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Has right wing talk radio peaked ?
- Thread starter radiobum
- Start date
Z
zrl
Guest
radiobum said:
Well, I assume you are not a fan/ listener of conservative talk; but actually there are quite a few Republicans that get bashed for being RINOs (Republicans in name only)- that is not considered truly conservative by the host and/or listeners.
The most prominent conservative hosts base their philosophies on being pro-traditional values, small government and against "progressive" values & large government. And to be honest that would make it illogical for them to play middle-of-the-road and support liberal policies, even some of the time.
Now does it make for entertaining radio? that depends on the host IMO.
Its a niche format, and it still does well in its niche. Some folks would rather be impailed than listen to Sean Hannity on the radio. (Kind of how I feel about any CHR station). But the numbers for first & second tier talkers are still strong enough.
And next year when the Presidential race gets underway, it'll likely gain listeners. (Now I split between political talk, sports talk & alt rock; but I expect to become more politically focused once the primaries get underway).
zrl said:
The predictability and monothematic nature of these shows is bad enough, but when you have the star of conservative radio, Rush Limbaugh, having been addicted to painkillers--as well as multiple marriages, it makes the whole "traditional values" rap that much more an insult to anyone with a shred of integrity or intelligence.
How many people would listen if they promoted addictions and divorce?
Probably not the audience theyr'e getting now.
Probably not the audience theyr'e getting now.
quadraphonic said:
With that one you win this month's prize for Colorful Word Picture.
It boggles the mind to try and imagine what programming with that target-description would sound like!!! ;D
the sad thing is that you will see more right wing talk stations pop up with more of the same tired syndicated hosts giving out the same tired talking points. how many cities across the nation have multiple right wing stations and no liberal/progressive talk (and no national public radio does not count)? just a thought, but wouldn't more progressive stations make right wing talk better because different ideas are more easily disseminated?
as a radio listener it upsets me that we have a format that is either overexposed or unpopular (or both) and yet we see more of that format. that tells me a lot about the sales department of these stations. they can't (or won't) find clients to sell spots for other formats.
as a radio listener it upsets me that we have a format that is either overexposed or unpopular (or both) and yet we see more of that format. that tells me a lot about the sales department of these stations. they can't (or won't) find clients to sell spots for other formats.
I live in a pretty progressive city and the G.M. at the secondary conservative talk that usually gets a one share told me business people would not support progressive talk because most of them aren't progressive. I don't know if I buy that. Don't they care about potential customers ? Also wouldn't Hartmann, Miller, Schultz, Colmes etc. be a bigger draw for overnight listeners on a conservative talk than George Noory ?
radiobum said:
There are very valid reasons why there is a strong tendency for managers of business to adhere to conservative political views, and not be attracted to progressive views.
There is another factor: Customers with Conservative views can be rather outspoken about their views, and prone to act on their views. For a business to advertise on a Progressive station, or put posters in their window for events of a Progressive political group can result in some rather unpleasant tongue lashings from Conservative customers, and some flamboyant exits out the front door by Conservative customers who vow to never darken the door again.
Those would express themselves that way may be a small portion of the total Conservative population, but it is a scene that business managers in retail desire to avoid. And one way to avoid such scenes is to not sign a contract to advertise on a Progressive Programming station.
To answer your question: "Don't they care about potential customers?" Yes, and that includes their Conservative potential custopmers as well.
[/quote]
Some folks would rather be impailed than listen to Sean Hannity on the radio.
[/quote]
Hell, I'm a conservative and a colonoscopy sounds more appealing than listening to Hannity.. As far as the conservative talk format goes, as was said earlier the election will give it a nice boost. Also, expect it to gain steam again as talk radio migrates to FM.
Some folks would rather be impailed than listen to Sean Hannity on the radio.
[/quote]
Hell, I'm a conservative and a colonoscopy sounds more appealing than listening to Hannity.. As far as the conservative talk format goes, as was said earlier the election will give it a nice boost. Also, expect it to gain steam again as talk radio migrates to FM.
