Rush Limbaugh: $400m deal through 2016

[ChrisNH]

Somewhere, Whoopi Goldberg is fuming. Somewhere, Olbermann is livid. Somewhere, anyone who invested in or got summarily dispatched by AirAmerica within the past three years is thinking a whole string of expletives. These are all pretty good thoughts to wake up to this morning!

Let's see that 'Fairness Doctrine' work NOW!

 

[Erie_Lackawanna]

fairness-schm-airness...

good luck in telling your friends who are not in radio that you are honestly trying to live on less than 50k per year working in radio...

good for Rush, though. 400,000,000 over the next 8 years - damn, that's a lot of 0s in there - and 2 commas, too. and all with one hand tied behind his back. (note: God wants his talent back. and his lawn mower, too.) but he does owe the Clintons a small chunk of that - without them in office for 8 years, there would have been no real need for Rush's "opposing views," and that would have derailed the spread of Limbaughdom.

seriously - your non-radio friends will no longer believe you. they think we ALL make that kind of coin. ($961,538.46 per week before taxes - that buys a lot of groceries. and cars. and prescription medicine.)

 

[murcuryvapor]

Somewhere, Whoopi Goldberg is fuming. Somewhere, Olbermann is livid. Somewhere, anyone who invested in or got summarily dispatched by AirAmerica within the past three years is thinking a whole string of expletives. These are all pretty good thoughts to wake up to this morning!

Let's see that 'Fairness Doctrine' work NOW!

And sometime in the near future-when Schmoo collapses, goes on on another unfettered binge, or alienates even more of his audience-some exec will be saying, "What the ____ were we thinking?!"

 

[BRNout]

Like him or not, Rush brings home the goods.

He's a proven commodity and wouldn't be getting close to this kind of money unless Premiere thought that it would be profitable for them. And, that's not on a whim; rather, it's based on research. Could they be wrong? I suppose. But they also have a 20 year performance history to consider.

And this: if Obama wins, Rush's listenership will invariably go up. If McCain wins, it still doesn't go down. Win-win.

All of these negative comments smell of sour grapes to me. If you can do radio that's worth $50MM per year, bring it on. Otherwise, have a seat.

 

[aaronread]

I loathe Rush, myself.

But speaking objectively, $400m for 8 years seems risky for Premiere. Sure Rush has a track record, but the industry as a whole will be radically changed by the time 2016 finally rolls around. The Arbitron PPM alone will drastically shake up the ad revenue market. Never mind the impact (or, possibly, lack thereof) of HD Radio, and the potentially industry-decimating impact of wireless internet (via cellphones) reaching the car. I would agree that talk radio like Rush is best-suited to adapt to those changes, and I wouldn't necessarily object to $50 million a year for Rush...I just wouldn't want to be locked into paying that much for that long. A four or five year deal seems a lot safer.

Look at what all the tongues are wagging about this week with the XM-Sirius merger and Stern's $500 million payout? Back then, everyone thought it was, at best, an expensive gamble when Sirius paid Stern that much. Now a lot of people are saying it was a huge mistake.

Of course, the irony is that most of Rush's listenership will still think of him as the voice of the "common man"... :

 

[chitchatjf]

Do you see it staying on RKO till 2016?

 

[Laurence Glavin]

Do you see it staying on RKO till 2016?

If Clear channel goes through with the 50KW upgrade and move of WKOX to the doorstep of Boston, they may flip it to talk featuring shows they own or in which the have an interest: Rush, Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity.

 

[ajhenderson]

Beck, Rush, and Hannity on a 50kW stick. There's a nice combo. WRKO plummets and 'KOX and 'TKK can battle it out.

I am unsure whether the $400 mil includes the alleged "nine figure signing bonus". I somehow don't think it does. Either way, my first thought when I read that was "gee, how can I figure out how to make half a billion dollars in this business?" Too bad the business will be a shell of its old self by the time I'm Rush's age.

 

[rapking]

Crappy,Fat Racist Guy ! Keep more JUNK, on Boston Crappy Radio Dial . A ESPN REJECT !

 

[aaronread]

Do you see it staying on RKO till 2016?

