Our blog posts this week have revolved around a common theme: the contrast between human radio entertainment and AI-driven algorithmic technology. These days, the importance of this difference goes to the heart and soul of what radio is all about. Or perhaps, what it should be all about.
As we enter the one-quarter milestone of this century, this is the choice much of radio now faces. Balancing entertainment value and trustworthy information versus the expense of talent and production is a calculus every broadcaster – and every media company – must carefully consider.
A couple weeks back, iHeart’s Bob Pittman was widely quoted and roundly criticized for his terse but true comments about the state of the radio broadcasting industry. You may recall his money quote:
“There’s not a slot for everybody.”
And it’s his company’s money, and he – along with radio’s other CEOs – get to decide who and what they’re going to spend it on. Like it or not, that’s how the world works.
In the same interview, Pittman also talked about the status of radio personalities gifted with the ability to connect with their audiences:
“Great talent are great talent because people all wanna be their friends. When you look at Ryan Seacrest, he’s America’s favorite friend. Everybody wants to be his friend. Or Charlamagne tha God or Bobby Bones.”‘
Or Elvis Duran.
The host of Z100’s morning show since 1996, and heard in 70 markets around the country, Duran snared a feature segment on CBS News’ well-respected Sunday Morning program this past weekend. Interviewed by Mo Rocca, Elvis garnered an impressive 7+ minutes of the network’s time, clearly one of the last best shows on commercial television. And a truly great showcase for a radio personality still at the top of his game, delivering the most positive narrative about an industry showing lots of signs of rust.
If you don’t have time to watch it now, bookmark this post and watch it later. Or maybe even save it for that moment when someone takes a potshot at radio, its value in 2025, or your role in it. For seven minutes and change, you’ll feel a little better.
An aside about Sunday Morning…
One of Paul’s and my best friend in radio just happens to be former NPR programming mastermind, Jay Kernis. For the past many years, Jay has served as producer on Sunday Morning, a fabulous stage where he gets to show off his stellar storytelling abilities. Public radio could use Jay’s touch these days, as could all of radio. But I digress….
On the Sunday Morning piece, Elvis espoused some of the same themes as his boss, reminding viewers about why radio still matters:
“We are in the friendship business. I think about you when you hop in your car in the morning. You’re either leaving a house that may be full of turmoil, or going to a job with a boss you don’t like. But I have you for 20-30 minutes, and I can be your friend.”
When I think about our “Why Radio?” chart we put together each year in our Techsurveys, it is those emotional underpinnings – symbolized below with those red circle “E’s” – that define Elvis Duran’s approach to his show.
When he talks about the audience, he shows empathy and perceptiveness – putting himself in the shoes of his listeners.
In the segment with Rocca, Elvis reveals he was a lonely kid, growing up in McKinney, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. And he espouses radio’s ability to provide a feeling of companionship to anyone and everyone who listens to his radio show.
“You know, I’m not lonely anymore. I never, ever want to go back to being a lonely person ever again. And I don’t want anyone listening to our show to be lonely. That’s the legacy we’re all trying to leave. I don’t want them to remember my name; I just want them to remember how we made them feel every day. That’s it.”
I’ve never met Duran, but I’ve seen him in action. A few years back in Vegas, Elvis received a hall of fame award from the NAB. On the TV side, Alex Trebek, Pat Sajak, and Vanna White received the equivalent award for their long-running game shows. In accepting his honor, Duran was humble, genuinely honored, and gracious – all qualities that are so obviously part of his DNA.
And in a conflicted radio industry where some are still debating the efficacy and ROI of those craftsmen and women behind the mic, Duran makes it clear where he stands:
“Radio isn’t what radio used to be. A lot of radio companies gave up on personalities; they just wanted to play music, it’s cheaper. That’s not good for our business. So, I’ve done everything I can to keep personality on a radio show in the mornings.”
The name of the piece makes a statement, too:
“Elvis Duran on the magic of radio and his special bond with listeners”
Nope, not shock jocks or wild and crazy “zookeepers” running around town wearing underwear on their heads.
We’re talking radio, the way we hope regular citizens perceive it. You know how I found out about the Sunday Morning piece. Several non-radio people in my life told me about it, urged me to watch it, and loved every one of its aspects.
