An AI-Powered Shark, Thanks To Super Hi-Fi

A Beasley Media Group-owned Rock station serving the Tampa-St. Petersburg market has officially been “relaunched,” and is now “fully powered” by an artificial intelligence-driven operating system developed by Super Hi-Fi.

Now employing the AI-fueled technology is WPBB “98.7 The Shark,” and it is a shift that marks the first deployment of Super Hi-Fi’s technology on a 50kw HD1 signal.

What does this mean? “The entire station will now be capable of full remote operations from a laptop literally anywhere worldwide,” the company said. With “flexibility and efficiency” key selling points, the company added, “This advancement elevates listener engagement and solidifies Beasley’s commitment to innovation and excellence in serving its communities.”

Where does the human touch, if any, come into play for The Shark? Super Hi-Fi explained, “With this new operational model, human talent continues to program the music and host all personalities, ensuring the station retains its authentic touch.” The integration of Super Hi-Fi’s AI-enabled, cloud-based system “revolutionizes the station’s programming, management, voice-tracking, updating, and delivery.”

Translation: The Shark has “moved to the cloud”, with Super Hi-Fi’s stream delivered directly to an optimized transmitter-based playout system.

“This strategic set of upgrades positions Beasley at the forefront of the industry’s digital transformation, showcasing a new way to deliver radio that reduces complexity and costs while enhancing the listener experience,” Super Hi-Fi said.

Beasley Media Group Chief Executive Officer Caroline Beasley said, “We’re excited to begin the deployment of Super Hi Fi’s technology in Tampa, marking another key milestone in our AI and technology roadmap. This technology enables us to deliver our broadcast in a cloud-to-ground approach that streamlines operations and prepares the stations for the future. This launch enhances our station’s capabilities, underscores our commitment to integrating innovative technologies that enrich the listener experience and positions us at the forefront of the evolving audio landscape.”

Zack Zalon, Co-Founder and CEO of Super Hi-Fi, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration. He said, “We are thrilled to work with Beasley on their roadmap for the future. The legacy of Beasley’s innovations in radio is already a huge part of the industry’s history, so it’s an honor to have the opportunity to work alongside them as they help carve the next step for radio.”