Limbaugh takes post-Fluke ratings hit

[denverradiodude]

Limbaugh takes post-Fluke ratings hit

Rush Limbaugh took a significant ratings hit in some key radio markets last month in the wake of the Sandra Fluke controversy.

The conservative radio host's ratings fell 27 percent in the key 25-54 demo in New York City, 31 percent in Houston-Galveston, 40 percent in Seattle-Tacoma, and 35 percent in Jacksonville, according to a selection of the March 29-April 25 Arbitron ratings provided by an industry source.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/05/limbaugh-takes-postfluke-ratings-hit-124058.html

Beginning of the downward spiral?

Glenn Beck hung in there for 20 months after advertisers first started leaving before Fox News finally canned him.

 

[umfan]

The next book will tell if this is an aberration or a trend.

And he still cumes very high. So he may have to do the show for $10M a year instead of $20M or more at some point, but I doubt he'll be going away.

 

[Ultimajock]

...Limbaugh sells just a few less buggy whips in the age of Silverados and Smart Cars? Big fat hairy deal ;D ...

 

[KeithE4]

The next book will tell if this is an aberration or a trend.

And he still cumes very high. So he may have to do the show for $10M a year instead of $20M or more at some point, but I doubt he'll be going away.

IIRC, he's paid over $30 million a year through 2016 regardless of ratings or ad dollars brought in. After that, my guess is that he'll retire since he turns 65 that year. It's not like he'll matter by then. I think the age of talk radio being an influence in Republican politics is just about over.

 

[Bongwater]

Good Riddance!

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

After that, my guess is that he'll retire since he turns 65 that year. It's not like he'll matter by then. I think the age of talk radio being an influence in Republican politics is just about over.

There are people standing in the "on deck batter's circle" that might want to quarrel with you. What about folks like Herman Cain, Eric Ericson, Michelle Malkin and others. Do you think they will agree with you that the influence of talk radio in (Republican) politics is just about over... or are they ready to put talk radio on steroids... seeking a level of talk radio we have yet to experience?

 

[KeithE4]

After that, my guess is that he'll retire since he turns 65 that year. It's not like he'll matter by then. I think the age of talk radio being an influence in Republican politics is just about over.

There are people standing in the "on deck batter's circle" that might want to quarrel with you. What about folks like Herman Cain, Eric Ericson, Michelle Malkin and others. Do you think they will agree with you that the influence of talk radio in (Republican) politics is just about over... or are they ready to put talk radio on steroids... seeking a level of talk radio we have yet to experience?

Herman Cain's 15 minutes of fame ended a few months ago. His credibility is "nein-nein-nein." ;D I've never heard of Eric Ericson so I can't comment on him. Michelle Malkin has been a second-tier blogger & Fox News blabberer for years. If she was going big-time, I think she already would have. Worse, she's Ann Coulter-Lite - a bit less unpleasant but still a factoid-manipulating bomb-thrower.

Besides, who will be their audience? Folks older than 60 who are currently listening to Limbaugh and Hannity on Ancient Modulation? Who cares about them anymore? They're dying of old age and, by extension, more politically irrelevant by the day. And, for the record, the same goes for the relatively few over-the-hill hippes and other fuzzy-headed lefties that listen to whatever passes for commercial liberal talk radio these days.

I just don't see many of today's or tomorrow's young people bothering with '90s-style talk radio of any political stripe. And if they're not listening, who will bother advertising?

 

[PTBoardOp94]

The Politico article is flawed because it doesn't provide a reference. Limbaugh's ratings in April were down 31% in Houston compared to when?

Also, were there similar drops in the 6+ ratings for Limbaugh on those same stations in the same time period?

 

[landtuna]

It's not like he'll matter by then.

He doesn't matter now.

 

[jas2525]

The Politico article is flawed because it doesn't provide a reference. Limbaugh's ratings in April were down 31% in Houston compared to when?

Also, were there similar drops in the 6+ ratings for Limbaugh on those same stations in the same time period?

My guess is, it's either year-to-year for the same quarter OR quarter to quarter.

Either way, not pretty.

 

[landtuna]

Folks older than 60 who are currently listening to Limbaugh and Hannity on Ancient Modulation? Who cares about them anymore? They're dying of old age and, by extension, more politically irrelevant by the day.

