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Sean Hannity on 1210
- Thread starter trolleyk
- Start date
PS - Hannity's earliest "quit date" is June 8th IF 1) quiet negotiations fail or 2) it's determined that the one-year contract break since Citadel took over ABC Radio was a "sale" or a "merger." If a merger, he stays with ABC for another year of what was a five-year deal signed in 2004.
Word has Premiere sharing the "costs" of a Hannity program with ABC Radio ... affording him the "Rush-like" salary he wants and a time slot that would either compete directly with Rush or the same one as now. Will be curious to see how this turns out, with Glen Beck getting a recent $50 million, five year deal from Premiere (allegedly, twice as much as what Hannity gets for radio now.) Word, too, is that he'd like "Rush money" -- 10 years at $25-million per ... as a start. Rush's contract is up in just over a year. Would Hannity also get the same "signing bonus" in the millions as Rush reportedly got, as well?
Word has Premiere sharing the "costs" of a Hannity program with ABC Radio ... affording him the "Rush-like" salary he wants and a time slot that would either compete directly with Rush or the same one as now. Will be curious to see how this turns out, with Glen Beck getting a recent $50 million, five year deal from Premiere (allegedly, twice as much as what Hannity gets for radio now.) Word, too, is that he'd like "Rush money" -- 10 years at $25-million per ... as a start. Rush's contract is up in just over a year. Would Hannity also get the same "signing bonus" in the millions as Rush reportedly got, as well?
Why would Sean Hannity leave p.m. drive to move to middays, where Rush Limbaugh, who has a larger audience than Hannity despite Hannity being on in drive time, is ensconsed on most of the same radio stations Hannity is currently on? That would be suicide.
Of the three major syndicators that also own radio stations, only one, Westwood One (which doesn't own radio stations but has a carriage agreement with CBS) owns talk stations in Philadelphia. ABC (Citadel) and Premiere (Clear Channel) don't. (I'm not counting Salem in this group - does anyone think Hannity might go there?) Clear Channel is not flipping any of its FM stations to talk. Certainly not the kind of talk that features Sean Hannity. WPHT can run whatever syndicated AM talk shows it wants from whatever syndicator. It's the only game in town.
Only Westwood One has connections with a station here (via whatever deal WW1 has with CBS).
Of the three major syndicators that also own radio stations, only one, Westwood One (which doesn't own radio stations but has a carriage agreement with CBS) owns talk stations in Philadelphia. ABC (Citadel) and Premiere (Clear Channel) don't. (I'm not counting Salem in this group - does anyone think Hannity might go there?) Clear Channel is not flipping any of its FM stations to talk. Certainly not the kind of talk that features Sean Hannity. WPHT can run whatever syndicated AM talk shows it wants from whatever syndicator. It's the only game in town.
Only Westwood One has connections with a station here (via whatever deal WW1 has with CBS).
Because he'd like to be an alternative to Rush ... in the same time slot. Not suicide at all. Stations would have the right to keep him right where he is, live, in PM Drive if they wanted to (as is done with his show in other dayparts and with other personalities.) It would pick up more stations who aren't "Rush" stations.
Further, he'd still keep tons of current affiliates. Done all the time.
Further, he'd still keep tons of current affiliates. Done all the time.
oaktree said:Because he'd like to be an alternative to Rush ... in the same time slot. Not suicide at all. Stations would have the right to keep him right where he is, live, in PM Drive if they wanted to (as is done with his show in other dayparts and with other personalities.) It would pick up more stations who aren't "Rush" stations.
Um, they couldn't run him "live" in PM drive if his show were live in middays. They can run him on tape in PM drive, but who would?
oaktree said:Further, he'd still keep tons of current affiliates. Done all the time.
What percentage of current affiliates are also Rush affiliates? I'd imagine something close to zero percent of those would dump Rush for him. Which means they either run him on tape or don't run him.
If he stays in afternoons, he can pretty much keep every single current affiliate, probably even WABC owned by the company he just left. Why would he do anything other than that?
oaktree said:Because he'd like to be an alternative to Rush ... in the same time slot. Not suicide at all. Stations would have the right to keep him right where he is, live, in PM Drive if they wanted to (as is done with his show in other dayparts and with other personalities.) It would pick up more stations who aren't "Rush" stations.
