that: a different listening option for boomers tired of hit-obsessed commercial radio.
The stations were all a little different: Some played more folk and Americana, others leaned toward indie and pop, several featured programs showcasing local and independent artists. “We are the last bastion of true music discovery on FM radio,” says Mat Bates, Program Director at San Francisco’s KFOG, a commercial AAA station. Trina Tombrink, vice president of promotion and artist development at Sony’s RED music division, says she often used to hear AAA described as “crunchy.”
“The Birkenstock format, you know, the stoner format,” she says. “You could actually get a record played that wasn’t necessarily your traditional radio hit.”
WTMD 1 On Air
WTMD 2 HD-2
WFUV 1 On Air
WFUV 2 All Music
