WBAL Baltimore has pre-empted Rush's Show

10/14/03 | GreggthePundit

[GreggthePundit]

WBAL Radio has pre-empted Rush's show with Chip Franklin and Ron Smith (local hosts) rather than carrying Rush's show with the guest hosts. I have already voiced my concern to station management and invite all Freepers to follow suit.

[randita]

I won't go out of my way to tune in for Tom Sullivan, but Roger Hedgecock and Walter Williams (both on later this week) are very worthwhile.

[Molly Pitcher]

Bump! Guess they figure they can get away with it in Liberal Land...

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[Cincinatus]

I suspect that this is a business decision, not a political statement. The managers of WBAL figure that they can get more audience by running their local "stars" rather than a bunch of Rush second-stringers. Free market, their decision.

You can still pick up the Rush Limbaugh Show on WMAL 630-AM, Washington from Baltimore.

[capt. norm]

WBAL is a Hearst station. If this is a company-wide move, we'll be hearing about it happening on some of their other stations.

In most markets, a station owner would give his eye-teeth to get the Rush Limbaugh franchise. It's a proven money-maker, so if one station lets it go, there are others waiting for just that opportunity.

[usslsm51]

I have pre-empted WBAL.

[Brian S]

Is Hedgecock the one that is an attorney and former mayor of some city like San Diego?

If so, I heard him last summer tell a agriculural chemical salesman to quit whining and go out and get a "real job".

As if this former politician/attorney/talk radio mouth ever knew the meaning of a "real job".

[smiley]

Tin foil hat time....so, this is what Ed Asner meant when he told Savage that "Sean Hannity is next. We're going after Sean like we did Rush." Liberal stations now move to the left of center with "other" talk shows.....Al Gore announces his new "Liberal, Hip" talk show.....hum.......

[ml/nj]

How does that work?

I thought Rush bought the time from the station, and he then got to sell the commercials for the show.

ML/NJ

[aruanan]

WBAL Radio has pre-empted Rush's show with Chip Franklin and Ron Smith (local hosts) rather than carrying Rush's show with the guest hosts. I have already voiced my concern to station management and invite all Freepers to follow suit.

The word is "replaced". But the sentiment is correct. Tell the management that you're contacting all the advertisers about the switcheroo.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Why gripe? Its a reasonable business decision in any middle sized market, and Rush doesn't have an entitlement outside of his contractual provisions.

If 50% of that audience remains after 30 days, I'll be amazed - in which case, stations will abandon him in droves.

[CMAC51]

>> I suspect that this is a business decision, not a political statement. The managers of WBAL figure that they can get more audience by running their local "stars" rather than a bunch of Rush second-stringers. Free market, their decision.

You can still pick up the Rush Limbaugh Show on WMAL 630-AM, Washington from Baltimore. <<

It's a bonehead move. People who want the show will find an alternative means of getting it. People are creatures of habit. When Rush gets back, many will stay with the alternative. That station has made sure that their long term ratings will be lower for a possible short term gain...typical management dufus.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

I think it works the opposite - the stations buy the programming, then sell their own ads in the slots not prealotted to the national ads.

[CMAC51]

>> Why gripe? Its a reasonable business decision in any middle sized market, and Rush doesn't have an entitlement outside of his contractual provisions.
If 50% of that audience remains after 30 days, I'll be amazed - in which case, stations will abandon him in droves. <<

If Rush loses 50% or his audience, he will still be the biggest hitter in the line-up. There will not be an exodus. The only way Rush loses out is if the quality of his show drops off on his return. If he maintains his on air presence and personality, this will only be a speed bump.

[ml/nj]

I think it works the opposite - the stations buy the programming, then sell their own ads in the slots not prealotted to the national ads.

Maybe. But then someone has purchased those "prealotted slots" and expects them to be heard in Balmer.

ML/NJ

[70times7]

I suspect it was a business decision. I would listen to Ron Smith ahead of any of the subs on Rush's show. The subs I am familiar with are good, and I enjoy them, but I prefer Ron, and it is likely the same with the local audience.

I don't know Chip Franklin, he started on BAL after I moved out of the frying pan and into the fire (MD to NY...what was I thinking?!?!)

[BlackbirdSST]

WBAL will be airing Dr Williams on Friday due to audience request. Evidently, there isn't a demand for the rest of the "replacements". Blackbird.

[metalboy]

Al Gore announces his new "Liberal, Hip" talk show.....

Yeah, did you read that? That one had me on the floor. Putting Algore and the word 'hip'in the same sentence is like calling Charles Manson stable. I could just see Algore`s idea of 'hip'.."I`ve grown a beard..look at me everyone..huh huh huh. Let`s boogie to the hokey pokey."

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Any prepaid monies are either refunded or applied to other programs at a lower rate.

My guess is that every station has a zillion different "outs" written into every contract - bad PR and principal host absence being at the top of that list.