Audacy Events - $50 to attend debate with local talk show hosts

[tapesfromtheradio]

My local Audacy conservative talk station, WRVA, is hosting an interesting event next month called “Politics and Pints.” Their AM & PM drive hosts, who both lean far to the right politically, are speaking and debating various issues on stage at a local theater, along with a regular guest on their shows who is the “liberal” of the group. Tickets are $50 and sold directly through Audacy Events (link here).

I’m not going to pay $50 to hear the same talking points I can hear for free on the radio, but WRVA seems to do well in the ratings and their hosts’ Facebook pages have a ton of engaged listeners. I’ve never seen a radio station charge for a meet & greet type event, but at $50 a pop and about 250 seats in the theater, this seems like a clever revenue grab for the “top fans” of WRVA. Never seen anything quite like this in other markets.

Does Audacy (or any of its competitors) put on any similar paid events elsewhere? Usually when local personalities are out & about in the community, it’s for a live remote at a car dealer or other sponsor’s place of business.

 

[gr8oldies]

My local Audacy conservative talk station, WRVA, is hosting an interesting event next month called “Politics and Pints.” Their AM & PM drive hosts, who both lean far to the right politically, are speaking and debating various issues on stage at a local theater, along with a regular guest on their shows who is the “liberal” of the group. Tickets are $50 and sold directly through Audacy Events (link here).

I’m not going to pay $50 to hear the same talking points I can hear for free on the radio, but WRVA seems to do well in the ratings and their hosts’ Facebook pages have a ton of engaged listeners. I’ve never seen a radio station charge for a meet & greet type event, but at $50 a pop and about 250 seats in the theater, this seems like a clever revenue grab for the “top fans” of WRVA. Never seen anything quite like this in other markets.

Does Audacy (or any of its competitors) put on any similar paid events elsewhere? Usually when local personalities are out & about in the community, it’s for a live remote at a car dealer or other sponsor’s place of business.

We're talking a couple of decades ago, but WLW hosted a couple of Frequent Caller Days at a bar with a live audience. I don't remember if there was an admission charge.

 

[Larry]

I vaguely remember WPHT in Philly doing something similar. I’m assuming some of the ticket price is going to expenses of the event (theater rental) so it’s not 100% profit.