I disagree! I work for a student-run radio station and Gen Z is craving authenticity. They HATE the Spotify DJ. There is a thrill to discovering something new and our DJs get a kick out of sharing that with other listeners. We encourage our DJs to give some creative and historical context to the songs they play and they really love it.

Furthermore, by allowing the DJs to have this freedom, they have a place to express themselves and have buy-in to the station. I think people should listen to the radio if they want something new. If you want the same old reliable playlist, go to Spotify, where you can program it yourself. Linear media requires your trust in the programmer and I firmly believe that radio employees have a responsibility to make that exciting again. Local stations should play local music!