Syndicated Talk Radio "Tiers"

[amfmxm]

Lib Talk: Yeah, there is a pecking order...

First Tier--Ed Schultz, Stephanie Miller, Randi Rhodes, Thom Hartmann, Mike Malloy

Second Tier-- Lionel, Rachel Maddow (basically gone to TV now), David Bender, Mark Walsh & David Goodfriend ("Left Jab")

Third Tier-- Young Turks, Mark Maron, Sam Seder

I would add Frangela, Stephanie Miller's substitute, to the list somewhere. The gals host a weekend show on KTLK in Los Angelas and are known for their appearances on VH1's "Best Week Ever." With Rachel going to morning drive, Clear Channel and Dial Global have an opportunity to put the duo in afternoon drive on the West Coast and 7 to 10 p.m. East Coast, with the hope this will be a ratings booster for progressive talk stations in the East.

I agree about Frangela, though I would suggest (as though anyone is listening) that they could play that Morning Drive role on the East Coast. As it is, some are using Press in AMD and others the "Young Turks" and neither has the punch that Frangela packs. Up and coming progressive talk stars, for sure. FWIW, I can't quite fathom why David Bender is still relegated to weekend & sub duty--he's extremely good. Perhaps between those gigs & spot duty on TV he's making too much to risk upsetting the applecart.

Can't argue much with OMW, either. Truth is, "Left Jab" is too much of a niche show to make the list--and Bill Press probably belongs in their place on the Lefty Second Tier.

Don't know if any of you caught Bennett Zier's cover story in Radio Ink a few months back, but I thought he was hinting that he'd be nudging Air America away from progressives and toward the middle. Think CNN... the network nobody loves!

 

[MikefromDelaware]

I'm not sure what the qualifications are for 2nd tier, but I'd think Jim Bohanann would be there. Possibly Kim Kommando also.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Can't argue much with OMW, either. Truth is, "Left Jab" is too much of a niche show to make the list--and Bill Press probably belongs in their place on the Lefty Second Tier.

The problem here is that though I generally agree with this, Mr. Press is basically the default morning drive option for stations in the format. Air America doesn't even program morning drive live. And it sounds like their upcoming attempt to keep Rachel Maddow from dumping radio entirely, and capitalize on her MSNBC fame, will feature no live programming.

This alone may keep Press in the "1st tier", liberal talk division. But I agree with you and others here - the format, what's left of it, badly needs an east coast AMD option other than Bill Press.

 

[Signal_Faded]

I'm not sure what the qualifications are for 2nd tier, but I'd think Jim Bohanann would be there. Possibly Kim Kommando also.

Perhaps for longevity but I don't see his name on many program schedules these days.

For weekend only shows Kommando is in a teir all by herself...it's hard to put her in with M-F talkers though.