Au contraire. Folks 60 and older are one of the most concise voting blocs in our country at the moment. Compared to other voting age blocs they tend to have the highest percentage turnout and, including the slightly younger Boomers, are also one of the most populous. I really doubt any serious politician relegates them to "irrelevant".

And 60 is the new 50 if you haven't noticed. We, as a group, are the last of the politically active and financially independent groups that America is likely to see. A 60-year old has 15-20 years left and is likely to remain politically involved the remainder of their lives.

I don't discriminate between the non-Rish listener and normal 60+ person but I don't see the same fanatic right wing devotion in the older set that I do in the generation that follows us.

I just don't see many of today's or tomorrow's young people bothering with '90s-style talk radio of any political stripe. And if they're not listening, who will bother advertising?

I think you nailed this.

 

[KeithE4]

Folks older than 60 who are currently listening to Limbaugh and Hannity on Ancient Modulation? Who cares about them anymore? They're dying of old age and, by extension, more politically irrelevant by the day.

Au contraire. Folks 60 and older are one of the most concise voting blocs in our country at the moment. Compared to other voting age blocs they tend to have the highest percentage turnout and, including the slightly younger Boomers, are also one of the most populous. I really doubt any serious politician relegates them to "irrelevant".

Yes, you're correct as far as voting is concerned, but because the generation before us is dying off, those numbers will begin to shrink, if they haven't already. But we (and I am over 55) don't count as far as radio is concerned, being out of the Sacred Sales DemosTM.

And 60 is the new 50 if you haven't noticed. We, as a group, are the last of the politically active and financially independent groups that America is likely to see. A 60-year old has 15-20 years left and is likely to remain politically involved the remainder of their lives.

I prefer to say "60 is the new 40." ;D

I don't discriminate between the non-Rish listener and normal 60+ person but I don't see the same fanatic right wing devotion in the older set that I do in the generation that follows us.

I see the opposite. I spend a lot of time in the Geezer World neighborhoods of east Mesa. Judging by the conversations I've had, a good number seem to worship everything spewing from their radios on AM 550. Limbaugh is God in that area. I don't see such fanaticism from folks younger than 40 like I do in the 55+ set.

I just don't see many of today's or tomorrow's young people bothering with '90s-style talk radio of any political stripe. And if they're not listening, who will bother advertising?

I think you nailed this.

Thanks. Again, that right- and left-wing fanaticism just doesn't seem to be there in most folks younger than 40. It wasn't there in my young-adult years ('70s & '80s) either for the most part. Sure, you'll find it (especially on the left) on college campuses, but once these kids have graduated and are now finding out what either working or unemployment are like, they have other priorities in life than following politics and listening to fact-challenged windbags on AM radio.

 

[landtuna]

I spend a lot of time in the Geezer World neighborhoods of east Mesa. Judging by the conversations I've had, a good number seem to worship everything spewing from their radios on AM 550. Limbaugh is God in that area. I don't see such fanaticism from folks younger than 40 like I do in the 55+ set.

I agree with your last sentence but then I don't see the -40 set listening to radio (exception of AMD) at all.

I live in an area of older homeowners but not a retirement neighborhood and the political climate here is definitely moderate. There are people on both sides of the aisle but it seems to depend more upon the specific issue than the party. I think my neighborhood is a bit more politically active than most because we have a city council member in our midst who tends to keep everybody aware and informed. Your East Mesa people seem more the "get off my lawn" types. ;D

 

[nomadcowatbk]

Folks older than 60 who are currently listening to Limbaugh and Hannity on Ancient Modulation? Who cares about them anymore? They're dying of old age and, by extension, more politically irrelevant by the day.

Au contraire. Folks 60 and older are one of the most concise voting blocs in our country at the moment. Compared to other voting age blocs they tend to have the highest percentage turnout and, including the slightly younger Boomers, are also one of the most populous. I really doubt any serious politician relegates them to "irrelevant".

And 60 is the new 50 if you haven't noticed. We, as a group, are the last of the politically active and financially independent groups that America is likely to see. A 60-year old has 15-20 years left and is likely to remain politically involved the remainder of their lives.

I don't discriminate between the non-Rish listener and normal 60+ person but I don't see the same fanatic right wing devotion in the older set that I do in the generation that follows us.