Whether it’s Elvis Duran anchoring morning drive for a legendary station in the country’s #1 market or hundreds of other radio personalities I’ve encountered over the years, the theme is the same.
Radio broadcasting attracts a particular personality type – talented but insecure, cocky but self-deprecating – with an innate desire to entertain but also to serve. Yes, they’re all unique but most possess similar DNA strands that make them different than the rest of us.
And the truly talented among them have the ability to impact lives while serving communities they’re licensed or beamed into.
Are there fewer opportunities for personalities who aspire to become as big, popular, and loved as Elvis Duran? Without a doubt. But that’s another reason why we should celebrate the fact that for millions of Americans every day, radio still matters.
To that end, I enjoyed all 433 seconds of this kiss for an industry that could use a little love these days. But I also hope radio’s decision-makers see it, too. Because they are all capable of building and nurturing meaningful morning shows in their markets, whether they’re New York City, Nashville or Nome. In fact, many already do. There are just fewer of them in the American radio population than ever before.
This is another reason why efforts to support radio’s personalities should be applauded and patronized. I’m specifically thinking of Don Anthony’s “Morning Show Boot Camp.” In 2025, the event will be held in Austin for the first time. It promises to be a celebration of why personality radio continues to be broadcast radio’s pathway to continued success.
It’s never too late to recognize those who continue to give it their all each and every day on the radio in conditions more competitive and less supportive than ever before. Elvis Duran is a radio hero and a beacon of hope for others who strive to walk in his footsteps. It is incumbent on those in power in radio to make it possible for them to do so.
Personality matters.
To learn more about and/or register for the 37th Morning Show Boot Camp in Austin next summer, click here.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
- Elvis Has NOT Left The Building - December 4, 2024
- Algorithms vs. The Human Touch - December 3, 2024
- Keepin’ It Real On The Radio - December 2, 2024
Stumbled onto the Elvis piece on Sunday morning. It was fabulous. Such a strong rare talent who understands how to connect with his audience. Thank you for sharing this, Fred.
Truly an enjoyable bit of TV.
Take that, TIk Tokers. Radio STILL has a personality. One. (?) I ran across a listener lamenting the lack of local personalities like they used to exist in San Diego. Murphy and McKeever. Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw. Jeff and Jer. In nearby Los Angeles-Rick Dees. Mark and Kim. Shotgun Tom Kelly. Robert W. Morgan. Charlie Tuna. Mark and Brian. Any market can list its former personalities who are gone and not replaced. Life goes on and congrats to Elvis Duran (and Ryan) for their success – but the medium needs more and more of these personalities to survive. Unless that happens AM/FM will continue to wither on the vine. Early on, consolidation was explained to me as a “real estate” battle. Today most of the real estate is akin to vacant lots with nothing but weeds growing. The Duran’s and Seacrest’s need competition to make them (and radio) stronger. Help!!
Ha! I love this, Dave! It’s not only important for radio, but it’s also important for the Elvises (Elvii?) and Ryans in order to keep them
strong.
You and I share first and last initials. I can think of a few signals in town where “The M&M Morning Show” could thrive. What do ya say?
I say, “Watch out, McDonald’s!”
Ha!! Great idea, David. All we need now is a support staff and a budget that’s similar that for Elvis D or Ryan. Then you need a distribution platform like iHeart -with a national sales staff to bring in the sponsors. And isn’t it funny that the biggest stars on the radio these days are billed as single? Elvis. Ryan. Steve Harvey. Charlemagne The God. Maybe the days of __ and __ are sitting on the shelf with cart machines. (sigh).
Wait, you mean the only thing holding us up is a budget similar to that of Elvis D or Ryan and a distribution platform like iHeart -with a national sales staff to bring in the sponsors?? What are we waiting for??
Just don’t take away my cart machines!
I’m a big Sunday Morning viewer (although my wife always asks “what old rock star are they profiling this week?”…lol). I watched every minute of that piece and this one phrase stuck our for me -“I have you for 20-30 minutes, and I can be your friend.” That should up on every radio station studio wall (hopefully, there is someone in there to read it!). I’d recommend that ANY and EVERY radio personality, or aspiring personality, watch it. Whether viewers got it, lots of us in radio did.
I met him pre-Elvis Duran when he was still a jock in McKinney, TX (I was PD of a CHR in Dallas). He had that charisma then and he took it to Austin and the rest is history.