Recent years have seen a further blurring of the line between Adult and Mainstream Top 40. Hip-Hop is not only no longer a clear line of demarcation, it’s not always a stopper for a Mainstream AC station (as demonstrated by the Black Eyed Peas). Many Mainstream Top 40 stations now easily draw the 25-44 numbers that they used to chase with disastrous consequences in the early-to-mid-‘90s. And at a time when Mainstream Top 40s can play Michael Buble and Train, while Adult Top 40s can play “Rude Boy” and “Love The Way You Lie,” the distinction between certain Adult and Mainstream Top 40 reporters is more blurred than ever.

This week, Radio-Info.com debuts its new “25+” newsletter — offering an exchange of ideas for AC, Adult Top 40, and Mainstream Top 40 stations with an adult mission. Concurrently, 25+ is teaming with Mediaguide to unveil the “25+ Hits” chart. We've taken stations from both the Adult and Mainstream Top 40 charts to give the first definitive look at programming today’s hit music for an adult audience. The new chart recognizes the influence and success of aggressive Adult Top 40 reporters such as WKRQ (Q102) Cincinnati and WWMX (Mix 106.5) Baltimore. And for the first time in several years, like-minded stations like WSTW Wilmington, Del., and WPST Trenton, N.J., are found on the same chart.

The “25+ Hits” chart is based on data from Mediaguide—a leading provider of monitored airplay information to the media, advertising and entertainment industries. Mediaguide will also provide the AC and Hot AC/Adult Top 40 chart for the weekly “25+” e-mail newsletter. The Mediaguide charts are overseen by Mediaguide EVP, music Joe Wallace, who can be reached at (610) 578-0800 ext. 121.

The goal of the “25+ Hits” chart is to provide a tool both for Mainstream Top 40 programmers looking for those songs that might be ready to cross from Hot AC, as well as Adult Top 40 PDs trying to get an early read on what songs might be suitable for their audience. If you’re in the business of playing today’s hits for 25-plus listeners, we hope you’ll see your station reflected in the “25+ Hits” chart.

Here’s the 34-station chart panel for “25+ Hits” including three new stations (asterisked) that are added effective with the August 9 edition of the 25+ newsletter.:

KBKS (Kiss 106.1) Seattle

KEZR (Mix 106.5) San Jose

KHOP Stockton, Calif.

KLCA Reno, Nev.

KLLY Bakersfield, Calif.

KMVA (Movin' 97.5) Phoenix

KMXV (Mix 93.3) Kansas City

KSII (Kiss FM) El Paso, Texas

KVLY McAllen, Texas

KWYE (Y101) Fresno, Calif.

KZZO (Now 100.5) Sacramento, Calif.

KZZU* Spokane, Wash.

WDCG (G105) Raleigh, N.C.

WDVD Detroit

WHTG (Hits 106) Monmouth/Ocean, N.J.

WJIM-FM (97.5 Now FM) Lansing, Mich.

WJLK (94.3 The Point) Monmouth/Ocean, N.J.

WKDD Akron, Ohio

WKRQ (Q102) Cincinnati

WKRZ Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

WLAN Lancaster, Pa.

WNCI Columbus, Ohio

WNKS (Kiss 95.1) Charlotte, N.C.

WPRO-FM (92 Pro FM) Providence, R.I.

WPST Trenton, N.J./Philadelphia

WQAL (Q104) Cleveland

WRVW (The River) Nashville

WSTR (Star 94) Atlanta

WSTW Wilmington, Del.

WTMX (Mix 101.9)* Chicago

WWMX (Mix 106.5) Baltimore

WWWQ (Q100) Atlanta

WZPL (Z99.5)* Indianapolis

WZPT (Star 100.7) Pittsburgh

WZYP Huntsville, Ala.

You can also click here to see the Mediaguide panels for Mainstream AC and Hot AC.