We used to have a great solution for this: disk jockeys. Some stations still do employ them as actual curators of music, not just a pleasing voice over the Clear Channel Top 40 feed.
These folks are pros, with vast experience, and they can put together a show by theme, or to tell a story, or to set a mood, or to challenge you with some new things. Most of them now press the button on whatever they're told and read the title out.
But, every once in a while they sneak in a late night show now, maybe when mgmt isn't looking.
I wonder if this would be a good format for streaming, like the old days but global, with a live DJ and fans interacting live.
It is the most common format for clubs in virtual worlds, and I've found a lot of new music that way. One of my favorites is the saturday afternoon show in Utopia Skye, which is simulcast on Discord, allowing people who aren't in the virtual club to listen and to interact with the DJs.
> I wonder if this would be a good format for streaming, like the old days but global, with a live DJ and fans interacting live.
This is exactly why I've been working on a live streaming site for DJs and music lovers [1] where DJs can play whatever we like LIVE while also interacting with our listeners via a well-working chat (not those pesky shoutboxes most of radio stations seem to use). This differs from Twitch and other platforms being only focused on music and having lots of features for the DJs to engage and grow their fanbase.
I'm obviously biased but live streaming DJ sets and radio shows to a live international audience is very exciting and getting to listen proper oldskool DJs play awesome sets live feels always special. Internet FTW! :)
I've found Apple Music does this pretty well with some of it's scheduled programming like Beats 1, or the less frequently but quality stuff like Echo Chamber.
I miss disk jockeys. The ones who were knowledgeable about music, played B sides, and had some personality were gems. I found a station (KSLG) in northern California that still does this.
I like Spotify and there's a place for it. But I wouldn't call it fun. Listening to a good DJ was fun and sometimes informative.
We used to have a great solution for this: disk jockeys. Some stations still do employ them as actual curators of music, not just a pleasing voice over the Clear Channel Top 40 feed.
The problems of today are strange.