Customers with Conservative views can be rather outspoken about their views, and prone to act on their views. For a business to advertise on a Progressive station, or put posters in their window for events of a Progressive political group can result in some rather unpleasant tongue lashings from Conservative customers, and some flamboyant exits out the front door by Conservative customers who vow to never darken the door again.
It also works the other way too. Where Liberal customers can be rather out spoken about their views and be prone to act on those views. In the Wilmington Del. market (a blue county), two different AM's have had Rush's show (WDEL and WILM). Neither did well selling it. This is a moderate leaning left metro area, and from what I've been told by folks at both stations, is that local advertisers here are not comfortable advertising on Limbaugh or Hannity's show (probably Beck's show too now that one of our AM's is carrying it). Oddly enough though, even though this is a blue county, both WDEL and WILM beat the other in ratings during Rush's show, yet had trouble selling Rush's show here. When I listen in to Rush's show (now heard on WILM), that station plays a ton of PSA's and very few local spots during that show, yet they beat WDEL during that time slot. Yet, a talk station located 45 miles south in Dover WDOV (in a Red County) and one at the lower end of the state (a Red County) WGMD at Rehoboth Beach, Del, both get plenty of local spots during Limbaugh's show.
WDEL airs a local liberal talker during the time slot Glenn Beck is on WILM. WDEL has plenty of local spots, WILM with Beck, few to none. Yet, during AM drive, WILM has plenty of local spots even though their AM drive newsblock show has a conservative flavor to it that includes interviews with Fox News Radio reporters where the topic does get political. The show also gets good ratings.
So what works in one market may not work well in another, even with good ratings.
It also works the other way too. Where Liberal customers can be rather out spoken about their views and be prone to act on those views. In the Wilmington Del. market (a blue county), two different AM's have had Rush's show (WDEL and WILM). Neither did well selling it. This is a moderate leaning left metro area, and from what I've been told by folks at both stations, is that local advertisers here are not comfortable advertising on Limbaugh or Hannity's show (probably Beck's show too now that one of our AM's is carrying it). Oddly enough though, even though this is a blue county, both WDEL and WILM beat the other in ratings during Rush's show, yet had trouble selling Rush's show here. When I listen in to Rush's show (now heard on WILM), that station plays a ton of PSA's and very few local spots during that show, yet they beat WDEL during that time slot. Yet, a talk station located 45 miles south in Dover WDOV (in a Red County) and one at the lower end of the state (a Red County) WGMD at Rehoboth Beach, Del, both get plenty of local spots during Limbaugh's show.
WDEL airs a local liberal talker during the time slot Glenn Beck is on WILM. WDEL has plenty of local spots, WILM with Beck, few to none. Yet, during AM drive, WILM has plenty of local spots even though their AM drive newsblock show has a conservative flavor to it that includes interviews with Fox News Radio reporters where the topic does get political. The show also gets good ratings.
So what works in one market may not work well in another, even with good ratings.
MikefromDelaware said:
Seldom is life a simple black-and-white scenario. (Or should I have said Red-and-Blue?) ;D
All things being equal, there are several equations that are assumed to always work:
1. Big audience size ratings equal big sales income.
2. Top drawer talent/personalties results in bigger sales income.
But there are communities where ethnicity, religion or political trends that lay just below the surface can play havoc with equations that are assumed to always work.
Progressive talk, after several fits and starts is just beginning to find traction. Conservative talk still far outnumbers the progressive stations because it's widely assumed in the biz that's where more talk fans heads are (it isn't anymore. And it hasn't been for a few years.)
What's driving people away from conservative talk is, well, just look at what's coming out of the mouths of the GOP politicians (from Ron Paul's recent comments on FEMA as a hurricane is descending upon New York as I type this, to Eric Cantor's demands for more social spending cuts in exchange for earthquake help in his home district to Michele Bachmann's anti-gay remarks, et al.) Even many conservative pundits know they're in trouble with this bunch. ESPECIALLY with the swing voters. And MOST especially with those directly affected by these remarks.
