A whole week on John Kerry and today and all-day commercial for every GOP candidate running. I'm a moderate conservative and even I find it transparent and embarassing. Very sad for the format, sad for radio. Here we are during an election year where talk numbers should be huge, and they're on the wane. Do you think predictability and arrogrance have finally caught up with this format?
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Is Political Talk Talked Out?
- Thread starter starboy
- Start date
R
Radio_Realist
Guest
Do you think predictability and arrogrance have finally caught up with this format?
No, it hasn't.
No, it hasn't.
With the election results last night, N/T has a fresh 2 years of fodder! ;D
A
AKLes
Guest
No analysis, just reflection on history....
Political talk radio, as formats go, is getting long in the tooth.
No format lasts forever and this one has far outlasted most.
The election kept it alive. The results will sustain it for a bit but, once
life settles into a routine, the audience will dwindle and, at least around
the edges, non-dominant stations will drift off to other formats. A few
big names will persist, some longer than prudence in intertainment
might suggest. Those who hang on too long will lose their place in
broadcast history.
Not quite the same, but Paul Harvey shoulda quit when he was ahead; he
is slowly becoming a parody of himself.
Big unanswered question is whether ANY new format will come along to
dominate so heavily and, if so, what it might be. Somehow I don't
think there will be an outstanding one; just a lot of waffling about with
formats for some time....
Political talk radio, as formats go, is getting long in the tooth.
No format lasts forever and this one has far outlasted most.
The election kept it alive. The results will sustain it for a bit but, once
life settles into a routine, the audience will dwindle and, at least around
the edges, non-dominant stations will drift off to other formats. A few
big names will persist, some longer than prudence in intertainment
might suggest. Those who hang on too long will lose their place in
broadcast history.
Not quite the same, but Paul Harvey shoulda quit when he was ahead; he
is slowly becoming a parody of himself.
Big unanswered question is whether ANY new format will come along to
dominate so heavily and, if so, what it might be. Somehow I don't
think there will be an outstanding one; just a lot of waffling about with
formats for some time....
T
tjthedj
Guest
You guys that dis Paul Harvey amaze me. You should have HIS ratings. He IS the #1 network news show, right?
He's on the biggest stations around, some 3 or more times a day (they even rerun his stuff later in the day). He's an EASY sell in large or small markets. He can deliver annual contracts for small markets.
I'm not a fan of his politics, he sometimes whistles when he talks, but let's hear you when you are over 70. I admire his longevity. He's outlasted all the rest of his kind.
He's on the biggest stations around, some 3 or more times a day (they even rerun his stuff later in the day). He's an EASY sell in large or small markets. He can deliver annual contracts for small markets.
I'm not a fan of his politics, he sometimes whistles when he talks, but let's hear you when you are over 70. I admire his longevity. He's outlasted all the rest of his kind.
R
Radio_Realist
Guest
You guys that dis Paul Harvey amaze me. You should have HIS ratings. He IS the #1 network news show, right?
You guys who defend him based on his ratings amaze me. Like you say, he's on the biggest stations around. He's only on for a short period of time, with great ratings lead ins. So what's the big deal? His little show comes on the air with a huge audience already tuned in, and over the course of his 15 minutes, he manages to not chase too many of them away. Big freakin' deal!
Paul Harvey is like a trained poodle that can dance on its hind legs. What's impressive is that the dog dances at all, not how well the dog dances.
Paul Harvey is now a living museum piece, interesting because of his history, not because of what he does today.
You guys who defend him based on his ratings amaze me. Like you say, he's on the biggest stations around. He's only on for a short period of time, with great ratings lead ins. So what's the big deal? His little show comes on the air with a huge audience already tuned in, and over the course of his 15 minutes, he manages to not chase too many of them away. Big freakin' deal!
Paul Harvey is like a trained poodle that can dance on its hind legs. What's impressive is that the dog dances at all, not how well the dog dances.
Paul Harvey is now a living museum piece, interesting because of his history, not because of what he does today.
T
tjthedj
Guest
And I bet YOU are under 25 years old, right?
WHO CARES what makes him "interesting"...the important thing is that he's an EASY sell and he's GREAT because he's a very known commodity, much better than "the format flavor of the month" that most stations have to pitch.
Paul's been delivering the goods for 40 years. YOU won't be doin' any dance in alot less than that.
WHO CARES what makes him "interesting"...the important thing is that he's an EASY sell and he's GREAT because he's a very known commodity, much better than "the format flavor of the month" that most stations have to pitch.
Paul's been delivering the goods for 40 years. YOU won't be doin' any dance in alot less than that.
