Progressive Talk: Buffalo In; Chattanooga Out

[mwebster]

All Access:
<blockquote>Report: WDOD/Chattanooga To Drop Air America
According to a column by BAHAKEL Talk WDOD-A/CHATTANOOGA host STUART F. JAMES on THE CHATTANOOGAN website, the station is dropping its AIR AMERICA RADIO programming and has dropped his "VOICE OF CHATTANOOGA" show effective FEBRUARY 7. The station launched the liberal Talk format on NOVEMBER 3.

"WDOD is a commercial venture," JAMES writes, "and it must make money. However, as a commercial venture WDOD should be commended for undertaking this experiment; they should be commended for allowing local leaders, and personalities, the opportunity to help improve our community. Even though the venture did not work, I am proud to have been associated with WDOD, GARY DOWNS and JAMIE HANCOCK."</blockquote>
No word on the new format. Meanwhile, All Access also reports:
<blockquote>LMA Brings Liberal Talk To WHLD/Buffalo
A local group in BUFFALO says it has a deal to program CITADEL's Religions/Ethnic WHLD-A/BUFFALO via an LMA. NIAGARA INDEPENDENT MEDIA says that it will use the station to offer liberal Talk featuring AIR AMERICA RADIO and a local morning show with former crosstown WGR-A and WBEN-A News Dir. RAY MARKS and ALEX BLAIR. The new programming will begin FEBRUARY 13 at 6a. </blockquote>
Here we go again: An LMA with a political group that knows nothing about radio. On the other hand, unlike the station operator in Chattanooga, they may not care if they don't make money.

 

[MattNC]

> All Access:
> Report: WDOD/Chattanooga To Drop Air America
> According to a column by BAHAKEL Talk WDOD-A/CHATTANOOGA
> host STUART F. JAMES on THE CHATTANOOGAN website, the
> station is dropping its AIR AMERICA RADIO programming and
> has dropped his "VOICE OF CHATTANOOGA" show effective
> FEBRUARY 7. The station launched the liberal Talk format on
> NOVEMBER 3.
>
> "WDOD is a commercial venture," JAMES writes, "and it must
> make money. However, as a commercial venture WDOD should be
> commended for undertaking this experiment; they should be
> commended for allowing local leaders, and personalities, the
> opportunity to help improve our community. Even though the
> venture did not work, I am proud to have been associated
> with WDOD, GARY DOWNS and JAMIE HANCOCK."
> No word on the new format. Meanwhile, All Access also
> reports:
> LMA Brings Liberal Talk To WHLD/Buffalo
> A local group in BUFFALO says it has a deal to program
> CITADEL's Religions/Ethnic WHLD-A/BUFFALO via an LMA.
> NIAGARA INDEPENDENT MEDIA says that it will use the station
> to offer liberal Talk featuring AIR AMERICA RADIO and a
> local morning show with former crosstown WGR-A and WBEN-A
> News Dir. RAY MARKS and ALEX BLAIR. The new programming will
> begin FEBRUARY 13 at 6a.
> Here we go again: An LMA with a political group that knows
> nothing about radio. On the other hand, unlike the station
> operator in Chattanooga, they may not care if they don't
> make money.
>

The Chattanooga move isn't too surprising, though I did think it'd last a little longer. More than anything I thought they had a bad lineup for an area like Chattanooga.

 

[mwebster]

Update: Chattanooga Still In

Contradicting the earlier report from All Access, only Stuart James' local program is being discontinued on WDOD, Chattanooga. The station is otherwise continuing with its current progressive talk format.
From Chattanoogan.com:
<blockquote>WDOD Drops Local Morning Shows, Keeping Air America

WDOD AM Radio is canceling the local morning show which airs from 8-9 a.m. Monday-Friday effective today.

However, WDOD officials said they plan to continue with the new Air America format.

Danny Howard, general manager, said, "That is the only programming change that will be made. WDOD-AM WILL continue to air all other programming from its current Air America, and Jones Radio Network personalities. (Including Stephanie
Miller, Al Franken, Randi Rhodes and others) The Bill Press show which airs from 6-8 a.m. will now run from 6-9 a.m. to cover the hole left by the cancellation of the local show.

"No other changes to our programming are planned or scheduled to take place.

