IMUS

[cokebevis]

I find it shocking that someone can even attempt to defend the popularily of Imus... especially since he has none. His numbers have been terrible for years. His show is still on the air because SOMEHOW the WFAN sales department can sell it. They must have some stellar AEs over there (FAN is still the top billing station in the nation I believe) because there's NO WAY it's being sold based on his ratings. There must be some package deals over there.

Come on. Imus has no listeners. I know it and you know it. He should have retired years ago... he looks and sounds like a corpse.

The man must have pictures. I can't explain it any other way.

That has to be one of the most stupid posts that I have read about this entire thing. Are you really that stupid to think that he does not generate the revenue for FAN and MSNBC. His ratings might be at the top but his revenue has been and will continue to be at the top. His revenue generation per listener is higher than most if not all of those at #1. He appeals to listeners that have money and fit the demo that the advertisers want to target and they pay a pretty penny for it. If you owned MSNBC would you dedicate 3+ hours every morning to someone that had no listeners and generated no revenue. Educate yourself about a subject before you make a stupid post.

 

[livingfruitvirus]

The Fall 06 book says Imus has over 2.25 million listeners. To me, that's far from "no listeners."

For a nationally syndicated show, it may as well be. Those numbers are embarrassing.

So then what's acceptable? There aren't many talk show hosts who are above that. There's only five nationally syndicated hosts on commercial radio with more than 4 million listeners, and a lot of nationally syndicated hosts under 2 million listeners.

 

[DG02816]

Jeff,

I remember when WPHT sloughed Imus to put Smerconish on in the morning, thus opening PM drive for Sean Hannity. Imus bitched to no end about being put on WWDB, a 10 kW daytimer, and sister to WXTU.

Dave Gardiner

WVCH 740/WNWR 1540

Philadelphia

 

[jeffryan]

That has to be one of the most stupid posts that I have read about this entire thing. Are you really that stupid to think that he does not generate the revenue for FAN and MSNBC. His ratings might be at the top but his revenue has been and will continue to be at the top. His revenue generation per listener is higher than most if not all of those at #1. He appeals to listeners that have money and fit the demo that the advertisers want to target and they pay a pretty penny for it. If you owned MSNBC would you dedicate 3+ hours every morning to someone that had no listeners and generated no revenue. Educate yourself about a subject before you make a stupid post.

I think I can reply to this without calling you a name. Let's see.

When did I bring up revenue? I'm talking about the number of listeners he has. I did mention how shocked I am that WFAN is able to sell the show, which would imply that the show does in fact make money. My contention is that his ratings are not at the top as you stated. Pick up your station's latest Arbitron book... if you work in the business. You'll see how few listeners he has and how hard the sales departments have to work to sell the show. God bless 'em, because somehow they're able to get advertisers. Persuading them that he has "high end listeners" is a good way, but it doesn't take away from the fact that he's not as popular and as listened to as the media would have us believe... which was my point. I suppose you didn't read my post closely enough.

Yup, I was able to do it.

Dave - That's funny! Imus is such a tiny blip on the radar I didn't even realize until yesteday that his show is on the air right down the hall from us! Since DB is a daytimer, there are times of the year when DB can't even turn on the transmitter until 7:30am, thus eliminating half his show. I found out today that Westwood is actually PAYING us to carry the show because they want to clear Philly in the worst way. Pretty damn sad. And with the advent of the PPM system, Imus' numbers are going to be even lower than what they are now.... which will subsequently make the show even more difficult to sell.

As for the Imus' show itself, it's just downright terrible. I can't understand for the life of me how people can find that program entertaining. His heyday was back in the 70s and early 80s when he was a disc jockey. I would argue that the best talkshow hosts have been disc jockeys at one point in their careers. Imus is the exception to this rule, though. The only person I ever met in my entire life you actually enjoyed the show was a used car salesman! Kinda funny

 

[S DANMAN]

Jeff,

What is your problem with Imus? I know you personally, and am surprised by this edge you have about a very successful show. I also happen to be a 15 year fan of the show who listens daily. The voice guys Rob Bartlett and Larry Kenney are second to none. Their satirical bits are top shelf. As far as getting insight on news stories, you get the story on the Imus show first from actual newsmakers, and people in the know. I have learned a lot about how government works, and doesn't work from this show. Imus can certainly be a pompous ass personally, he is also self effacing, and takes a daily beating from his crew. He does that with good nature. Have you actually listened to the show that is in your own wheelhouse?

 

[jeffryan]

It's not an edge... I just don't get the show. What's entertaining about hearing "quack quack" going in and out of breaks? Dead Nixon? The man can't even speak clearly on the air, a fundamental part of hosting a talkshow, or any show. Trying to understand him through all the mumbling can really fatigue a listener. There are some talented talkshow hosts out there that I enjoy, but Imus is way past his prime in my opinion. And I have listened to the show... I was stuck running the board for his show a couple of times!

I will concede that he's much more popular in New England than in any other region of the country, and I can't figure out why that is since he has no connection to the area. My comments about Imus have been tame compared to what I'm reading on some of the other local boards.

 

[Skynet74]

I'm with Jeff on this one. By the way it's 1:38 AM. QUACK QUACK

 

[RadioRaheemRI]

I am not in the business. Just a complete radio head in my cube at work with my CC RAdio and Terk AM antenna LOL.
Imus is definitely an acquired taste. He appeals to us political junkies and anti PC heads who like over the top and crass humour. The guests are always cutting edge politically and from all different ideologies. You can listen from anywhere from Oliphant to Buchannan. Many Senators and think-tank heads, etc.. Benard the producer does great bits like Cardinal Egan and Mayor Nagin from New Orleans. Its always controversial. I wont defend Imus for his comments but in context Bernard is always stereotyping and thats where this was going. They routinely make fun of everybody and themselves all the time.
The term Ho?? That was not authored by caucasions. We have heard the usual arguments about how its ok for rappers and black comics to use these terms but I am not going there. Imus is definitely not a rapper so maybe he has no right using these terms. He definitely did not use it in malice only poor choice in a running bit.
Hey Imus aint for everyone. Just giving u some insight as to why this listener tunes in.