You guys who defend him based on his ratings amaze me. Like you say, he's on the biggest stations around. He's only on for a short period of time, with great ratings lead ins. So what's the big deal? His little show comes on the air with a huge audience already tuned in, and over the course of his 15 minutes, he manages to not chase too many of them away. Big freakin' deal!
Sorry...I've got to chime in here. You may not like Paul Harvey...he may not appeal to your personal tastes or interests. But I really don't think there is anyone on this board qualified to knock his success or longevity. And if his forumal is still working, bringing in money, retaining listeners and affiliates, you shouldn't be so quick to knock him. Would you be able to keep the same huge audience if we threw you on the air for 15 minutes every day? It's not that easy...so let's not diminish it.
Now...back to our regular discussion. Political talk radio has become boring a predictable. Take Rush for example, I remember listening 15 years ago when his show had creativity and energy. Long gone are the Homeless Updates with music by Clarence Frogman Henry...the Environmentalist Wacko Football pics...the Femi-Nazi Updates. Now...it's boring...Hannity is boring...most syndicated political talk shows are predicatable and boring.
R
Radio_Realist
Guest
And I bet YOU are under 25 years old, right?
You're off by 30 years. I've been listening to Paul Harvey since the early 1960's. I can remember how good he used to be, which is why hearing how bad he has gotten late in life saddens me. I think it's pathetic to allow that old man to make a fool of himself on the air. The world should remember Paul Harvey for what he used to be, which was a person deserving of respect for his considerable talents. Putting him on the air now is shameless exploitation of someone who used to be a major talent. The man should have retired with a little dignity at least five years ago.
the important thing is that he's an EASY sell
Typical of the bean counter mentality that is destroying radio. The management of Sirius and XM get down on their knees to offer prayers of thanks that people like you work in terrestrial radio.
You're off by 30 years. I've been listening to Paul Harvey since the early 1960's. I can remember how good he used to be, which is why hearing how bad he has gotten late in life saddens me. I think it's pathetic to allow that old man to make a fool of himself on the air. The world should remember Paul Harvey for what he used to be, which was a person deserving of respect for his considerable talents. Putting him on the air now is shameless exploitation of someone who used to be a major talent. The man should have retired with a little dignity at least five years ago.
the important thing is that he's an EASY sell
Typical of the bean counter mentality that is destroying radio. The management of Sirius and XM get down on their knees to offer prayers of thanks that people like you work in terrestrial radio.
T
tjthedj
Guest
Realist,
Just like you, I'm out of radio. I got an offer I couldn't refuse in 1985.
My business partners also prayed for audience that brought PROFIT that Paul Harvey and lots of other features of local radio (that you might disparage) delivered well.
It's very easy to spit at things that may not be your taste, as dmargalotti alluded to below. I believe in giving sponsors and audience what they want. It's obvious that Paul Harvey is something THEY want. I know this because LOTS of stations get premium rates and annual contracts there.
It's very easy to dream about untraditional "great ideas." Trouble is, they aren't worth anything until they can be SOLD. The local newspaper that may be a competitor, sells nearly everything. That's whats RIGHT about local media.
"An easy sell" and "counting beans" is what a business is all about. Ask a STOCKHOLDER. You will agree that both Sirius and XM are drowning in red ink as yet. One of them thought Howard was an answer. I'd rather have Paul Harvey, but thats only personal taste.
I can attest to the fact that the stations I owned that had Paul Harvey (and other, what you may describe as "hokey programs" you would certainly disparage) were all quite profitable, thank you.
When you've had a radio sales or management position where every buck counts, and you note Paul Harvey's LARGE following, and sponsor loyalty, it's only good business.
Just like you, I'm out of radio. I got an offer I couldn't refuse in 1985.
My business partners also prayed for audience that brought PROFIT that Paul Harvey and lots of other features of local radio (that you might disparage) delivered well.
It's very easy to spit at things that may not be your taste, as dmargalotti alluded to below. I believe in giving sponsors and audience what they want. It's obvious that Paul Harvey is something THEY want. I know this because LOTS of stations get premium rates and annual contracts there.
It's very easy to dream about untraditional "great ideas." Trouble is, they aren't worth anything until they can be SOLD. The local newspaper that may be a competitor, sells nearly everything. That's whats RIGHT about local media.
"An easy sell" and "counting beans" is what a business is all about. Ask a STOCKHOLDER. You will agree that both Sirius and XM are drowning in red ink as yet. One of them thought Howard was an answer. I'd rather have Paul Harvey, but thats only personal taste.
I can attest to the fact that the stations I owned that had Paul Harvey (and other, what you may describe as "hokey programs" you would certainly disparage) were all quite profitable, thank you.
When you've had a radio sales or management position where every buck counts, and you note Paul Harvey's LARGE following, and sponsor loyalty, it's only good business.