"We sincerely thank all the people who contributed and participated in our morning show. However, our audience feedback led us to make this change. WDOD-AM will continue to be an active voice for progressive talk and has seen noticeable growth in ratings among the all important 25-54 demographic. We will continue to work with advertisers and partners who understand the effectiveness of this type of programming.

Stuart James, who was one of the hosts on the morning show, said he had been told next week will be the last for Air America on WDOD. But Mr. Howard said that is not correct.

Chattanooga's oldest radio station switched several months ago from a Music of Your Life format to the liberal Air America.

At the same time, longtime WDOD personality Earl Freudenberg left the station and joined WDYN, the Tennessee Temple station.

The new "The Voice" format featured several 8 a.m. shows hosted by Jamie Hancock. One featured interviews by Betsy Bramlett and another by Mr. James, chairman of the county Democratic Party.</blockquote>

 

[ajhenderson]

> Here we go again: An LMA with a political group that knows
> nothing about radio. On the other hand, unlike the station
> operator in Chattanooga, they may not care if they don't
> make money.

Let them. Maybe they'll end up like KTNF/Minneapolis asking for people to "donate" a day of programming. Um... ever hear of a sales department?

 

[FloridaBear1776]

Chattanooga makes Air America-haters squeal like a pig today

First in delight, then in dismay.

 

[mwebster]

No squealing before noon.

WDOD carries Bill Press and Stephanie Miller. AAR is still only half-time in the Monday through Friday 6 am to 7 pm Dayparts (the only ones that matter).

The local newspaper article on WDOD's flip from Standards to progressive talk mentioned Morning Sedation and Jerry-Jerry. Did they get dumped along the way?

From the descriptions I have read, the one hour "local" program WDOD carried in morning drive (8 am to 9 am) might have more appropriately been put in a Sunday morning public affairs slot. Now if management were to unload Franken and Randi in favor of Hartmann and Big Ed, the station might start to go places.

The only sound currently on Chattanooga radio that resembles pig squeals is Randi whining.

For the record, WDOD flipped from Standards (Jones' Music of Your Life)in late September, right after the start of the fall Arbitron survey period. In the fall book WDOD experienced a 70% drop (down 1.6 to a fraction) in their 12+ AQH. WDOD is co-owned with local AM sports talk and FM AAA stations. They rank third of three talkers in the market. Talk competition is Citadel's non-simulcast WGOW AM and FM. FM runs local talk M-F days, except for Rush on delay (1 pm to 4 pm) and gets a 12+ share well exceeding the number of fingers on one hand. AM is syndicated M-F days with Imus, Beck, Boortz, Hannity. AM has a fractional share just ahead of WDOD.

 

[dampier]

Re: No squealing before noon.

> From the descriptions I have read, the one hour "local"
> program WDOD carried in morning drive (8 am to 9 am) might
> have more appropriately been put in a Sunday morning public
> affairs slot. Now if management were to unload Franken and
> Randi in favor of Hartmann and Big Ed, the station might
> start to go places.

> The only sound currently on Chattanooga radio that resembles
> pig squeals is Randi whining.

Sour grapes. I'm sorry but you are the only Hartmann booster on this board. Randi Rhodes takes getting used to, but if/when that happens, her show works for a LOT of people. She also knows how to run a show.

I think Stephanie Miller could do far more than any station looking to drop an AAR show than any other host, including Schultz and Hartmann.

 

[mwebster]

Progressive talk's sleeper

>
> Sour grapes. I'm sorry but you are the only Hartmann
> booster on this board.
>
(1) Not true. (2) Irrelevant.

Phillip Dampier 02/01/06 09:36 PM
<blockquote>I will have to give him (Hartmann) a listen again. He sounds like a real nice guy, but he still needs some oomph or something. He's definitely easier on the ears than Al Franken. </blockquote>
It's only been a couple of days, so I guess you haven't had a chance to "give him a listen again."

Not sure what you mean by "oomph." Generally, the word means "glamour" or "sex appeal." Warner Brothers named Ann Sheridan the "Oomph Girl." At the time she was Ronald Reagan's regular leading lady.