Yeah, probably. I'd imagine Rush will stay on WRKO as long as WRKO stays with conserva-talk...itself something of a dicey proposition since the two biggest draws will both have their current contracts up before then (Howie Carr in 2012 and Sox games in 2016). Howie's already shown a huge desire to leave, and it's even-money whether the Sox just pony up to buy a station of their own next time around. (shrugs)

If Clear channel goes through with the 50KW upgrade and move of WKOX to the doorstep of Boston, they may flip it to talk featuring shows they own or in which the have an interest: Rush, Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity.

Possible, but even with the upgrade, WKOX's signal will - I'm told - be no match for a station like WRKO's. Granted, WRKO has the whole nothing-in-the-metrowest-suburbs-at-night issue, but WKOX's signal won't be nearly as strong inside the RT.128 beltway overall. I think the reality with WRCA, WKOX and WUNR is that all three are going to see improvements over their current situations...especially WKOX...but not quite as much as the "50,000 watts" would imply. The difference in frequency (50kW for 680 goes a lot further than 50kW for 1200 or 1600) alone will ensure that.

FWIW, I've heard from, shall we say, "knowledgeable sources," that the Rumba format was (and presumably still is) a "profitable" one for Clear Channel. But given CC's push to sell off all but the most profitable stations...well, who knows what'll happen, ya know?

 

[pqgeorge]

Somewhere, Whoopi Goldberg is fuming. Somewhere, Olbermann is livid. Somewhere, anyone who invested in or got summarily dispatched by AirAmerica within the past three years is thinking a whole string of expletives. These are all pretty good thoughts to wake up to this morning!

Let's see that 'Fairness Doctrine' work NOW!

And sometime in the near future-when Schmoo collapses, goes on on another unfettered binge, or alienates even more of his audience-some exec will be saying, "What the ____ were we thinking?!"

I actually listened to the guy yesterday (albeit briefly) myself. Nobody, even Rush himself, is worth $400,000,000 "playing radio". Then again, Barnum said it best...... (you know.... "Sucker born every minute"). With the way radio is changing, Premiere might eventually say to itself..... "C'MON, .....KICK ME"!

"This is the EIB Network........" (BOOM!) ;D

 

[spilot113]

Nobody, even Rush himself, is worth $400,000,000 "playing radio".

Well, what's the definition of "worth"?

What a able and ready buyer is willing to pay.

I think he's just proved that he's "worth it".

 

[BRNout]

Crappy,Fat Racist Guy ! Keep more JUNK, on Boston Crappy Radio Dial . A ESPN REJECT !

There is absolutely no reason to call Rush "Racist"! He's never said or done anything on the record that is racist and there is no call for you to slander him with that comment. You may not agree with what he says and that's your right. But it is not your right to make such a baseless accusation about someone. Being conservative does not - in any way - equate to being racist. And it's a very nasty thing to say about anyone.

Furthermore, too many people have taken to pointing fingers and labeling those they don't agree with as "racist." Over time, doing so just dilutes the true meaning of the word and of what it is to truly be "racist." That is very dangerous.

In the end, this sort of witch hunt ends up smothering any dialogue that we could ever have in this country about race. And, it's been happening way too often in this election cycle. So let's please cool it.

 

[pqgeorge]

Crappy,Fat Racist Guy ! Keep more JUNK, on Boston Crappy Radio Dial . A ESPN REJECT !

There is absolutely no reason to call Rush "Racist"! He's never said or done anything on the record that is racist and there is no call for you to slander him with that comment. You may not agree with what he says and that's your right. But it is not your right to make such a baseless accusation about someone. Being conservative does not - in any way - equate to being racist. And it's a very nasty thing to say about anyone.

Furthermore, too many people have taken to pointing fingers and labeling those they don't agree with as "racist." Over time, doing so just dilutes the true meaning of the word and of what it is to truly be "racist." That is very dangerous.

In the end, this sort of witch hunt ends up smothering any dialogue that we could ever have in this country about race. And, it's been happening way too often in this election cycle. So let's please cool it.