God bless Paul Harvey, we should all live so long and keep some semblance of our faculties so long.
But a number of stations have dumped PH in the past 18 months, mainly after changing news affiliations from ABC to Fox.
They made the decision that whatever he brought in, it wasn't worth the inventory to keep him.
But a number of stations have dumped PH in the past 18 months, mainly after changing news affiliations from ABC to Fox.
They made the decision that whatever he brought in, it wasn't worth the inventory to keep him.
R
Radio_Realist
Guest
I can attest to the fact that the stations I owned that had Paul Harvey (and other, what you may describe as "hokey programs" you would certainly disparage) were all quite profitable, thank you.
I don't describe Paul Harvey as "hokey". I describe him as a shell of his former self, being exploited and treated in a very shabby manner.
I fully understand the need to make a profit, but I also believe that there are times when sometimes a person has to look at larger issues and simple morality. Any station running so close to the edge that the revenue from Paul Harvey's newscasts are the difference between solvency and bankruptcy has bigger issues that they need to face. If shamefully exploiting an old man is the only way the people responsible for operating a station can stay out of the red, then maybe those people are the wrong people to be running that station.
I don't describe Paul Harvey as "hokey". I describe him as a shell of his former self, being exploited and treated in a very shabby manner.
I fully understand the need to make a profit, but I also believe that there are times when sometimes a person has to look at larger issues and simple morality. Any station running so close to the edge that the revenue from Paul Harvey's newscasts are the difference between solvency and bankruptcy has bigger issues that they need to face. If shamefully exploiting an old man is the only way the people responsible for operating a station can stay out of the red, then maybe those people are the wrong people to be running that station.
T
tjthedj
Guest
Maybe everyone else is not serving the exact community that exists in your market. Consider; a station is 80 miles from a megalopolis and YOU MUST serve the locals because they get great service from the big guys up the road. Paul delivers credibility.
To me, ALL network radio is a "shell of its former self." Not arguing about Harvey's "decline" - but about the CREDIBILITY his program certainly gives a "small" station. I KNOW I can count on the bank in the next town to sponsor him because everyone knows who he is.
The issue of solvency or bankruptcy is not gonna hang on Paul, but every buck adds up. Shamefully exploiting? Come on, nobody is making Paul stand in his Jockey shorts in the town square. His job is to bring the audience and the avails, and where I lived, he did it well. I can tell you for sure, in small-town America, he delivers.
You just want to keep arguing.
To me, ALL network radio is a "shell of its former self." Not arguing about Harvey's "decline" - but about the CREDIBILITY his program certainly gives a "small" station. I KNOW I can count on the bank in the next town to sponsor him because everyone knows who he is.
The issue of solvency or bankruptcy is not gonna hang on Paul, but every buck adds up. Shamefully exploiting? Come on, nobody is making Paul stand in his Jockey shorts in the town square. His job is to bring the audience and the avails, and where I lived, he did it well. I can tell you for sure, in small-town America, he delivers.
You just want to keep arguing.
Now this is refreshing, a string that acknowledges radio as a business, period.
I have managed stations and was a part owner at one time. I've done well and have crashed and burned. Near the end on one venture, I would have put members of the KKK on the air, if it meant saving the station.
I've also learned that any property can make money, as long as the owners and management are not ideologs regarding market presense.
Conservative religion, you bet. Hip-Hop? Of course. Gardening shows, let's go with it if we see a market. The premise is to serve the market even it means going to a niche and protecting it. As a Liberal, I would even put on O'Reilly if that was the market. This is business, no offense.
In that this is on the News/Talk Board, I would even scratch Progressives if I saw a better market elsewhere. I'd still donate to the Democratic Party, but would build my property based on market needs.
Now I feel better and will go to the side.
Bruce
I have managed stations and was a part owner at one time. I've done well and have crashed and burned. Near the end on one venture, I would have put members of the KKK on the air, if it meant saving the station.
I've also learned that any property can make money, as long as the owners and management are not ideologs regarding market presense.
Conservative religion, you bet. Hip-Hop? Of course. Gardening shows, let's go with it if we see a market. The premise is to serve the market even it means going to a niche and protecting it. As a Liberal, I would even put on O'Reilly if that was the market. This is business, no offense.
In that this is on the News/Talk Board, I would even scratch Progressives if I saw a better market elsewhere. I'd still donate to the Democratic Party, but would build my property based on market needs.
Now I feel better and will go to the side.
Bruce
R
Radio_Realist
Guest
This is business, no offense.
I have never seen a business that really thrived in which the management didn't have genuine passion for the product. I have seen some achieve moderate success with management that was lukewarm about the product, but for really outstanding success, management has to really care. In the restaurant business, that means really caring about the food and service. In the clothing business, it means really caring about the clothes. And in broadcasting, it means really caring about the content of what is broadcast.
