It’s been my tradition since I began this blog nine years ago to look back on the year just past and share with you the Top 5 Most Read articles over the last 52 weeks.
To date, 441 articles have been published and have been viewed over 296,300-times from folks around the world; maybe you missed them or perhaps you’d like to read them again.
Most Read Article of 2023
Radio’s talent pool is shrinking, and those people still working in radio are “wearing more hats” than ever with 54% of radio personalities saying that they are responsible for more than four different areas of their radio stations.
It was this statistic that led me to write “ Is There A Future For Air Personalities.” Apparently this article struck a nerve with thousands of readers when it was published in September 2023.
Second Most Read Article of 2023
In May 2023, I asked the question “Where Are the Radios?” with an article titled “Radio’s Disappearing Act.”
39% of American homes today no longer have a single AM/FM radio in them, and radio set ownership gets worse for young Americans age 12 to 24, where that number grows to 57%.
AM/FM radios are vanishing from hotels, B&Bs, American homes and big box retailers.
Third Most Read Article of 2023
If people don’t have radios in their homes and workplaces, where are they getting their music fix? Earlier in May, I asked that very question in an article titled “Where People Today Get Their Music Fix.”
According to research conducted by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), more 64% of individuals primarily choose to play music over the internet.
Music is personal and the internet allows all of us to hear what we want, when we want to hear it. Knowing this, broadcast radio – now more than ever – needs engaging personalities that make an emotional connection with listeners beyond the music they play.
Fourth Most Read Article of 2023
Forty-six years ago, Johnny Paycheck released a song titled “Take This Job And Shove It.” It was his biggest hit, and as it usually happens with a song like this, it stands out to even non-fans for a reason. Specifically, in this case, it was because it hit home with many dissatisfied workers all across America.
In 2023, the website Careercast.com published a report on the “Top Ten Worst Jobs in America,” three of those jobs listed were reporter, broadcaster and advertising salesperson. Poor pay would be bad enough, but a lack of job growth exacerbates attracting new talent.
Fifth Most Read Article of 2023
Radio listening, is a habit; a habit that is disappearing along with local radio personalities. Radio personalities are a station’s brand, they are unique to your radio station; coach them, grow them and promote them.
If you don’t understand the listener’s needs, from the listener’s point-of-view, then you’re just spinning your wheels. This was the subject addressed in the article “Listeners Don’t Care.”
Most Read Article The Day It Was Published
Back on September 6, 2015, an article I wrote in the early days of this blog continues to hold the record for the most readers and comments the day it was published. Looking back, I see that it dealt with the same issue eight years ago that has only gotten worse, that being the elimination of the very thing that makes radio great – it’s radio personalities.
“We Never Called It Content” is the story of how a radio industry inspired me to make this my life’s career. It’s an article that’s had over 5,000 views.
Radio is an art form.
When you remove the artists, there’s not much left.
Why I Blog
I blog for broadcasters, educators and students, to provide media mentorship and to pay-it-forward to the broadcasting industry that I have been a part of for over 56-years. I’m grateful for the more than 221,000-people from all over the world who have visited this blog (https://DickTaylorBlog.com) and have read articles that have caught their interest.
Also every article I’ve written is archived on my blog site and easily accessible.
As I begin my 10th year of blogging, I plan to write new articles when I feel I can add a different perspective to how our media world is changing and evolving, ending the rigor of writing a new article every week.
If you’re a subscriber to my blog – IT’S FREE – then you will automatically receive new articles as they are published.
DickTaylorBlog 
Dick, I’ve been an avid reader of your blog since its inception. I’ve always appreciated the diverse perspectives and engaging discussions. In my view, the era of mass media is fading away, giving rise to fragmented audiences forming smaller, more specialized communities. This shift poses a significant challenge for radio networks as they struggle to sustain programming catering to these niche groups, especially with the declining presence of the boomer generation. To address this challenge, I’ve recently been brought on by a stage agency to conduct a study on effective messaging for constituents and stakeholders. Wishing you a happy new year and eagerly awaiting your insights in 2024.
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I really look forward to learning more about your study and what you learn, Victor.
Happy New Year!
-DT
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