Is there a new trend around the corner in 'talk radio' or is this it?

[willcail]

That is my real name Phil it is shorthand for William Cail see I use the first three letters of my first name then my last name. I never hide using a fake name like Phil Boyce or the other posters on Radio-Info. To use a fake name is a sign of being a coward.

Now WABC is at 10th place in the radio ratings. If your staion is doing well it should be placing in the top five.

Now since the market is saturated with conservitive talkers that is the reason why people are tuning out the AM dial there is no selection.

There need to be diversity on the radio. No I don't mean center right to bat**** crazy et al Savage. (BTW is getting sued for his incoherent hate speech.)

NPR have lost its edge. Now most of you favor the FCC ruling to have more media companies owning more TV/Radio station. I am glad that Gary Richards of WVKO AM is doing things right this time around for progressive talk. I know him I went to the station first Holiday Party, he will make this work.

 

[jaymarvin]

Will, you need to get your facts right. Phil Boyce of WABC is who he says he is. While I don't always agree with him I'll come to his defense on this right away. I'm also Jay Marvin from AM760 in Denver. Now as far as cross ownership goes I think it is a good thing for WGN Radio and TV along with the Tribune. Sam Zell is from Chicago and will keep these vital parts of the Chicago area in local control. Having Randy Michaels come in and put a hand into the Trib's broadcast properties will be a good thing not a bad thing. Full disclosure I have worked for Randy twice and know him. This FCC ruling effects only top 20 markets. I'm against Telcom96 and think it has been bad for radio not good. Fewer jobs fewer choices on the dial. NPR has lost its edge? In my 33 years in radio it never had an edge and doesn't to this day.

 

[willcail]

Like I say before internet message boards people usually uses fake names. How can you be Jay Marvin from Progressive Talk 790 AM in Denver CO? Why would anyone in Progressive Talk defend a right wing tool. Ed Schultz is right about Phil Boyce. He is a right wing tool who's not interested in divresity.

 

[robbbc]

Will, you need to get your facts right. Phil Boyce of WABC is who he says he is. While I don't always agree with him I'll come to his defense on this right away. I'm also Jay Marvin from AM760 in Denver. Now as far as cross ownership goes I think it is a good thing for WGN Radio and TV along with the Tribune. Sam Zell is from Chicago and will keep these vital parts of the Chicago area in local control. Having Randy Michaels come in and put a hand into the Trib's broadcast properties will be a good thing not a bad thing. Full disclosure I have worked for Randy twice and know him. This FCC ruling effects only top 20 markets. I'm against Telcom96 and think it has been bad for radio not good. Fewer jobs fewer choices on the dial. NPR has lost its edge? In my 33 years in radio it never had an edge and doesn't to this day.

Jay,

I have no problem giving an exception to Tribune because they are doing with WGN a community service. My concern is that Boston or New York stations are going to be bought up by the Globe or Times only to play MUSIC. How does that serve the community? The FCC ruling could have been more carefully tailored to limit cross-ownership to AM properties only for example. It could be a conditional exemption based on providing local and regional News and information- the bread and butter of newspapers. None of this is in the FCC ruling. As for "only" the top 20 Markets, with big signals you are probably talking about 1/3 of the population of the US affected by the ruling, and that's a conservative estimate.

As for the NPR smackdown that everyone loves around here, can't you all let it go? With the horrific mess that commercial radio is in this country, I'll take my NPR Morning Edition over the horrible morning programs on the FM music stations. I listened this past week to a Portland Maine channel and it was the same idiocy we have been getting for years. A woman talking about what was in her purse, a man (always dumb, but loveable) not understanding. This is what people listen to!?

