Here are some practical tips for developing and maintaining this chemistry, ensuring a show's success:

When we were kids and didn't want to partner up with another kid for a game, we would try to find an excuse or avoid eye contact, hoping to be left out or paired with someone else.

Years later, you find your potential partner on Tinder and realise your match doesn't live up to their profile. The relationship is unlikely to succeed from the get go. 

South African radio stations have a unique way of pairing two co-hosts. Sometimes, it works out in their favour, and other times, it's a complete mess. Usually, the motives are a strategic decision aimed at:

  • maximising listener experience
  • creating compelling content, and
  • building a loyal audience base. 

The idea of pairing two radio hosts seems like the best way forward, but more often than not, the chemistry feels imbalanced.

Take Gabz FM’s The Midday Fix Reloaded, hosted by Swift Mpoloka and Samantha Mogwe based in Botswana. The midday to 15:00 show comprises two talented individuals, yet strikingly different personalities.

On one hand, Mpoloka delivers the show with a dash of wit and energy. On the other hand, Mogwe delivers the show with elegance and refinement — the perfect yin and yang. It's clear that the co-hosts are well aware of their different personalities but somehow find a clear balance and connection. 

However, when two radio hosts do find a balance, their show radiates with magic. With the right co-host, a unique dynamic can be created to offer a better listening experience for your audience.

Not to mention, it's much easier to hold a conversation and tackle nuanced subjects, but it does come with technical challenges. The more people behind the microphone means more potential like crosstalk and distractions that might make for a complicated show.

Here are some tips:

Designate a Director

Designate a single person for the show's timing and switching from one topic to the next.

Play to Your Strengths

You should have an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of your co-host. It's important know what people are naturally good at or feel comfortable doing.

Pre-plan

Spend more time in the planning phase of the show. A good content script will guide the overall flow and pacing of the radio show. It also eliminates the need for guessing when you'll get to a particular topic or segment.

Be Disciplined With the Mic

When a topic sparks a really passionate conversation, it gets the better of our discipline. Non-verbal communication cues with one another go a long way. It makes a significant improvement to the flow of the show and listener experience.

Having a co-host is vibrantly refreshing, but it is not necessary. However, radio stations should not get too obsessed with the idea of always pairing two individuals. It needs to be purposeful and natural. It takes two to tango.

For more information, visit www.iono.fm. 

*Image courtesy of contributor