Howie Carr

[And Awaayy We Go!!]

I was out of town in the Carolinas when Howie came back. How did he justify his absence? Did he discuss his situation on-the-air?

 

[Sandy Cove]

He didn't.

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

He hardly needed to justify something that was in all the newspapers and every online blog and message board imaginable. Anything he said about it upon his return would have been redundant.

 

[spt87]

Actually, shortly into the first hour of his first show back he mentioned having been out on "jury duty". Even now there are still joking references to his salary being high and I've also heard him mention that things were worked out to his satisfaction. Has been kept low key on air, though.

 

[oldface]

I'm curious who is Howie Carr's target audience? I am a 39 year old male and I do not no one person in my age group that listens to his show. My friends either listen to BZ or EEI on AM. Is he targeting the upper demo of the 25-54 audience?

I just find it funny that so much attention is giving to this guy who gets dismantled by Ordway in the afternoon ratings. I believe TSBENCH mentioned in one of his post, that if Carr was given the morning slot at TKK, he would be lucky to crack the top ten.

 

[radiodouble]

Actually, shortly into the first hour of his first show back he mentioned having been out on "jury duty". Even now there are still joking references to his salary being high and I've also heard him mention that things were worked out to his satisfaction. Has been kept low key on air, though.

for his sake, let's hope income tax and 40b ballot questions get defeated and republicans lose the white house.
otherwise, he'll lose whatever is left of his quickly eroding wrko audience most of whom will be listening on-line from places raleigh and jacksonville.

 

[raccoonradio]

45, and I love listening to Howie, Laura Ingraham, and Phil Hendrie.
Why all the fuss over Howie? He does pretty well in ratings & billing--if
he didn't, they woulda said go ahead, go to morning drive on FM--see if we care.

Even if GOP won White House he'd still have a lot of things to talk about; as long as 98 per cent of
pols in this state are Dems and/or liberal, etc. Eroding audience? Actually with the elections upcoming
it should increase. May not be as big as Big Show, but if you're Entercom would you rather have
Howie in afternoon drive or Feinburg?

 

[WVCAfan]

He did mention today how his free car had been taken away from him and he's looking for a new donor, a beemer.

 

[Finn]

45, and I love listening to Howie, Laura Ingraham, and Phil Hendrie.
Why all the fuss over Howie? He does pretty well in ratings & billing--if
he didn't, they woulda said go ahead, go to morning drive on FM--see if we care.

Even if GOP won White House he'd still have a lot of things to talk about; as long as 98 per cent of
pols in this state are Dems and/or liberal, etc. Eroding audience? Actually with the elections upcoming
it should increase. May not be as big as Big Show, but if you're Entercom would you rather have
Howie in afternoon drive or Feinburg?

Just curious raccoon. have you ever bought anything advertised on the Howie Carr show?

 

[raccoonradio]

A car from Ira, for one...I eat at the 99 all the time. etc

 

[ChrisNH]

I refuse to subsidize Entercom stations, so I haven't tuned in WEEI or WRKO since the summer. And as much as I like Howie, I hate Entercom more. And I do like contributing to the continued decline in ratings at WRKO. It's fun seeing the numbers and knowing that I helped!

But getting back to Howie: Has his focus on government 'hacks' (defined as public-official people who pull in big bucks through corruption/'double-dipping' and/or don't work a full day) been neutered somewhat by the realization that he makes even bigger bucks and doesn't work a full day himself? I mean, he's not going home to his house at 1:30pm to crack open a beer and watch Judge Judy while still on the dole like 'Hacks' do, but he can't convince people he's a 9-to-5 guy either.

 

[bjohns]

I'm a real talk radio fan and listen to everyone except Finneran, not because of ethics or anything, but because he sucks so much it makes my ears bleed.

What I'm noticing with Howie and Imus is how much they are same ol, same ol. They both seem so tired, so yesterdays news.

Rush is great, and when I check out Eagan and Brody they sound good, too. And they have been around a long time in radio. So its not because Imus and Howie are old or whatever.

I can't explain it but a friend of mine said it sounds like the way-back machine from Mr. Peabody. Radio from 5 years ago broadcasting into today.

After all the newspaper stories and controversy, I'm already thinking what's the big deal? Its same ol same ol.

 

[Dark Knight]

I refuse to subsidize Entercom stations, so I haven't tuned in WEEI or WRKO since the summer. And as much as I like Howie, I hate Entercom more. And I do like contributing to the continued decline in ratings at WRKO. It's fun seeing the numbers and knowing that I helped!

Wow, talk about a bad case of EDS...sorry to burst your bubble pal, but unless you have an Arbitron diary, or you are spending time seeking out people who do, you have no effect on WRKO's numbers at all. Also, you read way too much of Maloney's Baloney (a far more apt title for his blog than "Save WRKO", btw). Finneran is challenged for sure, but his cume has increased among A25-54 and his numbers in certain demos now exceed the former TP occupant. Additionally, Finneran's connections and ability to sell advertisers have brought more $ to the station in AM drive than the station has seen in some years. Not to mention the fact that he commands a higher average unit rate than the previous show and the sponsorable features are in greater demand. As far as the actual show, I enjoyed the Major Garrett segment (it started already) and when he talks politics in general, he's not too bad. That said, still way too many personal references, "and the likes" and non-confrontation for my liking, but the guy is nine months into his radio career, so he should get a little slack.

Does WRKO have a long way to go? You bet, and I think you have a point in your criticism of Howie's show, but now that he is back, the station is regaining the advertisers lost when he left. Revenue wise, Entercom will once again have an up year in a down market, so they must be doing something right. (I suppose one could argue that it is the Red Sox, but hey, didn't Greater Media think they signed them too?)

 

[Infidel]

Howie may sound like he did when he left, but callers sure sound glad that he is back.

Imus, on the other hand, still sounds half asleep.

 

[BRNout]

Personally, I am enjoying the same ol', same ol'! I liked Howie's show before and I still like it now. Being out of town much (but not all) of the time, I listen via the web.

Then, upon leaving work at 5:30, I hop in the car to the sounds of Hannity on our local talker WPHT. It's is a very shocking reality check. Let me tell you, Hannity is an absolute bore when compared with Howie. Howie's show sounds damn fresh in comparison. While Hannity and those of his ilk spend all day banging the political drum, at least Howie mixes up his topic selection. He's entertaining and fun. Is some humor in bad taste? Sure. But on the whole, his show is entertaining. More so than many of the successful nationally syndicated hosts.

Another good talker is Glenn Beck, but lets not go off on that tangent.

 

[raccoonradio]

Hannity can be OK and I heard a bit of him while Howie was off but Howie is indeed better. Ingraham's
show is good too. You are right: Hannity is strictly politics. Laura can also be a lot of politics and
can be a bit preachy (pornification of America, etc) but has nice features like Guess the Guest on
Larry King, Sound Bite Contest, Fridays with Byron, etc.

>>at least Howie mixes up his topic selection

indeed