Monday Memo: Radio’s Advantage is Human
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Every radio conference agenda and much of what’s-up in the trade press and chat groups is about exploiting Artificial Intelligence. Often these conversations land in one of two places: fear (“Will this replace us?”) or fascination (“Look what it can do!”). Both miss the point.
In “Between You and AI” (Wiley) author Andrea Iorio cautions that when everyone has access to the same machine intelligence, advantage shifts to what remains scarce. That’s not just-more information. It’s better judgment, trust, empathy, and local savvy… the very things radio has always done best.
Haven’t got time to read all 254 pages? Here’s a short version, as it applies to our work:
- AI is brilliant at summarizing, predicting, transcribing, drafting, and optimizing. Radio should absolutely use it to handle the mechanical work that clogs calendars and burns out staff. Show prep summaries. Promo copy drafts. Sales proposal outlines. Post-show highlights. Let the machine chew through that.
- But here’s where radio wins: what to ask, what to emphasize, what to leave out, and how to make people feel. AI can’t do those things without human direction, interpretation, and accountability.
- For a morning show: AI can surface trending topics in seconds. But it can’t know which story resonates here,today, with this audience – nor when silence, humor, or restraint is the smarter move. That’s human sensemaking. The book calls it “data sensemaking”; radio people have always called it “knowing our market.”
- News/talk: AI can summarize a city council meeting neatly. It cannot decide which exchange actually matters to listeners’ lives, nor ask the follow-up question that reframes the issue.
- Sales teams, too, are at a crossroads. AI can generate a competent proposal in seconds. So can your competitor. What it can’t do is replace the trust built when a seller truly understands a retailer’s risk tolerance, cash flow anxiety, and seasonal pressure points. As AI makes “good enough” ubiquitous, relationship quality becomes the differentiator.
- In an AI-saturated media environment, audiences won’t reward whoever publishes the most. They’ll reward whoever feels the most real. Trust will matter more than tone. Judgment more than speed. Presence more than precision.
AI is not radio’s replacement. It’s radio’s stress test. Stations that pass will be the ones that let machines handle the work so humans can handle the meaning.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn
Robertson states, “Expanding WDAE’s heritage brand strengthens our long-standing broadcast and marketing partnerships with the Tampa Bay Rays, Buccaneers, Lightning, Florida Gators and USF Bulls. This evolution also reflects our continued commitment to serving Tampa Bay listeners across multiple platforms.” WDAE program director and midday host Nick Wize adds, “I am beyond excited for Tampa Bay sports fans. This is a championship market, and we’re delivering a strong, engaging lineup that brings fans closer to the teams and conversations they care about most.”
response to Nielsen’s Counterclaims, including any motion to dismiss the Counterclaims and March 16 for Nielsen to notify the Court whether it intends to file an amended pleading. If Nielsen doesn’t amend its Counterclaims, then April 3 is the deadline for Nielsen to file its opposition to Cumulus’s 
motion to dismiss the Counterclaims, if any, and April 17 for Cumulus to file a reply, if any. Then, if Nielsen amends its Counterclaims, April 24 is the date for Cumulus to file its response to Nielsen’s amended Counterclaims, including any motion to dismiss the amended Counterclaims. May 15 is the deadline for Nielsen to file its opposition to Cumulus’s motion to dismiss the amended Counterclaims, if any, and May 28 is the deadline for Cumulus to file a reply, if any.
2026, to shareholders of record on February 26, 2026. The aggregate amount of the payment will be approximately $1.6 million. The quarterly dividend will be funded by cash on the company’s balance sheet. Including this dividend, the company will have paid over $143 million in dividends to shareholders since the first special dividend was paid in 2012.
the Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida market from Hall Communications. The deal includes news/talk WLKF-AM (but not its current FM translator W244BJ at 96.7 MHz) country WPVC, and adult hits WONN-AM and its translators W296CS at 107.1 FM and W240DB at 95.9 FM. MARC Radio says it expects the deal to close in May, pending FCC approval.
Adventureland’s family-friendly guest experience. The partnership further solidifies JVC Media’s growing role as Long Island’s leading out-of-home and place-based advertising company, building on its successful advertising programs at Long Island MacArthur Airport and the Catholic Health Amphitheater at Bald Hill.” JVC president and CEO John Caracciolo says, “Adventureland is a Long Island institution with a loyal, multi-generational audience. This partnership gives brands the opportunity to connect with families in a positive, high-attention environment while giving Adventureland a professionally managed sponsorship platform.” He adds, “Out-of-home advertising is most effective when it’s part of a larger local media strategy. By combining physical venues with radio, we help advertisers build frequency, trust, and real community impact.”
be celebrated on-air and transform their classrooms with a $5,000 DonorsChoose gift card. iHeartMedia president of programming operations and digital music says, “iHeartRadio’s ‘Thank a Teacher’ aims to shine a light on the quiet and positive work happening in classrooms across the country and to offer a very public thank you to the teachers who are doing so much.” Over the course of the contest 60,000 teachers were nominated for $50,000 in gift cards shared by the 10 final winners. 
Broadcasting Awards. Stations honored include: NewsRadio WILK, Wilkes-Barre for “Special Edition – Paul Miller’s Law”; KYW Newsradio, Philadelphia
served as PM drive anchor at Audacy’s KRLD-AM, Dallas. WTOP director of news and programming Julie Ziegler says, “From the moment I met Kristin, I knew there was something special about her. Her commitment to telling stories that impact the diverse, local community she serves and doing so across platforms, aligns perfectly with WTOP’s mission. I can’t wait for the WTOP audience to get to know her.” Diaz was awarded the 2021 National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast. She was also the recipient of the 2023 Texas Association of Broadcasters award for Best Newscast.
