Will AI Kill the Radio Star?

Local stations are clinging to life, but now artificial intelligence could pose a threat—or not

Whether it is musicians or talking heads such as Joe Rogan, yesterday’s radio stars have mostly become streaming and podcast stars.Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Video didn’t kill the radio star—it just wounded him. Will new technology finish the job?

MTV launched its service in 1981 with The Buggles’ prophetic hit. Young people were soon glued to the cable sensation as VHF dials gathered dust, hastening the decline of over-the-air TV. More than 40 years later, video streamers such as Netflix are now choking cable to death with penetration soon expected to drop below half of U.S. households

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