You seem to prefer a more arguementative host, sort of a liberal version of O'Reilly or Gallagher. Your main criticism of Alan Colmes is he is not aggressive enough in his "debates" with Sean Hannity. The "pit-bull" approach only reaches the choir. Don't discount "nice." As one of my first PD's told me, "they have to like you." As I look back, all really successful radio personalities have had some personally likeable quality, which went beyond whether you agreed with what they were saying. A likeable personality can have an audience appeal that goes beyond ideology (i.e., the liberal KGO hosts). IMHO the big weakness with AAR's air talent is they lack likeability. I don't think the progressive talk format can succeed by trying to copy Rush's act. (Just as the Democractic Party can't win elections with the DLCers trying to "me-too - only not so much" the GOP neo-cons.)

 

[FloridaBear1776]

Re: Progressive talk's sleeper

>Don't discount "nice." As one of
> my first PD's told me, "they have to like you." As I look
> back, all really successful radio personalities have had
> some personally likeable quality, which went beyond whether
> you agreed with what they were saying. A likeable
> personality can have an audience appeal that goes beyond
> ideology (i.e., the liberal KGO hosts). IMHO the big
> weakness with AAR's air talent is they lack likeability. I
> don't think the progressive talk format can succeed by
> trying to copy Rush's act.

I remember Bob Lassiter, a legend in Tampa, a liberal (although he would have denied it) talk host who was VERY confrontational. After one of his early shows, he recalled being dressed down by a program director over his lack of 'niceness' who told him, "I want a (ratings) book full of friends!" Lassiter said on his show that he fired back, "Oh yeah! Well, I want a book full of LISTENERS!" The PD lost his gig soon afterwards.

 

[dampier]

A Perfect Example of Alan Colmes Being a Vichy Collaborator

> It's only been a couple of days, so I guess you haven't had
> a chance to "give him a listen again."

Saying something nice about the guy doesn't mean I am boosting him. Your solution to everything seems to be Hartmann. I think Miller can do better.

> You seem to prefer a more arguementative host, sort of a
> liberal version of O'Reilly or Gallagher.

No, actually my favorite show is Stephanie Miller because it's entertaining and funny. Randi can also be funny and she knows how to do a radio show, which is why I enjoy her as well. I'm not a big fan of just plain screamers (the Savage/Malloy concept) because it gets tiring fast. O'Reilly loses on all counts - his "facts" are highly questionable, he is not entertaining, and the only laughs I get out of him come from laughing AT him, not with him. I'm not alone, considering the number of stations dropping his radio show.

> Your main criticism of Alan Colmes is he is not aggressive enough in
> his "debates" with Sean Hannity.

Because the format demands it. A perfect example of this was Hannity & Colmes last week. They had -one- guest on, so even the usual Hannity/Colmes rules not challenging each other's "interview subject" didn't apply - both got their shot at the same guy. Go and watch the video linked below and tell me why Alan Colmes isn't the reincarnation of The Invisible Man. Please - why is this man even there? That one clip explains why Alan Colmes is the Vichy Collaborator of the Fox News Channel. If he had any self respect AT ALL, he'd resign.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/02/04.html#a7009

> The "pit-bull" approach only reaches the choir. Don't discount "nice."

I don't discount nice, but nobody listened to Michael Jackson and he was nice. Donahue is nice but MSNBC cancelled him. I'm sorry, but nice doesn't sell in talk radio. Look at Jerry Springer. He's the least confrontational of AAR's hosts and what are stations doing? Replacing him with Stephanie Miller in droves.

> As one of
> my first PD's told me, "they have to like you." As I look
> back, all really successful radio personalities have had
> some personally likeable quality, which went beyond whether
> you agreed with what they were saying. A likeable
> personality can have an audience appeal that goes beyond
> ideology (i.e., the liberal KGO hosts). IMHO the big
> weakness with AAR's air talent is they lack likeability.

Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Michael Savage are not nice people at all, but look at their ratings. Hello! Combative talk radio is entertaining talk radio. The only one who seems to have worked some magic at being nice -and- funny while lampooning conservatives is Stephanie Miller. That's one reason I like her a lot.

> I don't think the progressive talk format can succeed by
> trying to copy Rush's act. (Just as the Democractic Party
> can't win elections with the DLCers trying to "me-too - only
> not so much" the GOP neo-cons.)

Well, it is working for several hundred conservative talk radio shows, both national and local, who all parrot the same talking points and do the same basic show, and stations keep airing it because it's evidently entertaining enough to attract listeners. NPR was the closest thing to non-conservative talk radio we had until AAR, and their ratings weren't exactly setting the world on fire.

