Isn't AC for like really old people that might explain a lot

they're always the last to pick up on songs and always one of the formats to keep older smashes in heavy rotation. that format, in that respect, is quite "off" and is usually good for sustaining longevity with many multiformat smashes.

some AC stations are "current" with the newer music, and some are very very late with picking up on what's "hot." for example, "Payphone" and "Call Me Maybe" were still receiving adds as of last month

It's listeners are less fickle and latch onto songs for longer. AC airplay helped "Before He Cheats" break the Billboard most weeks charting record.