Jay Diamond WRKO...Liberal host with Conservative listeners...Ideal for Air America???

[Tom_]

Jay Diamond WRKO...Liberal host with Conservative listeners...Ideal for Air America???

I've enjoyed Jay Diamond on WRKO with Entercom's new audio streaming service.

Considering the complaints from Air America listeners and some in the industry that Air America is "too far the left," and recognizing that some of us (myself included) think that Air America should modify its programming to appeal to conservatives as well as liberals in an effort to improve ratings and credibility within the industry...then could Jay Diamond make an ideal host for this network (or others)???

I would also add that Diamond has excellent high profile guests covering a broad diversity of topics. Furthermore, the political viewpoints of guests are all over the spectrum...one guest in recent weeks was a socialist, and another a libertarian in the army (navy?) who appears again next Saturday...he is opposed to the Iraq war and also the UN. In addition, Diamond modified a debate between a creationist and an evolutionist very well and was fair to both sides. Diamond is also fair to conservative listeners who call in. Finally, Diamond is incredibly entertaining with his nearly perfect imitations of G.W.Bush and his hilarious southern accents. This makes great radio. I wish the show was archived on the net.

Any thoughts? Please keep this to whether or not you think Diamond would perform well or not in national syndication, and *not* another debate over Air America issues...although I am curious if anyone thinks that Jay Diamond would have the potential for the Air America Al Franken slot when Franken runs for Senate in Minnesota. This could be a tought decision for Air America and how much time do they have?

And how would Diamond perform against Limbaugh in the ratings for liberals but also conservatives familiar with Diamond on 'RKO (Noon-3p Eastern)?

Would conservatives in New England familiar with Diamond switch back and forth from Limbaugh to Diamond or would they continue with Limbaugh (a simplistic question, yet how many conservatives might start with Diamond at 1206p to see who his highly credentialed conservative and libertarian guests would be for the day...or the subject of the on-air debate between guests?).

 

[raccoonradio]

Re: Jay Diamond WRKO...Liberal host with Conservative listeners...Ideal for Air America???

> I've enjoyed Jay Diamond on WRKO with Entercom's new audio
> streaming service.

yes I heard the week he had the socialist on. Pretty good and it would make sense to put him on AAR or some kind of prog. talk network

 

[millennium]

Re: Jay Diamond WRKO...Liberal host with Conservative listeners...Ideal for Air America???

Jay discussed the Pit Bull killing last night; didn't get to hear as much of the show as usual because of the Oldies 103 concert - The Box Tops/Eric Burdon
But I too like his presentation.

Why does he have to be on "Air America"? Why can't WRKO find a place for him during the day???

It's tough for anyone to "perform against" Limbaugh's massive syndication -
and to use an example of David vs. Goliath from the 1970s - generally a WMEX cannot beat a WRKO unless that 1510 AM breaks a song like "Maggie Mae" by Rod Stewart - 50,000 watts at 680 beat 50,000 watts at 1510 any day of the week.
Something extraordinary has to bring the listeners in to the smaller stations.

Where did the Celtics go when they couldn't find an audience on the weak 1510?

WRKO, WEEI and WBZ are the 3 AM signals that matter in this region, just based on power. WRKO putting Jay Diamond on 9 AM - Noon would be refreshing, but the powers that be at Entercom have an agenda - and there's really nothing that Mike Elder and Rich Carbery can do about that. Like Beau Raines and other by-the-book dudes, they ain't gonna rock the boat. So everyone's complacent until a station changes format. Collect the paycheck, stick with the status quo, and hope you can milk it for 5 or 6 years. Not very creative, not very entertaining, but that paycheck is more important than doing a good job these days.

WRKO is to be commended for giving Diamond a forum, and slapped for giving him a terrible timeslot. Jay Diamond is better than Depetro, Jeff Katz, Peter Blute, Pat Whitley, and a number of obnoxious personalities - some (or one in particular) who get more attention on a booze cruise than they do with years on the air in morning drive.

