LA Spanish-language radio show co-hosted by AI DJ 'Coyotec' expands to other markets, as radio workers push back
Entravision's José 97.5 FM in Los Angeles pairs human host Geraldine "GeeGee" Guzman with Coyotec, an AI co-host whose ElevenLabs synthetic voice is modelled on an Entravision executive. After a reported 75% audience gain, Entravision is rolling the show out to stations in other cities. The Los Angeles Times (Oct 2, 2026) reported that radio workers fear synthetic hosts will replace them.
Key facts
- Show: 'Al Aire y Sin Permiso' on José 97.5 FM (Los Angeles); AI co-host Coyotec alongside Geraldine 'GeeGee' Guzman
- Voice: an ElevenLabs synthetic voice modelled on Entravision Audio president Eduardo Maytorena (LA Times via Yahoo)
- Started as a weekend show in Sept 2025 and moved to weekday mornings soon after
- Entravision says weekly cume among Hispanic men 25–54 rose 75% (March–April); the figure comes from the company and is not independently audited
- Expansion: Inside Radio reports the 'GeeGee & Coyotec' show is going to five Fuego Network stations; the LA Times lists Sacramento, Modesto, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, El Paso and McAllen. Entravision bills it as the first human–AI Latino personality show in a bilingual format
- Context: US radio broadcasting jobs fell from ~85,000 (2019) to ~66,000 (2025); SAG-AFTRA requires consent, bargaining and pay for synthetic performances
What happened
A Spanish-language morning show on Entravision's José 97.5 FM has an AI co-host, Coyotec, that talks with human host GeeGee Guzman. Entravision credits it with a large audience gain and is extending the format to its Fuego Network stations, with English and bilingual versions in development. The LA Times story quotes former host John DeSantis: "If they expect authentic connection that live local DJs create, there's no chance."
Why it matters
It is an early example of a synthetic on-air radio personality that a company says has grown its audience in a major US market. It shows how cheaply cloned voices are entering traditional broadcasting and why media unions are pushing for consent and pay rules.
Changelog
- 2026-10-03: created (sweep 2026-10-03; Techmeme)
Sources (4)
- pressLos Angeles Times (Nilesh Christopher): An AI DJ became a radio star in LA. Human hosts aren't happy
- pressYahoo News syndication of the LA Times story
- pressInside Radio: Entravision expands AI co-hosted show across five markets
- discussionTechmeme summary
id: 2026-10-02-entravision-ai-dj-coyotec-expands · updated 2026-10-03 · open in the interactive timeline