 

[jaymarvin]

First of all Will Ed Schultz is not right about Phil Boyce. He is not a right-wing tool. That kind of talk makes you no better than the people you loath. Phil is a guy who has done a great job with WABC. There are times I don't agree with him, but WABC is a very to rated radio station. Just because you and I may not hear or get some of the talent that is on the station doesn't make us right or wrong. It's only what we think. I bet if you bother to ask Phil in a civil manner, without the name calling, about why WABC is programed the way it is you might learn something. Phil is right about liberal talk radio. The way it is being done now by Air America it sucks. It's a failure numbers wise in most markets. It's just that no one has the guts to stand up and say it. Instead of attacking Phil (and I've done my share) why not ask him what he would do if given the task of programing a liberal leaning talk station. You might learn something, and we all might learn something. I thought about this over the weekend. Were lucky to have guys like Phil and Holland posting here. We can learn much from them. They didn't get where they are by being stupid. Oh, and no I'm not trying to get a job at WABC. I had a chance to go to NYC last year if things had worked out, but I turned it down. It's a great city, but not for me. And I am Jay Marvin from AM760 Progressive Talk. If you don't think that's who I am than tough luck. As for the top 20 market rule I think it should be looked at case by case. But folks like Sam Zell are a blessing. Because what he's saying is print media is not dead yet. Will there be changes at the Trib? I'm sure there will. But at least in this case he's trying to turn the company around. NPR? Go ahead and tune it in. For me it as always been boring, slow, and does long stories about things I don't care about.

 

[Don62]

so it would seem that ABC, CBS, Westwood One, etc would be coming up with ways to expand the talk radio market beyond, political and sports talk. There's a bunch of AM stations struggling to stay afloat that probably would jump at a chance to air such new styled talk programming (essentially re-inventing older forms of talk/entertainment that radio did do quite well years ago) aimed at both females and males combined or as single demo targets as the larger heritage stations already have the Rush/Hannity thing tied up.

As a radio consumer now, I (get) tired of the daily onslaught of anger and malace that makes up much of the political talk today of Hannity, Limbaugh, Savage, Levin, Ingraham, and Beck to a lesser extent. Some days I tune out completely and listen to the NPR news/info/talk, or listen to an audio book, or some music on FM or CD's. [size=10pt]There's only so much of bashing Hillary and that the world's going to come to an abrupt end if she's the next President, etc, one can listen to each day[/size] and the election's still 11 months away. Seems like a golden opportunity for some radio network to create a whole new chapter for talk radio.

We use to do it that way. I pulled box car numbers 25-54 and 18-34 at night on WLS. Then the whole station had to swing to the right, and the then PD made my life living hell. Now look where WLS is. Is it because I left? No. It's because there is too much syndication and not enough diverse viewpoints and down right fun and entertainment. I don't hate talk radio. I don't like what it has become.

Anyone can get on a big stick station and yell "stop Hillary Clinton" every five seconds or George Bush is a Nazi every day. It take real talent to take a story and make something out of it without having to lean on those crutches.

What they said.
I have long been a talk radio fan and remember hearing Rush's first national show as well as other great local hosts on stations such as WLS, WGN, KOA, KHOW and KCMO.

Though I was more conservative at the time (mid- to late 80s), I listened to hosts who had other views (such as the great Ken Hamblin at KOA- the Black Avenger - when he wasn't as conservative- now he was a good host! ).

I didn't require the hosts hold similar views as mine. In fact, having diversity made the shows more interesting.

I came into talk radio during the Talk Net and Bruce Williams days. I also remember Gordon Elliot. Then came greats such as Tom Snyder and Gill Gross. Sadly, in today's narrow-minded corporate radio world, which only wants to program radio as cheaply as possible (ala Cheap Channel) those hosts would never be allowed to be on the air because they don't scream at how bad Hillary is (ala Hannity) or kiss up to W (ala Bush Limbaugh).

Talk radio today is too monotonous and too one-sided.

The format can certainly use some reform and updating, just like other businesses and formats, and thus gain more listeners and actually produce more interesting content than the dreck spewed by loudmouths like Hannity et. al.

 

[Don62]

[size=10pt]Phil, all you do here is brag about WABC and Hannity. It gets old. [/size]I wish you the nest of holidays and a great 08 coming up. But what WABC is doing is not the total answer and I wish I could get a dime for every time you toot your own horn.