But there's no way they are going to "flip" to a less conservative point of view when you've got Rich Carbery spreading misinformation last year, calling Air America an "abject failure" before it even got out of the box. Randi Rhodes got John Conyers over a hundred thousand signatures and MoveOn.org came onboard and did even more. So people are listening - and as the MoveOns start picking up on the Air America/Jones Radio personalities, a much more compelling fact-driven blend of soundbites and philosophy, the shrill sound of "Liberal Radio won't work" will be exactly what it is - just another lie from the
people who sent kids to war for no reason - people who tell a sports host like Ted Sarandis to rally the troops - get everyone on the LET'S GO TO IRAQ bandwagon. It is sickening when one looks back with hindsight to see how
WRKO/WEEI Entercom aided and abetted the "war movement". Virgin Boy and
Ted Sarandis simultaneously using the 50,000 watts of their respective stations to support the invasion of Iraq. So if you expect a voice that opposes the
propaganda to slip through - forget it. Rhandi Rhodes and Ed Schultz seem to be leading the charge for an opposing point of view. Jay Diamond's best opportunity is 9 AM - Noon on WRKO. They won't do it - they just want a token
figure on their airwaves (as if "Both Sides with Marjorie & Pat" has any
effect on this market) - they are just part of a propaganda machine - so speculation on Jay Diamond or Johnny Angel Carmen or anyone else is just that, pure speculation, because at the end of the day it's all about the Conservatives gobbling up the airwaves and feeding the sheep.

No independent thought is allowed on radio today. You get silenced with the mute button, laughed at, or deleted.

Pretty scary. So, don't look for Jay Diamond to be taking Rush's spot on
WRKO. That would be fair and balanced and we can't have that! Not when
Rich Carbery wants to talk AT the listeners and not to them. "THE talk station - we talk, and you'd better listen." And if you don't agree with them don't even bother to initiate a conversation. You'll just get insulted.


this Tom:
Posts: 1310
Status: Offline
Posted on: 06/26/05 08:55 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've enjoyed Jay Diamond on WRKO with Entercom's new audio streaming service.

Considering the complaints from Air America listeners and some in the industry that Air America is "too far the left," and recognizing that some of us (myself included) think that Air America should modify its programming to appeal to conservatives as well as liberals in an effort to improve ratings and credibility within the industry...then could Jay Diamond make an ideal host for this network (or others)???

I would also add that Diamond has excellent high profile guests covering a broad diversity of topics. Furthermore, the political viewpoints of guests are all over the spectrum...one guest in recent weeks was a socialist, and another a libertarian in the army (navy?) who appears again next Saturday...he is opposed to the Iraq war and also the UN. In addition, Diamond modified a debate between a creationist and an evolutionist very well and was fair to both sides. Diamond is also fair to conservative listeners who call in. Finally, Diamond is incredibly entertaining with his nearly perfect imitations of G.W.Bush and his hilarious southern accents. This makes great radio. I wish the show was archived on the net.

Any thoughts? Please keep this to whether or not you think Diamond would perform well or not in national syndication, and *not* another debate over Air America issues...although I am curious if anyone thinks that Jay Diamond would have the potential for the Air America Al Franken slot when Franken runs for Senate in Minnesota. This could be a tought decision for Air America and how much time do they have?

And how would Diamond perform against Limbaugh in the ratings for liberals but also conservatives familiar with Diamond on 'RKO (Noon-3p Eastern)?

Would conservatives in New England familiar with Diamond switch back and forth from Limbaugh to Diamond or would they continue with Limbaugh (a simplistic question, yet how many conservatives might start with Diamond at 1206p to see who his highly credentialed conservative and libertarian guests would be for the day...or the subject of the on-air debate between guests?).

 

[millennium]

On second thought - Air America should take over 1510 AM

Although if Air America got the 1510 signal - things would start getting interesting in this market

 

[raccoonradio]

Re: Jay Diamond WRKO...Liberal host with Conservative listeners...Ideal for Air America???

Why can't WRKO
> find a place for him during the day???

Well, if DePetro's ratings fail...

> the powers that be at Entercom have an agenda

Making money. Maybe they should be like WHJJ and take the conservative
talk off, then see the ratings plummet.

>calling Air America an "abject failure" before it even got out of the box

yes, he shouldn't have said that before the network even launched. He should have waited a year or so and looked at the dismal ratings they got,
THEN called them a failure. If libtalk were capable of getting great
ratings/making money for a station like 'RKO, they would have signed up for
AAR right away. As it is, in the last book 'RKO's ratings were twelve times
as big as WKOX and WXKS combined.

>>Rhandi Rhodes and Ed Schultz seem to be leading the charge for an opposing point of view.