Further, he'd still keep tons of current affiliates. Done all the time.
No, no and no. Hannity would be crazy to take on Rush head to head and he knows it. He has a nice niche on PM drive, it works with his TV duties and I seriously doubt that he would consider another time slot. Also, I'd venture that some 85-90% of his affiliates also carry Rush. The only big one that I can think of that carries him without Rush is KSL in Salt Lake City. Either he's in tandem with Rush or he's on a flea-powered wannabe that doesn't carry Rush or have many listeners (like the Salem station that just went Spanish in Boston).
If he chose to take on Rush head to head, he would lose almost all of his affiliates - certainly all of the good ones. It's a no win for him and he knows it. Forget it.
trolleyk said:Remember O'Reily is live from 12PM-2PM in most markets.
If you look at the top AM issues talk station in any given market, Rush Limbaugh is on in middays. If he's not, it's because there's a local show on. When O'Reilly gets a live clear, it's generally on the second-tier talk station in the market.
Sean Hannity adding himself to the already crowded midday field would make no sense when he pretty much has PM drive all to himself in syndicated issues talk.
1. Hannity wants more money ... and lots of it. He reportedly doesn't like the ABC / Citadel philosophy. Would Citadel pay him "Rush-like money?" Not in their current economic fix, possibly.
2. Hannity is on in mid-day in most every west coast market (and there are a lot of the majors) as he goes live at Noon. Rush is on at 9 a.m. Some stations move Hannity to late afternoon.
3. In the Mountain time zone, he's on at 1 p.m.
4. In the Central time zone he's on at 2 p.m.
5. He's actually only on the air in "PM Drive" on the east coast. 2 hours in Central, 1 hour in Mountain 0 hours in the West.
6. A lot of this may be "bluff." Of course he'd want to go in tandem with Rush, but right now, he's not. He'd have to get the deal from Premiere first ... then they'll put him where they want him. If it's "live" after Rush, little changes, except he'll be paid by Premiere and not ABC / Citadel. But ... if he wanted to add affiliates, being "Live" isn't all that much the most important thing, as he's delayed in markets now. Would stations dump Rush for Hannity? Not likely. But what chance of getting 600 affiliates does he have now? Not much... and he's 70 away.
So, how do you get more affiliates? That 15% of stations of 600 could, 2nd tier and all, be well worth it IF he keeps the affiliates he has now.
2. Hannity is on in mid-day in most every west coast market (and there are a lot of the majors) as he goes live at Noon. Rush is on at 9 a.m. Some stations move Hannity to late afternoon.
3. In the Mountain time zone, he's on at 1 p.m.
4. In the Central time zone he's on at 2 p.m.
5. He's actually only on the air in "PM Drive" on the east coast. 2 hours in Central, 1 hour in Mountain 0 hours in the West.
6. A lot of this may be "bluff." Of course he'd want to go in tandem with Rush, but right now, he's not. He'd have to get the deal from Premiere first ... then they'll put him where they want him. If it's "live" after Rush, little changes, except he'll be paid by Premiere and not ABC / Citadel. But ... if he wanted to add affiliates, being "Live" isn't all that much the most important thing, as he's delayed in markets now. Would stations dump Rush for Hannity? Not likely. But what chance of getting 600 affiliates does he have now? Not much... and he's 70 away.
So, how do you get more affiliates? That 15% of stations of 600 could, 2nd tier and all, be well worth it IF he keeps the affiliates he has now.
If he goes to Premiere, and Rush still works for Premiere, there is even less chance of moving his show from 3 p.m. ET to noon. It's almost nil with any other company, but completely nil with Premiere for as long as Rush is still there. Why would they sell two competing shows rather than a 6 hour block of compatible programming? What possible advantage is there for Premiere?
The answer is that Premiere is the most likely place for Hannity to show up and his time slot will stay the same with them as it is now. And, that's for the best. He'd fit perfectly there.
Oaktree's worry about whether he's on in drive time or not is just semantics. The main time zone to worry about via syndication is Eastern. Besides, it's more important that he follows Rush on most of the big stations as he does now. And, on others, he follows local PM drive programming on a tape delay (i.e. WLS, WTIC). In all of the above-described examples, he follows strong lead-ins....either Rush or local PM drive personalities like Roe Conn on WLS.
