Cumulus reported earnings yesterday and again made Rush Limbaugh the scapegoat for the poor numbers posted by the company.
I think this back and forth, and Limbaugh making news on the issue is strategic on his part. It's no secret that Cumulus has been readying it's own stable of talkers to at least give them the option of jettisoning Premiere syndicated content on some, if not all of their stations. Limbaugh coming out like this can make it appear at least that the change, should it come to pass was his decision and not that of Cumulus'.
Interestingly, though, Mike Huckabee, who would likely assume the 12-3 slot on any stations where Cumulus makes a change, has indicated he might not continue to do radio unless its's 'insanely profitable' or something like that for him. This likely is strategic on his part, too, telling Cumulus that if they want him to be part of their strategy, they're going to have to pay him more. I'm not sure the ratings for his show at present justify an increase though.
So, to tie this to Detroit, it looks increasingly possible that Limbaugh could be leaving WJR. CC would definitely clear his show on one of their outlets, and unless they would convert one of their FMs to talk, which is highly unlikely, I have to believe, as I've previously stated, that AM1130 would be where they'd clear him, and would change the station to a Talk format. Hannity may leave Cumulus along with Limbaugh and 1130 could clear Beck in the mornings. He hasn't been cleared in Detroit since AM1270 flipped to the CBS Sports Radio Network. This back and forth makes it increasingly possible that this scenario will come to pass. I'd see 1130 clearing FSR content in slots where they don't have talkers.
Anyone else have ideas on where Limbaugh would be cleared in the Detroit market should Cumulus not clear him after 2013?
I think this back and forth, and Limbaugh making news on the issue is strategic on his part. It's no secret that Cumulus has been readying it's own stable of talkers to at least give them the option of jettisoning Premiere syndicated content on some, if not all of their stations. Limbaugh coming out like this can make it appear at least that the change, should it come to pass was his decision and not that of Cumulus'.
Interestingly, though, Mike Huckabee, who would likely assume the 12-3 slot on any stations where Cumulus makes a change, has indicated he might not continue to do radio unless its's 'insanely profitable' or something like that for him. This likely is strategic on his part, too, telling Cumulus that if they want him to be part of their strategy, they're going to have to pay him more. I'm not sure the ratings for his show at present justify an increase though.
So, to tie this to Detroit, it looks increasingly possible that Limbaugh could be leaving WJR. CC would definitely clear his show on one of their outlets, and unless they would convert one of their FMs to talk, which is highly unlikely, I have to believe, as I've previously stated, that AM1130 would be where they'd clear him, and would change the station to a Talk format. Hannity may leave Cumulus along with Limbaugh and 1130 could clear Beck in the mornings. He hasn't been cleared in Detroit since AM1270 flipped to the CBS Sports Radio Network. This back and forth makes it increasingly possible that this scenario will come to pass. I'd see 1130 clearing FSR content in slots where they don't have talkers.
Anyone else have ideas on where Limbaugh would be cleared in the Detroit market should Cumulus not clear him after 2013?