Moneyball: The Most Valuable Content for 2026

Leigh Jacobs & Carolyn Gilbert

In addition to “beloved,” the words “authentic” and “relatable” have been consistent across the many, many tributes to WMMR’s Pierre Robert in social media this past week. The words came up among media contacts, but also among “real life” friends here in Philly – people not focused on radio or media, just long-time listeners of a very popular rock music radio station.

I recalled seeing those very words when we at NuVoodoo asked about a thousand Country radio listeners to, “Tell us the things that make Country radio DJs and hosts stand out from others,” in this year’s study for the Country Radio Seminar. AI tools helped us identify common themes. Humor and entertainment were number one … but relatability and personality were number two. Here’s what we showed in summary:

• Respondents frequently mentioned that they feel like the hosts are friends or people they can relate to.
• Some stated that DJs are “down to earth” and “genuine.”
• The best personalities feel authentic and easy to connect with.

Here’s a sampling of respondents’ verbatim comments:

• “They stand out because they feel genuine, connect personally with their audience, and bring great energy and humor to every show”
• “I feel like I’ve known them forever”
• “I feel like they sound like I am talking to or listening to a friend”
• “It’s really like listening to your buddies talking about what’s going on”
• “They sound like people that live nearby”
• “I enjoy how they stay connected to the country lifestyle and bring energy and authenticity to the show”

“Authenticity.” That’s something we’re looking for at a time when we’re wondering if the social media post/YouTube video/podcast we’re interacting with is even connected to a human. We’re awash in content. In their latest study, Activate Consulting estimates we’re now spending over 13 hours every day using technology and media.

If you’re trying to get the attention of consumers in that blitz, striving to create quality content is no longer enough. Digital strategy guru Seth Resler advises that “’just make better content’ was good advice – back when content was scarce.” Resler notes that Gavin Hammar summed it up perfectly: “When everyone has infinite content, nobody’s content matters. Scarcity creates value. And guess when just became the scarcest thing on the internet? Real human connection.” Get more from Seth and the Community Marketing Revolution here.

For radio, Pierre Robert was an embodiment of the real human connection we’ve enjoyed with listeners for a century. He wasn’t flashy or overproduced. Just authentic, genuine. Here’s to making more of that on the radio in 2026!

It’s budget season and NuVoodoo’s offerings for programming research are widely known. We believe that the best radio is created with data-driven decisions, so we work to inform our pricing with the realities of today’s operating budgets.

We deliver OMTs and perceptual studies for under $10K and our callout replacement is priced below what I recall paying as a PD in the 1990s. For group clients we’re having great success with coordinated library tests (OMTs) and coordinated callout – running coordinated hooklists across co-owned, same-format stations to give maximal information for programmers and deep insights for format captains at a 50%-70% savings over the usual per market price.

With just a small cash outlay, we can make barter workable in a wide range of situations. Reach out to me at leigh@nuvoodoo.com for more information.

There’s an affordable rate for you. Come partner and reach 187 different countries.