No way he goes head to head with Rush. If he wants "more money....and lots of it" going up against Rush is not the way to get it. He'd get clobbered and he knows it. He would end up on a bunch of second tier stations and would become increasingly irrelevant. Hannity's people know better than to do that.
Oaktree's worry about whether he's on in drive time or not is just semantics. The main time zone to worry about via syndication is Eastern. Besides, it's more important that he follows Rush on most of the big stations as he does now. And, on others, he follows local PM drive programming on a tape delay (i.e. WLS, WTIC). In all of the above-described examples, he follows strong lead-ins....either Rush or local PM drive personalities like Roe Conn on WLS.
No way he goes head to head with Rush. If he wants "more money....and lots of it" going up against Rush is not the way to get it. He'd get clobbered and he knows it. He would end up on a bunch of second tier stations and would become increasingly irrelevant. Hannity's people know better than to do that.
I wouldn't be so sure. This is the same company that is paying $50-million over five years for Glen Beck and he's not being cleared in a lot of normally strong Premiere markets. As for "semantics," I respectfully disagree. Any "live" is better than tape delayed, especially when something of subsequence happens, especially on Hannity's show. It sounds awful to hear of an event, then "breaking news" on a Hannity delay three to six hours later.
And as for "the East coast" being more important in syndication, I think that bears some reconsideration. The Northeast may be high and mighty, but I wouldn't give up on Southern California, Northern California, Seattle, Salt Lake, Phoenix, Denver and split the midwest.
I'd take a KFI every bit as much as I would a WABC -- A KGO every bit as a WRKO.
And as for "the East coast" being more important in syndication, I think that bears some reconsideration. The Northeast may be high and mighty, but I wouldn't give up on Southern California, Northern California, Seattle, Salt Lake, Phoenix, Denver and split the midwest.
I'd take a KFI every bit as much as I would a WABC -- A KGO every bit as a WRKO.
For now, it's all just speculation.
Here's another piece or two ... Limbaugh's contract is up in less than two years. If he were to "retire" ... and Hannity were with Premiere, wouldn't it be a natural to move him into Rush's slot? I think it would. Rush working for another ten year contract? Hard to say at 57 ...
Another name not year mentioned as a possibly syndicator ... Tribune. Randy Michaels and Sam Zell aren't hiring all of those ex-Clear Channel Radio people for nothing. And Zell / Michaels already have lots of Jacor experience in making gobs of money in the past. What a plum for Hannity ... and to get a launch for Tribune Radio.
Plus, they've got the bucks to do a "write your own ticket" deal. Especially if those Clear Channel / Premiere affiliates decided to keep him in the fold. Wouldn't that (530 stations) be a feather in the cap of Tribune?
I smell bidding war...semantics or not. He wouldn't have to leave his new Long Island digs, either.
Here's another piece or two ... Limbaugh's contract is up in less than two years. If he were to "retire" ... and Hannity were with Premiere, wouldn't it be a natural to move him into Rush's slot? I think it would. Rush working for another ten year contract? Hard to say at 57 ...
Another name not year mentioned as a possibly syndicator ... Tribune. Randy Michaels and Sam Zell aren't hiring all of those ex-Clear Channel Radio people for nothing. And Zell / Michaels already have lots of Jacor experience in making gobs of money in the past. What a plum for Hannity ... and to get a launch for Tribune Radio.
Plus, they've got the bucks to do a "write your own ticket" deal. Especially if those Clear Channel / Premiere affiliates decided to keep him in the fold. Wouldn't that (530 stations) be a feather in the cap of Tribune?
I smell bidding war...semantics or not. He wouldn't have to leave his new Long Island digs, either.
Perfect ... you were just the post I was waiting for.
"Semantics" or not ... think of this scenario.
There is ONE company that we've all forgotten to mention in the "bidding war." A company loaded with money. Loaded with properties and one loaded with recent past Clear Channel execs who would just chomp at the Randy Michaels / Sam Zell bit to do this.
That's right ... Tribune.
