AI and humanity. If that sounds oxymoronic to you, you’re not alone. Many are concerned Artificial Intelligence will leave creativity, empathy, and warmth on the cutting room floor. But, in fact, most companies displaying their AI wares at CES this year went out of their way to explain the role humanity plays in this fast-moving technology. I’ve got it all packaged for you, along with an introduction to one of the most powerful execs at Spotify charged with “picking the hits.”

Want to get a good radio debate going? Just bring up the true value of “local” topic and watch the fun. But when it comes to local WEATHER, there is no debate. That’s because most people place great value on weather information that covers where they live and work. Recently a broadcaster heard that message loud and clear when they fired their entire team of 100 meteorologists across their group of television changes. They started a whole different type of storm. Radio can most definitely learn a lesson or two from this corporate debacle.

Programming a radio station has never been a simple task, made more challenging by today’s environment where staff and budgets are at a premium. Right now, Barrett Media is in the process of handing out awards to the best program directors in America, a worthy endeavor. Problem is, IMHO they have missed the best one. He’s the subject of today’s post.

One of our CES tour attendees referred to the event like drinking out of a tech firehose, an apt description of the experience – especially for first-timers. As we continue to learn, it is an essential skill for CEOs in the media business to acquire a passable Tech IQ. The alternative could be dire, for both executives and their companies. Earlier this month, a long-time corporate chieftain lost his coveted job in a high-profile company because the release of their new app turned out to be a debacle. I’ll tell you that story and why a “continuing education” in technology for CEOs isn’t just a good idea. It’s a prerequisite.

How can broadcast radio best be described in 2025 – in just a single word? That was the challenge I issued here earlier this week, and hundreds of you answered the bell. The result is a word cloud – or word salad – that has to be seen to be believed. It depicts an industry in flux, and a study in contrasts by the current and former pros who submitted a response. What does it mean? Anything and everything.

What are the values that drive listening in today’s crowded audio environment? Is it about being live and/or local? Does music curation matter? What about breaking new music and discovering new artists? In 2025, many of the elements originally foundational for broadcast radio have been altered by the ravages of digital competition. Or have they? Apple Music is testing the boundaries, a radio experiment worth watching. It’s the topic for today’s blog post.

On this MLK Day holiday, a simple question for you. How would you describe the year ahead for radio in just one word? Click “READ MORE” and I’ll take it from here.

For long-time radio professionals, the skills necessary to be successful in broadcasting are generally agreed upon – the conventional wisdom of running a radio station or company. But what would happen if some bright young person came along and proceeded to turn radio as know it on its side? That’s what Steve Jobs did back in 1983 in a recently discovered video where he outlines a very different vision for radio. Forty or so years later, how can we learn from the genius behind Apple to reinvent a legacy medium in need of a new vision?

Recently returning home from CES, I am well aware of technology’s ability to wow us and even blow our minds. But there are a lot of seemingly ordinary media stories that are just…unbelievable…but true. Check these out.

A mantra at CES each year is “Every company is a tech company.” Yes, even radio companies. But just saying it doesn’t make it so. Last week in Las Vegas, we were treated to some stellar examples, particularly by Delta Airlines whose presence this year at CES was nothing short of spectacular and attention-getting. Delta provided a textbook example of how any company or organization can make smart, strategic use of the technology to achieve their highest goals. Take notes – this is a good one.

Remember when social media used to be fun? We’d discover long-lost classmates, post memes of our dogs, and bask in that raise or promotion. But today, social media has become heavily politicized, from an upcoming TikTok ban in the U.S. that actually may happen to new policies from Mark Zuckerberg and his social media portfolio that should raise lots of questions about priorities and values. Yes, the “landlord” is back at it again, and today’s blog post explains what’s up and includes the video that’s all you need to see.

A new year and a new FCC chairman coming into power. And by all accounts, that might very well mean that change is in the air for broadcasters. While the FCC may be famous for rubber stamping the vast majority of radio and TV license renewals, Brendan Carr is suggesting his term as chairman of the agency may indeed be very different. What might it mean for your station? Let’s talk about it.