New YFM DJ lineup released

The new sound of YFM will launch with Bridget Masinga and AK Shabalala hosting the 6am – 9am Breakfast show. The show will be hosted the two on alternate weeks with well-known and much loved personalities co-hosting – from TV, comedy, entertainment (society and celeb gossip) and the music industry.

“As one of the youngest radio programming managers in the country, my primary goal was to really push the younger generation of South African radio talent,” comments Zondi.

“I strongly believe that the only people who can convincingly engage, talk to, inspire and entertain the youth are people that fall very closely within the same age group. Our new lineup is exciting, diverse and truly representative of young South Africans today.”

Appoint younger DJs

The past year has seen young DJs taking a significant share of audience; this has subsequently influenced the station to appoint younger DJs and place existing young talent into primetime programming. This youth trend can also be seen across YFM's programming schedule and behind the scenes in areas such as show producing, engineering and sales and marketing.

According to the station, one of most significant projects it launched last year is the Y Academy, an initiative to formalise the process of talent identification and recruitment of young radio talent. This intensive training program exposes post tertiary candidates to all the key elements of radio broadcasting. A critical outcome of the program is the skilled pool of fresh young talent who can make a meaningful contribution to the industry. The station is then able to select the training programme's star performers and add them to its existing pool of talent.

“As a youth station we are passionate about ensuring that we remain 100% committed to our core audience of 16 – 24 year old listeners,” explains Zondi.

“Young urban South Africans are creating their own very unique landscape and they are in the best position to define their daily experiences. They are just as comfortable relaxing with their friends in Alexandra as they are hanging out a one of Sandton's new hotspots. Our new DJ line up will strongly embrace our township roots whilst also indulging a little in the more suburban scenario. This will come through over the airwaves and also in the way in which we plan to engage with our listeners at a grassroots level.”

Local content quota

YFM is also increasing its self-imposed local music content quota from 50% to 60%.

The new lineup is as follows:

Monday to Friday

Saturday

Sunday

• Do you think this lineup is this for real or an April Fool's joke? Cast your vote and have your say in our poll for this week.