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Brokered Radio Hosts

J

jojobinks

I was reading an article, posted here http://www.radio-info.com/news/sout...t-is-busted-for-fraud-in-alleged-ponzi-scheme regarding a local brokered host being busted for fraud. It got me to thinking about brokered radio hosts in general...on all AM's down here. I had to laugh that the host (and just about everybody on the AM dial) being referred to as "talk show host."

First, in most cases, these guys who buy airtime are not "talk show hosts," they are "advertisers." Their "talk show" is not a "show" its an an "infomerical" for their product or services, or to stroke their own egos. Mostly to stoke egos.

Anyway. although these "radio gods" refer to themselves or think of themselves as "air talent," they possess no talent or ability to entertain. And if you've experienced these guys in person, you know a brokered host is the most arrogant *#*$ that you'll ever meet. Its amazing how a mic and a headset can magnify bad behavior.

As for the stations themselves, I wouldn't even call these stations "talk stations," as their overall quality rates somewhere between dead air and a late night infomerical for some miracle mop running on Lifetime. As one of my cohorts said long ago, its, "if the check clears, you're on the air, radio," and "as long as the needles move, we don't care radio." And that couldn't be closer to the truth.

I call them "snake oil outlets." With all technology available, with all the programming choices available, the only programming solutions they can come up with is wall to wall/back to back prerecorded infomericals for health drinks, financial miracle cures? Just an endless stream of one snake oil shiller after anohter, providing no entertainment value.

Then if that isn't bad enough, the AM's open the airwaves to an endless stream of poorly produced creole/carribean programming that renders the stations to that of the quality of the pirate, with the overmodulation, screaming into mics. Yeah, it makes money, but aren't these operator embarrassed on how horrible the overall sound of their station is?

I know why these stations do it. You have to make a profit and remain solvent. But why is it so hard for these AM stations to find a line between profit and quality. When will operators get back to providing programming of the highest common demoninator, and show some respect and uphold some values as a licensed operator by the FCC? When?
 
jojobinks said:
I know why these stations do it. You have to make a profit and remain solvent. But why is it so hard for these AM stations to find a line between profit and quality. When will operators get back to providing programming of the highest common demoninator, and show some respect and uphold some values as a licensed operator by the FCC? When?
Click to expand...

Because they've fired all the people who actually care.
 
A better term for brokered "hosts" would be "radio johns", as they are to real talk radio hosts as a husband is to a john, and they are the customers for a rather unsavory form of prostitution.

Florida seems to be one of the worst for outbreaks of brokered radio, with its surplus of boiler room operators and quack health promoters.
 
When I listen to some of these guys for a long period of time it can be hard not to get sucked in. Especially when they're familiar with a field you're not familiar with, and they really know how to sound like they know what they're talking about. Ever tried listening to WHNZ in Tampa? Loaded with that stuff. I recently heard a show called Mortgage Makeovers, hosted by Ken Michaels, on XM 165. He kept saying how some company was going to bury your lender, and anyone who called in with a mortgage problem, his solution was always the same: Call a number and join a class action lawsuit. Awful.

There is one brokered show that started and ended in one day that I'm rather curious about. At least I hope it was brokered. Roughly 3 weeks ago, Porter Stansberry, of Endofamerica(insertnumber).com, started a show called Stansberry Radio. He was doing it out of the Clear Channel Cincinnati studios, but feeding it nationally. It was broadcast one Saturday afternoon and after that, it never aired again. http://stansberryradio.com still directs you to the iheartradio stream you could hear it on.

It wouldn't be fair to talk about brokered programming without acknowledging some happier endings. Dave Ramsey started out buying time on Christian AM stations. One could argue his opinions about money, as well as his cult like fans, but I share his opinions about debt and the fact is stations now come to him. Cigar Dave's show began as a brokered one-hour Saturday show on 620 WSUN (now WDAE). Now he's a first-string syndicated show on the weekends.
 
And here is another one: http://www.radio-info.com/news/former-kfxr-1190-dallas-talk-host-heads-to-prison. Again, referring to this individual as a talk host? He's anything but...so what is he then?

And Smedge 2006 nails it.
smedge2006 said:
A better term for brokered "hosts" would be "radio johns", as they are to real talk radio hosts as a husband is to a john, and they are the customers for a rather unsavory form of prostitution.
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The guy is a "radio john," ....among other things. But he's not a talk host or an air talent, or an entertainer.

The irony is that the "radio john" goes to prison, but the station operator feels no legal repercussions. Why? Because the station ran a pre and post show disclaimer? So the "the john" can do on the air and to say and do as they please? As I said in my first post, the operators MUST get back to providing programming of the highest common demoninator, show some respect and uphold some values as a licensed operator by the FCC. They need to be responsible in serving the public in the listening area of the station.

The operators need to start taking responsibility for the content of their radio stations. This “if the check clears, its on the air” mentality has to stop. Garbage is garbage…I don’t care how many times you “disclaim” it.
 
I stand humbled and corrected. When you're right...your right. Brokered radio can cultivate new talent. Excellent view point!

livingfruitvirus said:
It wouldn't be fair to talk about brokered programming without acknowledging some happier endings. Dave Ramsey started out buying time on Christian AM stations. One could argue his opinions about money, as well as his cult like fans, but I share his opinions about debt and the fact is stations now come to him. Cigar Dave's show began as a brokered one-hour Saturday show on 620 WSUN (now WDAE). Now he's a first-string syndicated show on the weekends.
Click to expand...
 
smedge2006 said:
A better term for brokered "hosts" would be "radio johns", as they are to real talk radio hosts as a husband is to a john, and they are the customers for a rather unsavory form of prostitution.

Florida seems to be one of the worst for outbreaks of brokered radio, with its surplus of boiler room operators and quack health promoters.
Click to expand...

Just kind of wondering, what is a less unsavory form of prostitution?
 
smedge2006 said:
A better term for brokered "hosts" would be "radio johns", as they are to real talk radio hosts as a husband is to a john, and they are the customers for a rather unsavory form of prostitution.
Click to expand...

"The radio owners are a bunch of prostitutes." That was an actual quote from longtime Philadelphia brokered radio host Ron (R.J.) Joseph.
 
Don't just blame local radio stations...Have you watched local TV on the weekends?

They have been broadcasting whores for years now - All of them.

Years ago you could never buy your way on to channel 10 or channel 4 on a Sunday at 1pm but now that's all they run and how many times can you watch the same stuff over and over.

No wonder people are going to the internet for entertainment and with new websites like www.SoFloTelevision.com at least the honor to serve the local area is still alive.

I would say more but I must run for my Lifestyle Lift now.
 
apolasky said:
No wonder people are going to the internet for entertainment and with new websites like SoFloTelevision at least the honor to serve the local area is still alive.
Click to expand...

Alan,

It's easier to list your websites in your signature.

apolasky said:
I would say more but I must run for my Lifestyle Lift now.
Click to expand...

Is this after you smoke a carton? Just asking... ;D
 
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