Zell & Michaels were behind Jacor and made huge sums of money on the deal pre-Clear Channel. Then, when Premiere, Clear Channel and all the spinoffs came about ... Randy Michaels was quickly tossed under the bus and I bet has the tire marks to prove it.
Imagine a Tribune starting out, just as Premiere did with Limbaugh. None of Hannity's 530 stations would have to defect ... but how many of them are Clear Channel talkers who would hate to lose him at any cost ... whether he's with Tribune or not?
Talk about Michaels having the last laugh.
Plus, word is that Zell / Michaels are just waiting for the Bain - Lee closing, so they can move in on quite a few of those Clear Channel outlets that will be spun into the ground, unless someone picks them up? Who better with a Hannity on board than Tribune.
Oh, they wouldn't be happy in San Anotonio.
And ... Hannity on WGN? Heck, why not? Hannity to stay on 530 affiliates? (Except WLS) Why not? It happened with Rush moving to other stations once Clear Channel took over.
Then, Tribune would build a foundation of taking so-called 2nd tier talent, leaving Premiere with the moneybag with Rush, Beck and the other stuff ... while Tribune courts Boortz, Ingraham, Bennett, Levin, Savage, etc. etc.
This could get nasty. But Hannity could stay home in Long Island and, essentially, phone it in for huge sums of money ... all the while, Tribune is buying up Clear Channel's castoffs.
It would be war. And who better to give radio that kind of shot in the arm than Randy Michaels.
I hope to stay alive awhile longer to see it happen.
The people just hired by Tribune aren't in there to run newspapers or online services. They're RADIO people. Now, let's knosh on that idea...
"Semantics" or not ... think of this scenario.
There is ONE company that we've all forgotten to mention in the "bidding war." A company loaded with money. Loaded with properties and one loaded with recent past Clear Channel execs who would just chomp at the Randy Michaels / Sam Zell bit to do this.
That's right ... Tribune.
Zell & Michaels were behind Jacor and made huge sums of money on the deal pre-Clear Channel. Then, when Premiere, Clear Channel and all the spinoffs came about ... Randy Michaels was quickly tossed under the bus and I bet has the tire marks to prove it.
Imagine a Tribune starting out, just as Premiere did with Limbaugh. None of Hannity's 530 stations would have to defect ... but how many of them are Clear Channel talkers who would hate to lose him at any cost ... whether he's with Tribune or not?
Talk about Michaels having the last laugh.
Plus, word is that Zell / Michaels are just waiting for the Bain - Lee closing, so they can move in on quite a few of those Clear Channel outlets that will be spun into the ground, unless someone picks them up? Who better with a Hannity on board than Tribune.
Oh, they wouldn't be happy in San Anotonio.
And ... Hannity on WGN? Heck, why not? Hannity to stay on 530 affiliates? (Except WLS) Why not? It happened with Rush moving to other stations once Clear Channel took over.
Then, Tribune would build a foundation of taking so-called 2nd tier talent, leaving Premiere with the moneybag with Rush, Beck and the other stuff ... while Tribune courts Boortz, Ingraham, Bennett, Levin, Savage, etc. etc.
This could get nasty. But Hannity could stay home in Long Island and, essentially, phone it in for huge sums of money ... all the while, Tribune is buying up Clear Channel's castoffs.
It would be war. And who better to give radio that kind of shot in the arm than Randy Michaels.
I hope to stay alive awhile longer to see it happen.
The people just hired by Tribune aren't in there to run newspapers or online services. They're RADIO people. Now, let's knosh on that idea...
oaktree said:Hannity could stay home in Long Island and, essentially, phone it in for huge sums of money
Isn't that what he's doing now?
By the way, is there ANYTHING Hannity offers that Limbaugh doesn't?
Anything?
cm454 said:oaktree said:Hannity could stay home in Long Island and, essentially, phone it in for huge sums of money
Isn't that what he's doing now?
By the way, is there ANYTHING Hannity offers that Limbaugh doesn't?
Anything?
He offers his own youth. But yeah, that's pretty much it.
Does Hannity do the show from Long Island now? What's the point of that if he has to be in Manhattan every night at 9 to be on TV?
W
WTUX
Guest
To me, Hannity is Rush minus the entertaining personality. Rush knows how to entertain plus get his point across. That is what made him the success he is. Hannity just knows how to be angry.
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