Could Rush Lose Number One?

[fred flintstone]

The Fairness Doctrine did not thwart political talk radio. This is a canard constantly repeated until it has become accepted as Gospel.

The fact is hosts like Joe Pyne, Larry George and Bob Grant were going strong long before the end of the Fairness Doctrine. Rush was doing the same act in Sacramento under the Fairness Doctrine, and before him, so was Morton Downey, Jr.

Rush went into syndication at a time when technology made syndicated talk feasible (satellite distribution and fiber optic long distance) had come into play. Other hosts came on board when Rush demonstrated syndicated talk would work (even in markets in which local-live talk had been available).

Local-live talk is an expensive format. Before Rush and syndication, it was restricted to larger markets. In the great scheme of things, smaller markets don't matter much. The top 25 markets account for almost half the population of all rated radio markets (the top 50 markets are close to two-thirds) and - even more important - a disproportionately large share of all radio revenue. Yes, Wichita may have no choice but to stay syndicated or drop the format. But that is not true of Rush's major affiliates.

Possibly you should look to your own biases. Rush is a talented broadcaster, with close to 40 years "town to town, up and down the dial." However, nobody or nothing lasts forever in radio (with the possible exception of The Opry, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and - maybe - Paul Harvey). IMHO: Rush has gotten tired and/or his act has gotten tired. I think it is fair to say he may have stayed too long at the party. I don't think he's still "having more fun than any human being has a right to have." Even so, none of his competitors are able to touch him. The question is: Will Rush be smart enough to leave while the audience is still wanting more?

 

[tbetz]

The ONLY reason that Pennsylvania is not considered "chicken and beer in the gas stations" country is because our arcane liquor laws (that were written by Amish people in colonial times), do not allow the sale of beer, except in government-blessed monopoly shops.

When I lived in Warren back in the early 70s, we used to have beer delivered like milk to our back porch. Do they still do that in PA?

 

[fred flintstone]

PA still has unusual liquor laws.
Beer Distributors sell beer by the case (and only by the case). By the case, PA has some of the cheapest beer in the country. And some distributors do offer home delivery.
Bars and Delis sell six packs and individual cans/bottles. The price for take-out beer is the same as you'd pay to have a beer in a bar. As a result the price of two six packs is about the same as a case of the same brand from a distributor.
Bars and distributors have a vested interest in protecting their turf (and in keeping six packs expensive and beer out of supermarkets), so they give lots of money to members of the legislature.

The arcane liquor laws were not written by the Amish (who were not a controlling force in PA politics at any time). They were written after the repeal of prohibition by a governor who favored prohibition. He couldn't stop repeal but he was not going to make it easy or cheap to get booze either. On top of the situation with beer, wine and liquor can only be purchased in state liquor stores (a whole 'nother story).

One good thing about PA liquor laws: They do promote Pennsylvania breweries and keep regional and micro brands widely available.

Interesting note: Several years ago, I saw in a broadcasting/advertising reference that the Philadelphia market has the highest per capita consumption of beer in the country. Back when brewers advertised, Philly did have a lot of beer ads.
Schmidt's (of Philadelphia - not the Minnesota Schmidt)
Ortleibs (the brewery is now a jazz club)
Piels (Bert and Harry, voiced by the legendary Bob and Ray)
Schaefer (the one beer to have when you're having more than one)
Ballentine (the one with the three rings Martin Crane drinks)
Rheingold (the dry beer)
Natty Bho (brewed on the shores of Chesapeake Bay)
Plus the national brands.

There was a brand called Griesedieck's but they had to change the name to Falstaff because radio stations wouldn't accept ads for them.

 

[kaufcom]

The Fairness Doctrine did not thwart political talk radio.  This is a canard constantly repeated until it has become accepted as Gospel. The fact is hosts like Joe Pyne, Larry George and Bob Grant were going strong long before the end of the Fairness Doctrine.  Rush was doing the same act in Sacramento under the Fairness Doctrine, and before him, so was Morton Downey, Jr.  Rush went into syndication at a time when technology made syndicated talk feasible (satellite distribution and fiber optic long distance) had come into play.  Other hosts came on board when Rush demonstrated syndicated talk would work (even in markets in which local-live talk had been available).

Excellent point.  People keep bringing up the Fairness Doctrine as if that is what kept political talk off the radio.  If someone, can come up with one ruling of the Fairness Doctrine that had an impact on talk radio, I'd like to hear it.  The Fairness Doctrine was almost universally applied to the TV industry.  It was long associated with the editorial replies which TV stations were required to make and which Gilda Radner made famous on Saturday Night Live.  It had almost zero impact on the radio business. 

 

[RadioMoo]

Rush has more money than he needs.

He should be able to afford a lifetime supply of OxyContin.

How sick and desperate this business is that it would give air time and total creative freedom to people who are clearly psychotic (Rush, O'Reilly, G. Gordon Liddy) and let them act out their anger and their delusions - and their greed - in front of thousands or millions of people like circus freaks.