Dittos. There's far too much self-promotion on these boards.

WABC is successful. Phil, do you want a pack on the back from us?

I could care less what WABC is doing. Since many markets around the country have WABC clones, by carrying Rush, Sean and Levin, it has made radio a lot less interesting these days.

BTW, I'm not hiding behind a screen name.
And I don't work in radio, anymore.

 

[MikefromDelaware]

I think we all can agree that WABC does have a successful format, but it's not the only talk format that can work. So Phil congrats on your success, but as a number of us have already said here, it would be great if ABC radio, which you are apart of, would expand the world to network talk radio to some other formats as your network has so successfully done with the various music formats. Seems like a no brainer to me. Your network already has the inferstructure, the talent, money, potental spots, and proven success in your network's other endevours. It would be great to start hearing about the new revolution in talk radio from ABC. As folks today credit Rush Limbaugh with saving AM radio in the 1980's, maybe someday we could be saying that Phil Boyce at ABC radio saved AM radio and talk radio in 2008. Who knows, all it takes is guts or "fortitude" and a true entrupenural (sp) spirit, plus the ability to "sell" the suits running ABC radio to take the chance on something "new". Happy New Year, Phil.

 

[ajhenderson]

Perhaps what they need is more f-rt jokes. The Stephcast from stephaniemiller.com makes a great last-minute gift for....Christmahanukwanzakuh. ;D

How creative Stephanie is these days. Apparently she has to resort to stealing material from Glenn Beck and Virgin Mobile to be funny.

Here's a new year's resolution for you, Sean: switch places with Ian and you can pimp his show while he pimps Stephanie Miller.

 

[jimwalsh2001]

Talk radio today is too monotonous and too one-sided.

The format can certainly use some reform and updating...

True - but don't write off the medium just yet; there are some seriously talented, creative, original hosts out there (and I know many of them) sitting patiently(?) on the beach, waiting for the right opportunity to get back on the air.

Just let us get a foothold...

 

[Phil Boyce]

Don62 says:

Phil, do you want a pack on the back from us?

I guess that would be considered a "backpack." Yes, Don, that would be nice. Did you get me one for Christmas?

Jay: Thanks for the kind words. What works for WABC may not work for everybody. Talkradio is not a cookie cutter format. Each market is different. I really do want to see progressive talk succeed. I believe somebody out there will get it right, and when that happens they will give the rest of us a run for our money. However I believe in order to succeed it will not be the current model which seems to be an offshoot of another George Soros blog. It has to be unique, compelling, and beholden to no one. The hosts there have to say it like they see it. They have to be intellectually honest. They can't just tow the left wing party line. Hosts like Jay Marvin, and even Lionel. Hosts who are funny, entertaining, and you learn something at the same time.

pb

 

[jimwalsh2001]

I believe in order to succeed it will not be the current model which seems to be an offshoot of another George Soros blog. It has to be unique, compelling, and beholden to no one. The hosts there have to say it like they see it. They have to be intellectually honest. They can't just tow the left wing party line. Hosts like Jay Marvin, and even Lionel. Hosts who are funny, entertaining, and you learn something at the same time.

pb

The "outside the box" hosts are out there...we need more management and ownership who are willing to take a chance on them.

I believe we will see some improvement in that area in the next year or so. The wind's a risin', folks... ;D

 

[bhorner]

Well, since you have the Jack FM format that works so well these days, how about going with the Jay AM format. Two of the best progressive talkers in radio are Jay Diamond and Jay Marvin. Diamond deserves a new gig, hearing him fill in for Alan Colmes and doing a great job, put him back on the air now. Put those two Jays on the same lineup and you can't go wrong... ;D

Bob Horner.