I just don't see many of today's or tomorrow's young people bothering with '90s-style talk radio of any political stripe. And if they're not listening, who will bother advertising?

I think you nailed this.

60+ are set in their voting and spending habits

 

[MC]

Getting people to the polls can be important for any demographic, and talk radio advertising can help that perhaps. I wonder if ratings for talk radio will drop after the election?

Some of the talk radio talking points seem pretty critical of certain market trends in various market sectors e.g. energy efficient automobiles and "organic"and "cage free" food.

Many big advertisers are going in one direction, and talk radio in another. Not good for advertising.

 

[landtuna]

60+ are set in their voting and spending habits

Depends on the specifics.

If "voting" on morally-based issues, such as abortion, are considered then I agree with you. If it involves the personal behavior of a candidate then I don't. We now have a president in office because a significant number of Republicans went moderate the last election and a large reason given for that movement was the unacceptable record of the previous president. While the last presidential election was affected by the so-called "youth" vote there was the always-present big numbers of the older voters who apparently switched sides.

If you're talking about peanut butter or toothpaste brands I agree with you. Things that are less personal then no. Relatively cheap consumables are marketed and bought mostly by personal preference except for the minority who buy on price alone. Most older people I know do the same thing I do on major purchases - they research first. I bought a new car last year and for the first time it was a brand from a country never before purchased. I recently bought a new HDTV and, again, it was a brand new to me. It is significant to note that advertising played absolutely no part in either purchase. The products were all researched and the buy made based upon that data.

There are still older people who do not buy this way but as time goes by that old clinker of "age determines buying habits" gets more and more outdated.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

60+ are set in their voting and spending habits

Depends on the specifics.

..............but as time goes by that old clinker of "age determines buying habits" gets more and more outdated.

Chalk me up as a couple of seasons older than Land Tuna.... but I also do damage to your neat, tidy little package that the over 60 crowd if rigid and fixed.

Let's see... in the last two years I bought a luxury car.... my first new car purchase in 10 years. I, too, bought a new flat-screen HDTV.... a new computer and two flat screen monitors. Bought a serious amateur camera. A couple of pieces of serious Adobe software and a couple of less-serious Adobe offerings. I've remodeled my man-cave office/studio. Switched my cable/Internet/phone to a new vendor. Bought a monitor calibrator so my photography editing comes out a bit better looking. For the first time in my life volunteered to work in politics and am on my county committee. Different party than I voted for 35 years. Bought a new lawnmower. Switched my wife to a different cell phone carrier two weeks ago. If it works well, I will switch also. I have a 30 year old nice furniture massive entertainment unit that the new TV didn't fit so I bought some hardwood, a new power tool or two, some oak lumber and totally rebuilt the center section of the entertainment unit. The deck will get refinished and stained this year with a new "cap" atop the railing. I'm looking for a new grill to sit on the deck. And in the last two years I turned in a bought a significant web-building software package and now have multiple sites on my server.

Yeah.... I'm one of those pathetic over-60 folks that advertisers know are too bone-headed to be much of a consumer.

And what new bee has taken up residence in my bonnet? I'm trying to slow down long enough to conquer HDR photography concepts. I feel at least one more software purchase coming on.

 

[KeithE4]

Your East Mesa people seem more the "get off my lawn" types. ;D

They're certainly not "my" east Mesa people. I have no desire to live there at all. Just because I'm getting old doesn't mean I want to be old.

And "'Get off my lawn' types" perfectly describes Rush Limbaugh and his audience. ;D

 

[umfan]

Many advertisers reach out to the older demographic. Yes, 18-49 is the part of the pie that everyone wants, but that portion is shrinking, yet still has the most competition for ad placement. Limbaugh has never been sold as a demo sweet spot show yet he makes $20-$30 MILLION a year.

And all of the sudden the fact that he has older listeners is a problem?

As Macaulay Culkin used to say, "I don't think so."

 

[nomadcowatbk]

Many advertisers reach out to the older demographic. Yes, 18-49 is the part of the pie that everyone wants, but that portion is shrinking, yet still has the most competition for ad placement. Limbaugh has never been sold as a demo sweet spot show yet he makes $20-$30 MILLION a year.

And all of the sudden the fact that he has older listeners is a problem?

As Macaulay Culkin used to say, "I don't think so."

he's a valuable GOP propagandist