One might be able to get by putting anything on the air, whether you believe in it or not. One can get by treating program content like so much fertilizer, to be applied by the shovelful. But listeners can tell the difference between a station that just shovels out programming and a station that is operated by people who have an interest in the content.
Of course, if all a broadcaster is going to do is plug in syndicated programming from some satellite, then it doesn't much matter what one plugs in. If you're not willing to do what it takes to have good live and local content, why bother even being in the broadcasting business in the first place? If you're just running your radio station as a business for carrying syndicated programming, why not just get a convenience store or fast food franchise instead, or open a used car lot?
I have never seen a business that really thrived in which the management didn't have genuine passion for the product. I have seen some achieve moderate success with management that was lukewarm about the product, but for really outstanding success, management has to really care. In the restaurant business, that means really caring about the food and service. In the clothing business, it means really caring about the clothes. And in broadcasting, it means really caring about the content of what is broadcast.
One might be able to get by putting anything on the air, whether you believe in it or not. One can get by treating program content like so much fertilizer, to be applied by the shovelful. But listeners can tell the difference between a station that just shovels out programming and a station that is operated by people who have an interest in the content.
Of course, if all a broadcaster is going to do is plug in syndicated programming from some satellite, then it doesn't much matter what one plugs in. If you're not willing to do what it takes to have good live and local content, why bother even being in the broadcasting business in the first place? If you're just running your radio station as a business for carrying syndicated programming, why not just get a convenience store or fast food franchise instead, or open a used car lot?
T
tjthedj
Guest
Realist,
(never thought I'd say this to YOU; NO ARGUMENT.
(never thought I'd say this to YOU; NO ARGUMENT.
A
AKLes
Guest
No format lasts forever.
Political talk has lasted longer than most.
Two things keep it going:
1. Politicians can be counted upon to find new and wonderful ways to make asses of them self daily.
2. Nobody has found a format with the intensity of appeal. Lots of new formats but they are shallow and last a year or so...but increasingly, no more than a month.
Political talk has lasted longer than most.
Two things keep it going:
1. Politicians can be counted upon to find new and wonderful ways to make asses of them self daily.
2. Nobody has found a format with the intensity of appeal. Lots of new formats but they are shallow and last a year or so...but increasingly, no more than a month.
R
Radio_Realist
Guest
No format lasts forever.
The format of having a DJ talk in between playing records has been around since the 1930's. In fact, there were programs with an announcer talking in between records back in the 1920's. Since that format is almost as old as radio itself, I think it's safe to say that format has almost lasted forever, especially since it shows no signs of fading away.
The format of having a DJ talk in between playing records has been around since the 1930's. In fact, there were programs with an announcer talking in between records back in the 1920's. Since that format is almost as old as radio itself, I think it's safe to say that format has almost lasted forever, especially since it shows no signs of fading away.
Realist:
No argument with me either.
However, my "passion" is in the process fo business. Looking at a market, understanding it's needs, building a plan and implementation; regardless of the mareket segment served. Whether it's radio or telecom (which is where I ended up), it was the process that realy got my jollies. Before you go off, please remember we're all built differently.
When I was in the radio business, I knew many owners who just looked for properties that would fit into the mold of what these guys did best and that was fine for them. I went to college with a guy who ended up doing nothing but finding potential rim shots and building the properties for others and then he'd move on.
Frankly, the rim shot strategy bothered me because for every move-in that took place, some small or mid-sized city lost a local station. But this is a business and profit is the motivator.
When I was a young man, my dream was buying a regional AM (called class 3 at the time)/Class C FM combo located in a mid-sized midwestern city with a Division 3 College. It didn't happen, the industry changed and so I had to change.
No offense. This is Business.
No argument with me either.
However, my "passion" is in the process fo business. Looking at a market, understanding it's needs, building a plan and implementation; regardless of the mareket segment served. Whether it's radio or telecom (which is where I ended up), it was the process that realy got my jollies. Before you go off, please remember we're all built differently.
When I was in the radio business, I knew many owners who just looked for properties that would fit into the mold of what these guys did best and that was fine for them. I went to college with a guy who ended up doing nothing but finding potential rim shots and building the properties for others and then he'd move on.
Frankly, the rim shot strategy bothered me because for every move-in that took place, some small or mid-sized city lost a local station. But this is a business and profit is the motivator.
When I was a young man, my dream was buying a regional AM (called class 3 at the time)/Class C FM combo located in a mid-sized midwestern city with a Division 3 College. It didn't happen, the industry changed and so I had to change.
No offense. This is Business.
- Status
- This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.