It's not pushing the hardest conservatives the other way, hell no. Nothing will.
But those in the middle still FAR outnumber those on the hard-right. The Middle were the ones who drove conservative talk in their '90s heyday.
But now they're feeling alienated - even abandoned by the conservative talkers for their hardest core listeners. Which really aren't as many as the conservative talkers would like to imagine. Second, they can see exactly the same tactics they used against Clinton being used against Obama today
The other problem is the spin from these hosts to rationalize it is ALSO recycled. Almost line by line.
And the conservative talking points, to be honest, haven't changed much at all basically either. What people in the middle are looking for isn't another enemy, what they're looking for is a fair solution to our nation's problems. And conservative talkers (and the GOP politicians) cannot offer anything but a "my way or the highway" answer.
THIS is why it's having problems.
What's driving people away from conservative talk is, well, just look at what's coming out of the mouths of the GOP politicians (from Ron Paul's recent comments on FEMA as a hurricane is descending upon New York as I type this, to Eric Cantor's demands for more social spending cuts in exchange for earthquake help in his home district to Michele Bachmann's anti-gay remarks, et al.) Even many conservative pundits know they're in trouble with this bunch. ESPECIALLY with the swing voters. And MOST especially with those directly affected by these remarks.
It's not pushing the hardest conservatives the other way, hell no. Nothing will.
But those in the middle still FAR outnumber those on the hard-right. The Middle were the ones who drove conservative talk in their '90s heyday.
But now they're feeling alienated - even abandoned by the conservative talkers for their hardest core listeners. Which really aren't as many as the conservative talkers would like to imagine. Second, they can see exactly the same tactics they used against Clinton being used against Obama today
The other problem is the spin from these hosts to rationalize it is ALSO recycled. Almost line by line.
And the conservative talking points, to be honest, haven't changed much at all basically either. What people in the middle are looking for isn't another enemy, what they're looking for is a fair solution to our nation's problems. And conservative talkers (and the GOP politicians) cannot offer anything but a "my way or the highway" answer.
THIS is why it's having problems.
"Hell, I'm a conservative and a colonoscopy sounds more appealing"
Becareful what you wish for....Once I've got the reverb down, its hitting the airwaves.
Becareful what you wish for....Once I've got the reverb down, its hitting the airwaves.
I doubt if Hartmann is number one in Portland, the station only had a 0.7 in the last book.
The station in Las Vegas was never a factor with conservative talk (3rd or 4th tier syndicated stuff mostly) but the other two talkers in LV (KXNT-Limbaugh, Hannity and KDWN-Beck, Savage) are down from what they were a year ago.
I randomly looked over some ratings in non-PPM markets, where they list the ratings for the last several books... and in many, probably most, the talk stations were down this spring compared to the previous book and also compared to spring of last year. So I think the case could be made people are bored with the talk and either turning off the radio or switching to music stations.
The station in Las Vegas was never a factor with conservative talk (3rd or 4th tier syndicated stuff mostly) but the other two talkers in LV (KXNT-Limbaugh, Hannity and KDWN-Beck, Savage) are down from what they were a year ago.
I randomly looked over some ratings in non-PPM markets, where they list the ratings for the last several books... and in many, probably most, the talk stations were down this spring compared to the previous book and also compared to spring of last year. So I think the case could be made people are bored with the talk and either turning off the radio or switching to music stations.
J
jhguthlac
Guest
A factor that you are overlooking is the death of AM in general. In Wilmington, the lack of ads during Rush and Hannity is due to the inability of the Clear Channel sales reps to sell AM. They concentrate on the CC FMs, trying, but failing to sell WILM/WWTX and WDOV.
