Next-Level Radio (Paperback)

Next-Level Radio is an essential guide to the radio industry in South Africa. This textbook explores each aspect of radio station management in detail – from the broad principles of allocating airtime, to the more intricate elements of content creation.

Students will learn how to schedule content and music, as well as how to utilise the available technologies to produce live shows. All of this serves to create a well-balanced broadcast. After exploring the practical aspects of radio broadcasting, the textbook considers important statistical research, as well as legal requirements that inform decision-making by station managers. Case studies are also included, to provide insight into the industry and its workings.

Finally, Next-level Radio covers the management of talent, such as guest DJs, celebrities and live performers.

About the authors:

Grant Nash
Having spent almost two decades in the South African radio industry, Grant Nash has developed a flair for radio that has turned out to be as prolific (if not more prolific) behind the scenes as it was behind the mic. Nash's career started at Tuks FM, where he co-hosted with Anele Mdoda. Together, they went on to co- host shows at 947 and 5FM. Nash’s on-air experience is vast, and has become the cornerstone of his radio programming accomplishments. Nash’s intricate understanding of the radio medium has ultimately empowered his current roles as Programme Manager at 947 and Knowledge Manager for radio at Boston Media House. Having also worked as Programming Manager at 5FM, and now co-authoring South Africa's first radio textbook titled Next-level Radio, it is clear that Nash has played a vital role in shaping new radio paradigms, and guiding the local industry into our brave new world of media and communications.

Justine Cullinan
Justine Cullinan spent over seven years as Marketing Manager and then Station Manager at the iconic national radio station, 5FM. During this time, she collected numerous awards, and launched the station’s first dedicated social media and digital content strategy, which gave rise to 5FM TV as well as the station’s first online documentary series. Cullinan also established the 5FM Mentorship Programme, and developed and launched the first digital rate card within the South African radio industry. In 2017, she published a case study in the Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies journal, titled 5FM: Youth radio in the digital age. In addition to these achievements, Cullinan taught Channel and Media Planning at Vega School for numerous years. She remains actively involved in the academic development of curriculums and examinations – which she attributes to her passion for education and readying young South Africans for the world of work.