Michael Savage to Exit Airwaves for Podcasting Only

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://news.****************/articles/n39531/Michael-Savage-to-Exit-Airwaves-for-Podcasting-Only

Westwood One's conservative radio and podcast host Michael Savage announced on Wednesday during his syndicated "The Savage Nation" program that he'll exit the airwaves in favor of podcasting, effective January, 2021. He also made the announcement on Twitter. The 78-year-old said in his post: "Too many Chris Wallace types took over radio -- only vanilla permitted."

Savage's radio career began on KGO/San Francisco in 1994 and he entered syndication in the fall of 2000, when "The Savage Nation" was distributed by Talk Radio Network. He left TRN in September, 2012 and later entered a deal to be syndicated by Cumulus Media Networks, before it merged with Westwood One in 2013.

This will come into effect in 2021. I remember Savage was associated with doing a Local show on KSFO in the late 1990;s before going national though via TRN and later Cumulus.

 

[RadioJunkieMike]

"Too many Chris Wallace types took over radio -- only vanilla permitted." Sure. Name 3 "Chris Wallace types", Mr Savage. Even if there are 3, they're not his competition; it's guys who are trying to sound like a cross between Sean Hannity and Alex Jones. (Mark Levin, Ben Shapiro etc.) And who are a lot younger than Savage.

 

[TheBigA]

I think it's less about criticizing who's left on radio, and more about signally the direction he will go in his podcast. The only way for him to stand out is to become more extreme. They were probably not going to let him take that approach on the radio. But he can create whatever conspiracy theories he wants in podcasting. It becomes far more imaginative and far less factual. As compared to Chris Wallace.

 

[CTListener]

He repeatedly turned down opportunities to have his show carried on satellite radio, professing loyalty to his terrestrial affiliates. I wonder if SiriusXM would be interested now. If so, he'd probably be told he can't also distribute it as a podcast.

 

[TheBigA]

If so, he'd probably be told he can't also distribute it as a podcast.

That's usually the stipulation. Sirius wants their content to be exclusive.

 

[CTListener]

That's usually the stipulation. Sirius wants their content to be exclusive.

That's what cut Art Bell's comeback short. He wanted to keep the online option. When SXM said no, he picked up his ball and went home.

 

[Tibbs4]

"Too many Chris Wallace types took over radio -- only vanilla permitted." Sure. Name 3 "Chris Wallace types", Mr Savage. Even if there are 3, they're not his competition; it's guys who are trying to sound like a cross between Sean Hannity and Alex Jones. (Mark Levin, Ben Shapiro etc.) And who are a lot younger than Savage.

What does any of what you are saying have to do with the business of Michael Savage? NOTHING. So get to the point. Haha. (just giving you a Savage line.)

Savage has a large listening audience online, even after he has been secluded by radio. Now you HAVE managed to
find the diamond in the radio sand. Age and audience. He talks to people mostly over 40. There is some amazing loyalty.
Not sure how old you are, but he is continuing old school radio on his own terms on his own website.
He is practicing his version of free speech. I respect that. More and more, radio and TV has to remember
how fleeting their audience is and how easy it is to throw away those listeners and have fewer advertisers.

The crazy outcast seems to have a lot more Teflon than most. He HAS been replaced by very pedestrian hosts
who have to keep the ears glued to a format concept that really is out of sync with the actual desired audience.
Most of the cast on air today won't make it through the next four years.

 

[TheBigA]

He talks to people mostly over 40.

Wow are you generous. You mean WAY over 40. And mostly over 50 too.

They don't like Ben Shapiro because he talks too fast. And because they own socks older than him.

But yes I agree with everything else you said. He can do radio on his own terms as long as he wants.

 

[Tibbs4]

Wow are you generous. You mean WAY over 40. And mostly over 50 too.

They don't like Ben Shapiro because he talks too fast. And because they own socks older than him.

But yes I agree with everything else you said. He can do radio on his own terms as long as he wants.

You know how old I am! Sometimes it hurts to face the truth. AND ----> What's wrong with me being a bit off by three or four DECADES? 75 is the new 40, right?

 

[davideduardo]

You know how old I am! Sometimes it hurts to face the truth. AND ----> What's wrong with me being a bit off by three or four DECADES? 75 is the new 40, right?

I believe that in at least 6 Blue states, it is illegal to refer to anyone under 80 as an "old fart".

 

[TTalkradio1]

I thought he was already off of AM radio.