Karl Marx
The Future of Black Radio Advanced Radio Production Professor Reginald Franklin Tony Jordan Summer 2012
The Future of Black Radio
Abstract Although radio stations depend on advertisements to remain stable, African American radio personalities like Rudy Rush, George Willborn, Steve Harvey, Dede McGuire, Doug Banks, and Tom Joyner, who is defined as the Godfather of syndicated radio, have implemented humor, storytelling, original game show ideas, and politics into their live radio broadcast. These are important components to the future of African American radio because the structure of the shows does not have to rely solely on advertisement for revenue. For instance, African American radio personality Shirley Strawberry, of the Steve Harvey Show, has the strawberry letter. The strawberry letter is when a listener writes the show about a personal issue, and seeks advice from the cast. Also, African American syndicated shows utilize celebrity interviewing, comedy skits, and other popular additions like Nephew Tommy’s Prank Calls, to attract listeners and compete as radio industry powerhouses without the threat of being discontinued as a result of decreased revenue through lack of advertisement.
The Future of Black Radio The History Mass media is the world’s informant. Currently, media entities such as Sirius XM Radio and Cumulus Clear Channel, employ and engage audiences of all cultures, nationalities, and ethnicities. In regards to African American radio personalities, the market prevailed from Washington, DC’s WINX radio station owner swearing to Hal Jackson in the 1930’s, who is the forefather of black radio, that no nigger would ever grace the presence of his radio station, to the prominent rise of African American radio personalities like Michael Baisden, MC Lyte, Tavis Smiley, and Hip-hop’s king of radio, Fatman Scoop. With the nation’s history of segregation, African American pioneers like Jack L. Cooper, who was the first African American voice on
The Future of Black Radio
Abstract Although radio stations depend on advertisements to remain stable, African American radio personalities like Rudy Rush, George Willborn, Steve Harvey, Dede McGuire, Doug Banks, and Tom Joyner, who is defined as the Godfather of syndicated radio, have implemented humor, storytelling, original game show ideas, and politics into their live radio broadcast. These are important components to the future of African American radio because the structure of the shows does not have to rely solely on advertisement for revenue. For instance, African American radio personality Shirley Strawberry, of the Steve Harvey Show, has the strawberry letter. The strawberry letter is when a listener writes the show about a personal issue, and seeks advice from the cast. Also, African American syndicated shows utilize celebrity interviewing, comedy skits, and other popular additions like Nephew Tommy’s Prank Calls, to attract listeners and compete as radio industry powerhouses without the threat of being discontinued as a result of decreased revenue through lack of advertisement.
The Future of Black Radio The History Mass media is the world’s informant. Currently, media entities such as Sirius XM Radio and Cumulus Clear Channel, employ and engage audiences of all cultures, nationalities, and ethnicities. In regards to African American radio personalities, the market prevailed from Washington, DC’s WINX radio station owner swearing to Hal Jackson in the 1930’s, who is the forefather of black radio, that no nigger would ever grace the presence of his radio station, to the prominent rise of African American radio personalities like Michael Baisden, MC Lyte, Tavis Smiley, and Hip-hop’s king of radio, Fatman Scoop. With the nation’s history of segregation, African American pioneers like Jack L. Cooper, who was the first African American voice on
References: George, A. (2008). The future of Black radio: facing a rapidly changing industry and brutal competition, this medium can survive through syndicated programming and bold entrepreneurial moves. Hinckley, D. ( 2012, May 23). Hal Jackson: Pioneer on black radio dies at 96. Walton, C. (2007). Al-Benson: The Godfather of Black Radio in Chicago.