Supposedly Rush and Howie and maybe Savage too were RKO's strongest performers...I know Howie was #1 in one ratings period not too long ago. As far as Rush goes, well I've been told they paid $1 mil per yr for Rush and maybe he's worth it in terms of billing, if not ratings. He may "bill" well even if ratings seem lackluster. And his demos may skew older than other age groups...
btw on the RKO site this week Rush is still mentioned on the Complete Schedule page and on the page introducing
Manning it is said he is "replacing Rush Limbaugh". But note on the mini schedule on the main page it says
"Charley Manning 12-3 pm starting March 8" not "Rush Limbaugh". So, "Rush who?" here. Wolfe is probably putting a shine on a sneaker re: Rush and if asked about him he'd probably say, well, his day is gone, he was good years ago but we're heading in a new direction.
Well nationwide he is still ranked as the #1 talker with about 15 million listeners and Beck and Hannity have
fairly good numbers too. The man who was once DJ "Jeff Christie" on a Pittsburgh area station did a lot for
talk radio including comedy bits, top 40-like bumper jingles with his name, and so on...he made appointment listening for many and helped conservative talk radio establish itself across the country. Different from the
more laid back, dignified old days of talk. And his ratings, billings, and his salary show he's still got some appeal out there.
"shock jock"--is Rush a DJ? Does he play lots of songs? I do note over the years newspapers will refer to talk hosts as "DJs" --guess it takes up less space in headlines. There are probably shock jocks across the political spectrum. I can think of one known as The King of All Media, and he ain't no conservative...is he called a liberal shock jock?