Totally agreed. Much as I don't agree with his ultra right-wing conservative slant and his bigger-than-life ego and a salary to match, I hardly believe that Rush is a "racist". He is not. That's a heavy-handed word and doesn't jibe with his personality. And there is no place for such accusations to be put on this board. Agree to disagree and we all agree to that. But calling a person like Rush Limbaugh a "racist" is uncalled for and is not-acceptable. And I'm a Liberal.

 

[raccoonradio]

>>Let's see that 'Fairness Doctrine' work NOW!

Ideally, broadcasters should put what succeeds on. They should not be forced by a government
to give "fairness" (if so, then put broadcast TV on the same standard; force Ann Coulter to
be Olby's co-host. Not fair? Neither is the "fairness doctrine". Hopefully Mike Pence's Broadcaster
Freedom Act, which San Fran Nan is apparently against, will be enacted...)

Millions of people read Rolling Stone magazine, which is all ga-ga over Obama in the new issue.
Should the government force it to become 50 per cent conservative views? No, of course not.
Neither should the govt step in to regulate free speech/freedom of the press. Rush is a success
because he knows how to do compelling radio. Eventually there may be a "liberal Limbaugh"
some day and if they're just as successful, so be it. But do not cause harm to talk radio by
forcing lackluster talkers on for "Equal Time". There is plenty of equal time out there in TV,
radio (lib talk, etc.), magazines, newspapers, the Net, movies, etc.

How about equal time for movies? How about forcing theaters to run conservative documentaries
for every Michael Moore film that comes out. Ridiculous, eh? So is the alleged Fairness Doctrine.

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

Crappy,Fat Racist Guy ! Keep more JUNK, on Boston Crappy Radio Dial . A ESPN REJECT !

Care to provide some proof that Rush is racist, or are you just talking through your hat like always?

 

[rapking]

Crappy,Fat Racist Guy ! Keep more JUNK, on Boston Crappy Radio Dial . A ESPN REJECT !

Care to provide some proof that Rush is racist, or are you just talking through your hat like always?

Rush "Black Quarterback" On ESPN, Thats all I need to hear from this Fat Pig. He is on my Al Sharpton, David Duke,and Jimmy The Greek, Racist list.

 

[murcuryvapor]

Crappy,Fat Racist Guy ! Keep more JUNK, on Boston Crappy Radio Dial . A ESPN REJECT !

Care to provide some proof that Rush is racist, or are you just talking through your hat like always?

Rush "Black Quarterback" On ESPN, Thats all I need to hear from this Fat Pig. He is on my Al Sharpton, David Duke,and Jimmy The Greek, Racist list.

Oh come on. It was the drugs talking!

 

[radiodouble]

Somewhere, Whoopi Goldberg is fuming. Somewhere, Olbermann is livid. Somewhere, anyone who invested in or got summarily dispatched by AirAmerica within the past three years is thinking a whole string of expletives. These are all pretty good thoughts to wake up to this morning!

Let's see that 'Fairness Doctrine' work NOW!

And sometime in the near future-when Schmoo collapses, goes on on another unfettered binge, or alienates even more of his audience-some exec will be saying, "What the ____ were we thinking?!"

I actually listened to the guy yesterday (albeit briefly) myself. Nobody, even Rush himself, is worth $400,000,000 "playing radio". Then again, Barnum said it best...... (you know.... "Sucker born every minute"). With the way radio is changing, Premiere might eventually say to itself..... "C'MON, .....KICK ME"!

"This is the EIB Network........" (BOOM!) ;D

rush's deal includes some of the show's inventory that he sells himself and pockets all of it without sharing any of it with bain-clear channel. the guy is a smart businessperson. he has his own big name sponsors which have been with him for almost two decades 20. obviously, they see direct results from buying on his show.

plus, all the numbers you see quoted in the press include performance incentives and bonuses which he may or may not make. kind of like carr's deal with wrko but howie will never see 800g's a year the way he's bumbling on the air.

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

Rush "Black Quarterback" On ESPN, Thats all I need to hear from this Fat Pig. He is on my Al Sharpton, David Duke,and Jimmy The Greek, Racist list.

I asked for proof...not what you think you heard, or possibly didn't hear at all.