The Hub – The Voice for Freedom.” The station features Salem Radio Network programming including Mike Gallagher, Hugh Hewitt, Larry Elder, and Scott Jennings, plus Compass Media Network’s Erick Erickson. The station is also airing local agribusiness programming from hosts Tony St. James and Steven Orr in morning drive. 
causing listeners to speculate about his status. Earlier this week Kirwan addressed the matter saying, “As most of you have noticed, Jim Miller was not with us last week at the Super Bowl. We’re going to let all of you know, today, that Jim is no longer a member of the SiriusXM team. We’re grateful for all of Jim’s insights and contributions through his many years on SiriusXM, and I’m personally grateful to have him as my on-air teammate for a long time. I wish him the best going forward, as all of you will as well. For the sake of Jim, we should leave this subject as it is and hope and pray that he gets on with his life and things go well.”
largest weekly audiences that launched last year. Number one is “Good Hang with Amy Poehler,” which won a Golden Globe for best podcast. News/talk podcasts on the chart include “The Nerve with Maureen Callahan,” published by Megyn Kelly’s MK Media, the progressive “Keith Edwards Show,” and iHeartPodcast’s “This is Gavin Newsom.” 
Church and founder of Turning Point Ministries. Salem CEO David Santrella says, “The Salem Summit Breakfast has become a cornerstone moment at NRB for connection on our shared mission. To see this gathering grow from 100 people to more than 500 is a testament to the hunger leaders have for fellowship and practical wisdom as they navigate a rapidly changing media landscape.”
WTOP says its journalists will examine the following seven pillars as defining points of American progress: The Federal Workforce (WTOP reporter Jimmy Alexander), Defense (WTOP National Security Correspondent JJ Green), Energy (WTOP reporter and anchor Nick Iannelli), Transportation (WTOP aviation and transportation reporter Dan Ronan), Healthcare (WTOP producer and reporter Acacia James), Technology (WTOP anchor John Aaron) and Homeownership (WTOP reporter Linh Bui). Hubbard DC VP and general manager Joel Oxley comments, “This series reflects WTOP’s commitment to thoughtful, fact-driven journalism with national importance but more importantly, local impact. As the country reflects on 250 years of progress, we’re proud to provide context, insight, and perspective on how we got here and where we’re headed as part of the community at the epicenter of this story, our nation’s capital.”
pm. Talk show hosts Chris Merrill and Michael Monks partner for the “Monks & Merrill” shows that will air from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. An hour is shaved off the late morning “Gary & Shannon” show [Gary Hoffmann and Shannon Farren] that will air from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Chris Merrill, who’s been heard on KFI in the past, was most recently with Bonneville’s KTAR-FM, Phoenix. Michael Monks an award-winning senior reporter/host for KFI News. Station brand manager Brian Long says, “The chance to put John Kobylt back in drivetime and move Tim Conway Jr. and his entertaining brand of talk a bit later for the evening crowd is a homerun for the KFI listeners. Starting the day with ‘Wake- Up Call,’ Bill Handel, ‘Gary & Shannon,’ our award-winning news team, and now the addition of the new ‘Monks & Merrill’ show makes KFI the most stimulating talk lineup in America.”
conservative star of Northern Georgia’s most powerful and influential news/talk outlet is also an author, columnist, former U.S. Congressional candidate, and ubiquitous media presence. She is the recipient of numerous local, regional, and national awards including being named the TALKERS “Woman of the Year” in 2024. Zoller tells TALKERS, “Thankfully, I was at church when this happened. Thank you to my church and the fantastic paramedics at the Hall County Fire Department and the team at Northeast Georgia Health System. I’m going home with a lot of work to do. Thankfully, we live in the community I’m in. There are too many people to thank. You know who you are, thank you! I will see you, hear you soon.” Zoller can be reached via email at 
maturity date of its asset-based lending facility to December 18, 2030. Additionally, Urban One announces it receives confirmation from Nasdaq that it has regained compliance with the stock exchange’s $1.00 minimum bid price requirement, closing at or above $1.00 for 10 consecutive business days between January 23 and February 6, 2026. Urban One’s stock closed at $11.42 on February 10, 2026. On January 22, 2026, it executed a reverse stock split of all classes of its Common Stock. 
more than two decades of proven media and advertising leadership, along with deep-rooted relationships throughout the Pittsburgh business community. Salem president of broadcast media Allen Power says, “We are excited to combine Jason’s leadership track record at Salem with Dave’s deep market knowledge of Pittsburgh. They are focused on growing our sales team in the market with a commitment to providing outcome-based solutions for advertisers.” Mosher is based in Salem Media’s Atlanta office. He has been with Salem Media for six years and was recently promoted from regional sales director where he led sales efforts for Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Cleveland.
“Darn, if we were on FM everything would get better.” Not true. This writer launched many of the successful talk formats on FM stations in the early 1990s. The ones that worked, such as KLSX, Los Angeles; WTKS, Orlando; and New Jersey 101.5 in Trenton, were produced for the unique demands of FM. Then and today, the FM band cume utilized the radio in a completely different manner than AM audiences. The competition on FM isn’t another talk show. It’s Chapelle Roan and Taylor Swift. Ya know, billion-dollar Taylor Swift. The production values of FM music stations set the expectations of “the sound.” “Let’s pay some bills…” Followed by bumper music! Followed by eight minutes of commercials for Med Alert is just not what FMers are used to hearing on Elvis Duran. (Elvis is doing a talk show.)