There is room for shows of all kinds, but don't discount the drum beating that is FINALLY coming from the libtalk segment. Randi and Stephanie's ratings are increasing, not decreasing, and there is a reason for that.

 

[tbetz]

Re: Progressive talk's sleeper

> IMHO the big weakness with AAR's air talent is they lack likeability.

I disagree. Franken at his best often reminds me of Arthur Godfrey, to whom I listened regularly growing up. Even when Franken is most strenuously calling members of the Republican leadership liars, I have a sense that he is doing so with great regret, rather than with relish -- unlike, say, Mike Malloy or Sam Seder.

Godfrey wasn't a particularly nice person in person, but on-air he was exceedingly likeable. I hear that same quality in Franken.<P ID="signature">______________
also known as tombetz.</P>

 

[mwebster]

People have to like you

>
> I don't discount nice, but nobody listened to Michael
> Jackson and he was nice. Donahue is nice but MSNBC
> cancelled him. I'm sorry, but nice doesn't sell in talk
> radio. Look at Jerry Springer. He's the least
> confrontational of AAR's hosts and what are stations doing?
> Replacing him with Stephanie Miller in droves.
>

Michael Jackson had a more than 40 year run in the most competitive radio in the country. "Nobody" listened to him? You've got to watch these sweeping over-generalizations you like to make. He was number one in his time period for three decades.

Phil Donahue had close to 30 years in national TV syndication. His problem was he stopped being this guy from Dayton who connected to his audience, listened to people and was interested in what was happening. He married Marlo, moved to New York, thought he was big time, and an expert, and became annoyingly self-righteous about his opinions. He left his audience and they stopped watching. He should have stayed non-ideological and he might still have a show (but Marlo would have dumped him - life is choices).

Jerry's problem is not his show, which is probably better than anything else on AAR's main feed (and the only show on the main feed they don't produce). It's all the baggage from his trash TV show. (Just as Colmes' problem for you and others is his TV work.)

Rush is likeable and uses the lessons of over 20 years as a DJ, well (although not as likeable as he used to be). He does not take himself too seriously. His pomposity is tongue in cheek. He is not rude to callers (which are the only guests he has). He walks a fine line (unlike the political hacks and comedians hosting talk shows) and mostly manages to avoid being personally disagreeable. He only picks on people bigger than he is.

And sorry, Bear, I never heard of Lassiter. However, I do notice that you speak of him in the past tense. Of course, the approach you describe may work in a market in the Confederacy in which they sell booze in gas stations (fill 'er up has a double meaning), have a high incidence of people living in trailers, and driving pick-ups displaying the stars and bars with gun racks as standard equipment and where first cousins can marry.

Tom, about the only thing Godfrey and Franken have in common is a tendency to nasal resonance. What Franken lacks is Godfrey's ability to seem like he was talking only to you. If anyone is Godfrey's successor today it is Howard Stern.
Again, they key is likeable. Nice works for some. Bad boy works for others (Godfrey, Stern, Carson).

 

[FloridaBear1776]

For a primer on The Mighty Lassiter, visit this link:

http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2005/11/long_live_lassi.html


> And sorry, Bear, I never heard of Lassiter. However, I do
> notice that you speak of him in the past tense. Of course,
> the approach you describe may work in a market in the
> Confederacy in which they sell booze in gas stations (fill
> 'er up has a double meaning), have a high incidence of
> people living in trailers, and driving pick-ups displaying
> the stars and bars with gun racks as standard equipment and
> where first cousins can marry.

Then it should work in just about any red state, actually.

 

[mwebster]

Still never heard of him

And don't want to.

>
> Then it should work in just about any red state, actually.
>

You are referring to the color of inhabitants' necks, no doubt.

Or maybe you are acknowledging that this is another hate-monger talk show host who appeals to the most vile in people.

We would be so much better off if Lincoln had let you people secede and then built a big wall around the CSA.

Notice where God always sends hurricanes.

Happy cross burnings.

 

[gr8oldies]

Re: Still never heard of him

Bob Lassiter was part of the original talk lineup on WLS in 1989, after long stints in Tampa. Most of his opinions were liberal, some weren't, and he was very rude tom callers...basically, if you disagreed with him, you were a moron.