Terrorists killed thousands of Americans--let's do nothing instead. Or
"negotiate". While we're at it, we shouldn't have fought Hitler either.
Who were we to stop a guy like him, none of our business. Nothing wrong
with letting another point of view on but whether they're on a small or a big station, listeners vote with their dials as to whether to listen to
conservatalk and libtalk. Liberals retreat to NPR and CNN.

> No independent thought is allowed on radio today. You get
> silenced with the mute button, laughed at, or deleted.

I love all the conservative voices on PBS/NPR though

 

[doc9464]

Re: Jay Diamond WRKO...Liberal host with Conservative listeners...Ideal for Air America???

> Considering the complaints from Air America listeners and
> some in the industry that Air America is "too far the left,"
> and recognizing that some of us (myself included) think that
> Air America should modify its programming to appeal to
> conservatives as well as liberals in an effort to improve
> ratings and credibility within the industry...then could Jay
> Diamond make an ideal host for this network (or others)???

While i disagree with your view, I agree now and in your earlier posts that Jay Diamond is a very very good host. If he can reach the red states/conservatives...then he should be looked at by AAR or any other station that will give liberal radio a fair airing....WRKO is not the place for this guy as with Stephanie Miller and any of the other liberal hosts who have tried here...wont get any good play....he needs to find a spot that will give him a good spot so he can do his quality work.

>
> I would also add that Diamond has excellent high profile
> guests covering a broad diversity of topics. Furthermore,
> the political viewpoints of guests are all over the
> spectrum...one guest in recent weeks was a socialist, and
> another a libertarian in the army (navy?) who appears again
> next Saturday...he is opposed to the Iraq war and also the
> UN. In addition, Diamond modified a debate between a
> creationist and an evolutionist very well and was fair to
> both sides. Diamond is also fair to conservative listeners
> who call in. Finally, Diamond is incredibly entertaining
> with his nearly perfect imitations of G.W.Bush and his
> hilarious southern accents. This makes great radio. I wish
> the show was archived on the net.

I havent had a chance to listen to him since you introduced me to him a few weeks ago in a posting.....that is quality radio in your example....maybe sirius or pacifica or someone.....anyone give this guy a look see....ive listened to his show twice and I couldnt be more pleased.....the guy is experieced and good...no liberal would knock him that i know of...he seems informed unlike Ed Schultz who tries to appeal to the other side...thats my only beef with Schultz...its important to be informed as well as entertaining....so i know you like centrists Tom, this is a centrist I like too...one with real potential.
>
> Any thoughts? Please keep this to whether or not you think
> Diamond would perform well or not in national syndication,
> and *not* another debate over Air America issues...although
> I am curious if anyone thinks that Jay Diamond would have
> the potential for the Air America Al Franken slot when
> Franken runs for Senate in Minnesota. This could be a
> tought decision for Air America and how much time do they
> have?

yes to syndication, not sure on replacing franken...depends on who hes up against when the time comes...but he can try just like all the many that will try to fill that spot, im sure. My heart says Randi should become the new flagship anchor when and if al leaves...but that too would leave AAR an option to provide a Ed Shultz/centrist on the air.....Let me reassure....Janeane is not an option for AAR to replace Al....as the flagship host (MY OPINION)...but its something to think through for sure...its a good question to ask
>
> And how would Diamond perform against Limbaugh in the
> ratings for liberals but also conservatives familiar with
> Diamond on 'RKO (Noon-3p Eastern)?

good question.....guess he needs to find a station with that slot open....but then hes up against Franken.....and Limbaugh......and o"Reilly.
>
> Would conservatives in New England familiar with Diamond
> switch back and forth from Limbaugh to Diamond or would they
> continue with Limbaugh (a simplistic question, yet how many
> conservatives might start with Diamond at 1206p to see who
> his highly credentialed conservative and libertarian guests
> would be for the day...or the subject of the on-air debate
> between guests

The hard-line Rush listeners won't change...no matter who is on the air...but there is an opening for other listeners....franken included for more discerning listeners
>

 

[Eli Polonsky]

Re: On second thought - Air America should take over 1510 AM

> Although if Air America got the 1510 signal - things would
> start getting interesting in this market

I'd like to see that. They would still need WKOX to cover metro-west though. 1510 WWZN's directional signal doesn't go west of Route 128 worth anything at night.

There were rumors that AAR had considered buying 1510 when they were first starting out, but they were discouraged by the same things that turned away many other potential buyers, such as the $25k/month tower site rental.