Excellent work. Doesn't touch on the great change that the internet brought, which admittedly isn't clear from my original question :(
Wonder if those Zippia estimates include internet radio. Imagine it misses quite a bit given how difficult it would be to break down streamers on every platform.
If you are including streamers writ large, I would argue we are no longer really talking about the same thing. If we are talking about just internet radio, I would bet any paid, full time DJs there are intended to be included in the Zippia number.
There were essentially no video game DJs in the 1980s, though, so maybe what we seek from what media is just as responsible for the shift.
The original comment was referring to human tastemakers in contrast to algorithmically generated playlists.
It's this segment that I would have high doubts to have decreased even with the prevalence of infinite playlists.
Edit: Basically I don't agree with the premise that the way we consume music today is any less local or curated. There's just been a shift in the way we consume.
Wonder if those Zippia estimates include internet radio. Imagine it misses quite a bit given how difficult it would be to break down streamers on every platform.