The Media Show Viral videos shaping reporting in Minnesota, Radio 1’s Christmas Presenter Takeover, Algorithm Transparency and Skyscraper Live
Jan 28, 2026
James Ball, tech journalist and author who explains social media algorithms. Aled Haydn Jones, Radio 1 controller shaping young-audience programming and the Christmas Presenter Takeover. Meg Anderson, NPR Minneapolis reporter covering bystander videos and on-the-ground verification. They discuss algorithm transparency, how viral footage shapes reporting, Radio 1’s presenter experiment, and the ethics of live spectacle.
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Episode notes
Learn The Desk, Then Take Risks
- Learn the studio desk basics and grow technical confidence over time to take creative risks live.
- Use production tools to craft a listening journey and enhance curation.
Radio Survives As Communal Listening
- Young audiences use streaming and radio differently; radio remains a communal, passive experience.
- Three quarters of UK young people still listen weekly, but their audio habits are nuanced.
Algorithms Are Personalized Schedulers
- Algorithms tailor feeds using signals like watch time, likes, and swipes to keep users engaged.
- They act like TV scheduling but respond to subtle behavioural signals from each user.