If Rush and Hannity are successful in finding more FM affiliates, the ratings would be much different.
If Rush and Hannity are successful in finding more FM affiliates, the ratings would be much different.
jhguthlac said:
Not always. In Las Vegas the Rush and Hannity station KXNT-AM a couple of years ago was getting a three share. It's now AM and full-power FM, and getting a two share. Their station in Little Rock (FM) was 11th overall in the last book, behind the black gospel station. It used to place much higher than that.
CC has been a leader in putting talk on FM (new stations, not simulcasting AMs) but the bloom may be off that rose. A few weeks ago, they moved their FM talk in Minneapolis to AM, and moved their sports station to the FM.
Conservative talk isn't down in every market, but it's down in a lot. It will be interesting to see if the ratings go back up as we get into the primary election season.
The liberal talk station (on FM) in Madison is up quite a bit, probably not a surprise considering the events this year in Madison. It probably has the highest share of any liberal station... a 3.9 in the last book... although that's behind Madison's Rush & Hannity station. Are there any other liberal talk stations that even get a two share?
I'm not a big Rush fan, but I'll tune in every once in a while. Frankly, I believe he's taking more time off as I hear fill in hosts far more often than in years past. Also, when I hear him, he sounds old and tired. The spark isn't what it used to be. He's not nearly as entertaining as he's been in the past. All of these things can also be why he's losing listeners in some markets. Come on, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to write his script. He's very predictable. Maybe its time for the next new idea for talk radio.
Frankly, I'd like to hear someone like Jim Bohannan from Westwood One get that noon-3pm daytime slot. Jim has interesting guests and is a good interviewer, who also takes questions. Bohannan is a conservative, but not a one side conservative. He does all sorts of topics and generally has an interesting show. I listen to him during the day online and hear his show from the night before.
Frankly, I'd like to hear someone like Jim Bohannan from Westwood One get that noon-3pm daytime slot. Jim has interesting guests and is a good interviewer, who also takes questions. Bohannan is a conservative, but not a one side conservative. He does all sorts of topics and generally has an interesting show. I listen to him during the day online and hear his show from the night before.
My guess....and it's just a guess....is that conservative talk will do relatively well through next year's elections. Beyond that, I think the future for the genre is in question. My personal feeling is the Republicans are well-positioned to grab both the senate and White House IF they can restrain themselves from nominating a slew of tea party hot-heads. If that happens, and the public as a whole rejects the Republican message as authored by its far right in the elections, then the Republican brand could be in serious trouble and drag right wing talk down with it. After all, most of history runs in cycles and most elements of pop culture have a limited shelf-life. The Limbaughs, Hannity's, Savages, etc. may well be approaching the end of theirs.
As for the progressive talkers.... In a perfect world, their audience would be roughly equal to that of the talkers on the right. But for a variety of reasons that hasn't happened. I travel the entire U.S (along with Canada and the U.K.) in my work, and I don't see the format gaining traction at all. It's easy to blame distribution problems, inferior signals, lack of superstar hosts, etc. That's probably part of it. But I think it also has to do with progressives perhaps not being fans of talk radio. Younger ones listening to music radio or Ipods....seniors more attracted to newspapers and TV.
I don't know....I'm just theorizing. But it's not hard to postulate a scenario where right wing talk radio's best days may be behind it.
As for the progressive talkers.... In a perfect world, their audience would be roughly equal to that of the talkers on the right. But for a variety of reasons that hasn't happened. I travel the entire U.S (along with Canada and the U.K.) in my work, and I don't see the format gaining traction at all. It's easy to blame distribution problems, inferior signals, lack of superstar hosts, etc. That's probably part of it. But I think it also has to do with progressives perhaps not being fans of talk radio. Younger ones listening to music radio or Ipods....seniors more attracted to newspapers and TV.
I don't know....I'm just theorizing. But it's not hard to postulate a scenario where right wing talk radio's best days may be behind it.
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