 

[SeanMGilbow]

Perhaps what they need is more f-rt jokes. The Stephcast from stephaniemiller.com makes a great last-minute gift for....Christmahanukwanzakuh. ;D

How creative Stephanie is these days. Apparently she has to resort to stealing material from Glenn Beck and Virgin Mobile to be funny.

Here's a new year's resolution for you, Sean: switch places with Ian and you can pimp his show while he pimps Stephanie Miller.

I'm sorry...Glenn who?

I've been advertising on Steph's show, and I got my first online sale in one week.

I put my money behind whom I back, which is more than you probably ever did. :

 

[ajhenderson]

Cute. I wouldn't be so sure of your statement, but if it makes you feel better about working for the police and selling widgets online to make fun of me, go ahead.

 

[SeanMGilbow]

Cute. I wouldn't be so sure of your statement, but if it makes you feel better about working for the police and selling widgets online to make fun of me, go ahead.

I'm the one writing the checks, you're not.

And I am not alone.

http://www.wvko1580.com/advertising.html

And I'm not hiding behind some anonymous ID.

If you actually are in this business, you should be thankful for the advertisers, large and small, who make it possible for you to stay on the air.

 

[ajhenderson]

Sean, I hide behind an ID because I'm in the business. I understand WVKO's old school way of selling, and God bless you for getting results with them. If I was their consultant and running their sales department, they wouldn't need AEs bringing in $400 a month deals.

No, I am not employed by a station, but manage several of them. Have WVKO drop me a message here and I'm sure we could help them make some real money.

Nothing personal, just business.

And Phil is right as usual on PT... it's too bad Lionel shot himself in the foot moving from WOR to a nothing station in NYC, killing his relatively successful weekend show on the way out. I've enjoyed listening to his show before but haven't heard a minute since the move to AAR.

 

[jaymarvin]

Phil, and everyone thanks for the very kind words. Phil is right on his point about progressive talk not being done right. Has anyone ever noticed stations like WABC (the last time I heard it) WLS (where I worked) and WFLA (where I also worked) never built their image by coming out and saying "we're conservative". The hosts may say they are, but the stations never did. When you listen to AAR that's the first thing they tell you their liberal. The hosts do agenda radio and really nothing else. You take a radio station or a network and you ram this kind of stuff down anyone's throat and they'll spit it back up. One of the things that I think makes for great talk radio is not following the party line, but throwing people off every once in a while so they come away with an "oh wow" moment. You don't get that with AAR. There seems to be no one there to teach or guide the hosts on what to and not do. If talent is left to its self it will blow up. I don't know where KJCB is in radio, but you can tell he's in the biz. Instead of defending AAR I'd love to ask Phil, Holland, and KJCB how they would program a non right-wing talk station. I really think there is a way to do non right-wing talk. You have to start with the basics of good talk radio. AAR lacks this in so many of their hosts. Even their production and image stuff sounds bad.

 

[Slant]

With AAR's ridiculous salaries to producers and hosts, could you imagine the caliber of imaging/production director they could have gotten for a 150K? AAR made all the wrong moves....whenever you have a writing staff for a talk radio show, you're destined for failure.

 

[SeanMGilbow]

Sean, I hide behind an ID because I'm in the business. I understand WVKO's old school way of selling, and God bless you for getting results with them. If I was their consultant and running their sales department, they wouldn't need AEs bringing in $400 a month deals.

No, I am not employed by a station, but manage several of them. Have WVKO drop me a message here and I'm sure we could help them make some real money.

Nothing personal, just business.

And Phil is right as usual on PT... it's too bad Lionel shot himself in the foot moving from WOR to a nothing station in NYC, killing his relatively successful weekend show on the way out. I've enjoyed listening to his show before but haven't heard a minute since the move to AAR.

I will be getting with the GM next week, once I return from vacation.

The GM is pretty much the sales staff. I've already mentioned the possibility to him of helping him sell ad time in exchange for more spots for me. (As you know, I do have a day job.)

I agree, by the way, on your sentiments regarding Lionel. A lot of WVKO fans feel he's not left enough. I personally like him.