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EXCLUSIVE: Key analyst says talk radio’s biggest companies close to pulling the plug
Media Equalizer ^ | 9/8/14 | Brian Maloney

Posted on 09/08/2014 2:28:45 PM PDT by GulliverSwift

Cumulus, which merged with Citadel Communications (which itself had absorbed ABC Radio) a few years back, has made peculiar choices searching for “the next Rush Limbaugh”, with an ill-fated push to syndicate moderate Mike Huckabee, which ended up a disaster. From the left, it tried to do the same with Geraldo Rivera, but that fared even worse.

That might not matter if not for the fact that it owns the nation’s biggest news/talkers (WABC, WLS, WBAP, KGO, KSFO, WJR, sad-sack KABC and more), legendary outlets it has seemingly worked tirelessly to run into the ground.

But Hannity and Limbaugh really have little to do with this disturbing trend. Talk would be much worse off without them. Instead, corporate befuddlement at how to program stations combined with a shortsighted refusal to develop promising new talent (they might leave for the competitor!) has led to its potential downfall.

And politics has played a big role, as well: rather than incorporate an overt Fairness Doctrine, the Obama Administration has relied on behind-the-scenes pressure to undermine the format.

It’s similar to what was predicted by longtime industry executive Brian Jennings in his 2009 book Censorship: The Threat To Silence Talk Radio. Jennings maintained that backdoor approaches would accomplish just as much destruction without generating a public backlash.

And that’s exactly what is occurring: undermine it, weaken it further, let it slowly fade. But conservatives have been unsurprisingly asleep at the wheel.

(Excerpt) Read more at mediaequalizer.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: talkradio
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To: CedarDave

I would love to see Rush go to satellite. He’s repeatedly said he won’t, though. Maybe he’ll (hopefully) change his mind. The sooner the better.


61 posted on 09/08/2014 8:07:38 PM PDT by Jane Long ("And when thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek")
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To: oh8eleven

“Time for both of them to get out from behind the mikes and run for office.”

Different skill sets.


62 posted on 09/08/2014 9:02:29 PM PDT by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
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To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA

Ha!

Talk show hosts bought by advertisers

Politicians bought by saudis and other special interests


63 posted on 09/08/2014 9:06:41 PM PDT by Califreak (Hope and Che'nge is killing U.S.)
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To: jimpick

But let us give props to the man we are talking about, who now does the drive time: Norm Jones! he’s great, but I think they cut down on the callers- they were a blast!

In the morning, I listen to Sirrius.


64 posted on 09/09/2014 5:11:20 AM PDT by blu
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To: fishtank

65 posted on 09/09/2014 5:16:04 AM PDT by Fresh Wind (The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away.)
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To: ctdonath2
Word is auto makers are planning to stop including AM/FM radios in cars altogether within a very few years, replacing them with internet/bluetooth content “browsers”.

And a monthly subscription charge instead of free off the air broadcasts.

66 posted on 09/09/2014 5:22:25 AM PDT by Fresh Wind (The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away.)
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To: Balding_Eagle
This is about the numbers, genius, not what they say.
Thanks moron, that was my point.
67 posted on 09/09/2014 5:22:36 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA
Different skill sets.
Really? Running their big mouths while sitting on their butts is exactly what politicians do 24/7 ... except they don't beg you to buy their tea.
68 posted on 09/09/2014 5:27:11 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: oh8eleven

You mentioned numbers?

Seriously, you need to re-read what you wrote.


69 posted on 09/09/2014 6:13:08 AM PDT by Balding_Eagle (If America falls, darkness will cover the earth for a thousand years.)
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To: blu
Yes Norm is the only reason I still get on to listen. I call a lot and talk to him off air. I was told by someone the station is losing a lot of listeners and the new manager won't admit he caused it.

I am sure You have heard me when I call in. I have been doing it for years. I mostly like calling in and ripping people using info from here. Dave the dumbacrate is one I hit often. Or the idiot's who say islam is caused by us. Free Republic is great for info.

70 posted on 09/09/2014 8:03:33 AM PDT by jimpick
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To: Rockpile

Yup, have all of them on my A.M. dial - problem is in town and office too much electrical interference for a decent signal. Can get him on line (WBAP Dallas) but have to stay close to the computer.


71 posted on 09/09/2014 11:25:50 AM PDT by CedarDave
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To: jimpick

Like! One of us should direct Normy to this thread..he’s nationwide now and has more than 19 listeners :)


72 posted on 09/09/2014 3:02:19 PM PDT by blu
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To: Bullish

I’ve noticed that too. IHeart cuts out a lot or gets stuck on endless government progaganda “commercials” (brought to you by the Ad Council - tie your shoes, eat healthy, excerise, etc.).

I been on Rush 24/7 for years and still am. I download Mark also. I used to pay for Dennis Miller but he gets to offbeat for me at times.


73 posted on 09/09/2014 3:13:05 PM PDT by Fledermaus (Conservatives are all that's left to defend the Constitution. Dems hate it, and Repubs don't care.)
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To: Kickass Conservative

Same with Mark Levin. It’s about 36-37 minutes for each hour with no crap in between. I like Rush’s because he segments each hour. Levin is all three condensed to one file instead of three.


74 posted on 09/09/2014 3:16:12 PM PDT by Fledermaus (Conservatives are all that's left to defend the Constitution. Dems hate it, and Repubs don't care.)
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To: Rockpile

You could also get more stations. They must have forced them to turn down their broadcast wattage from the old days because of the increase in stations.

I grew up near Ft. Smith, AR and we could pick up WLS AM out of Chicago clear as a bell after 5 pm. It was a top 40 station back in the 1970’s.


75 posted on 09/09/2014 3:19:01 PM PDT by Fledermaus (Conservatives are all that's left to defend the Constitution. Dems hate it, and Repubs don't care.)
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To: TexasGator

I had an 8 track recorder. I refused to switch to cassettes when they started coming out. Had to once my 8 track player in the car died.

Never put a CD player in the car, always used a portable. Now everything is digital and I play my MP3 player in the car hooked into the speaker system.


76 posted on 09/09/2014 3:21:56 PM PDT by Fledermaus (Conservatives are all that's left to defend the Constitution. Dems hate it, and Repubs don't care.)
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To: GulliverSwift

Our local afternoon host on WTN 99.7 our of Nashville is Phil Valentine. He’s pretty good. He’s syndicated some but has no podcast.


77 posted on 09/09/2014 3:23:08 PM PDT by Fledermaus (Conservatives are all that's left to defend the Constitution. Dems hate it, and Repubs don't care.)
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To: TexasGator

I still have two eight track players and some tapes somewhere. I did not like the bleedover on eight tracks -———on the cheaper sets anyway ——where you could faintly hear another song besides the one playing.

I like cassettes.


78 posted on 09/09/2014 8:58:52 PM PDT by Rockpile
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To: Fledermaus

Hear in West Texas we get to hear the Mexico flame thrower stations lucky us.

I remember listeniing at night to Rochester,NY; WLW in Ohio and several other distant ones when propagation was good.


79 posted on 09/09/2014 9:04:10 PM PDT by Rockpile
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To: GulliverSwift

Left wing radio doesn’t work because people listen to radio when....wait for it...they are working or driving to or from work.

If I am not working, I can watch TV.


80 posted on 09/09/2014 9:04:22 PM PDT by Vermont Lt (Ebola: Death is a lagging indicator.)
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