Post #3373579

2026-06-22 12:20 UTC

Radio stations used to have actual, human DJs. They were smart, funny and they knew what people really wanted. After the ClearChannel takeover, almost all of those stations are automated. The music playlists are decided by corporations and have no connection to the real world.

Replies (4)

@DrBob@lemmy.ca 2026-06-22 12:55

Jack FM was a joy to listen to - at least in the early days - because they got rid of DJs. They wanted the effect of listening to mp3s on shuffle. I have never enjoyed DJs and I think it’s pretty common. Just play music and back announce the tracks.

Open ##3373666
@Ildsaye@hexbear.net 2026-06-22 14:59

And the Clearchannel takeover was set loose by the Telecoms Act of 1996. Prior to that, it was illegal in the US to own more than 7 units of media - any combo of radio or TV stations, magazines, newpapers, etc.

Open ##3374142
@Windex007@lemmy.world 2026-06-22 16:46

There was a radio station who’s whole thing was that they would never play nickleback. Then one day they accidentally played nickleback. The Playlists were coming from some head office 5000 miles away, and they missed pulling a nickleback track once it got to the local station.

Open ##3374791
@kersploosh@sh.itjust.works 2026-06-23 00:09

Shout out to KEXP 90.3 FM Seattle / KEXC 92.7 FM Alameda/San Francisco. All real live DJs all the time, picking amazing music across genres.

Open ##3377535