Posted on 09/15/2006 2:24:28 AM PDT by pookie18
With One High Profile Name Leading The Way, A Significant Post-Merger Exodus Looks Increasingly Likely At ABC Radio.
As you may know, the rumor mill has been in overdrive for months. And now, it appears there is substance behind the chatter. Radio's story of the year, what will happen when Citadel finally merges its operations with that of ABC Radio, seems at last to be taking shape.
And right out of the gate, we have an earthquake: news that Sean Hannity is extremely likely to leave ABC Radio Networks, as soon as it is contractually possible.
That means Hannity, one of the country's most important talk show hosts, would be free of the combined operation as soon as one year from its completion date. Or, by mutual agreement, it could happen even earlier.
Either way, it's a near certainty that the conservative talker and FOX News Channel television host will be moving his base of radio operations somewhere else.
In addition, there are strong indications that a number of additional hosts and managers may also depart Citadel's ABC operation, some by choice and others due to the company's change of direction. Since contractual dates and terms differ, however, exits could be spread out gradually, rather than as one sudden exodus.
One outside source sympathetic to the plight of ABC's staffers told me they have a right to be paranoid: "...there have been many unhappy faces around the ABC watercooler, fearing that Citadel will make the kind of changes that will thwart their efforts of making good radio. Most industry personnel would be nervous at the thought of a takeover, but the ABC staffers, most of whom have been there for many years, have valid concerns," according to the observer.
Which side?
According to insiders with knowledge of the situation, the issue apparently isn't one of unhappiness by Hannity, the indications of dissatisfaction are instead coming from Citadel's side of the fence.
What are they and why is Hannity one of the first to potentially depart? One issue could be ratings: Sean's have been a mixed bag across the country this year, strong in some places, weak in others.
But the same could be said about Rush and almost every other syndicated political talker. Clearly, the market is saturated with far too many of them. Many firms have signed up talent seemingly without regard for audience demand and there simply aren’t enough stations for all of them.
With hot election year contests now underway, however, the fall book should show gains almost across the board. Already, we've seen some unusually heated primary battles in key races, which gave talkers an early dose of excitement to pick apart.
But there's simply no denying that talk radio, particularly on the syndicated side, is in a slump. Beyond the low-hanging fruit that emerges when big things happen, picking compelling topics the rest of the time is a challenge. Increasingly, creativity has gone out the window, making way for news event- driven talk. That approach makes generating consistent ratings growth difficult.
Another theory behind Hannity’s departure is that it could simply represent a philosophy shift by ABC's incoming owners. Another source has told me that Citadel is likely to favor more local talk on ABC's stations than has been the case recently, particularly on stations as large as WABC in New York City.
An obvious way to increase local programming would be to add it during the afternoon drive timeslot, a place Sean occupies on the East Coast. That means that Hannity may not just be looking for a new syndicator, but also new affiliates in some or all of ABC's markets.
Also, the mixed track record of ABC's owned-and-operated news/talk stations can't be ignored. While some continue to dominate their local ratings, others have been troubled for years, seemingly without much attention paid by the company. Why did they allow KABC in Los Angeles to slowly deteriorate over time? As hard as it may be to remember now, at one time there was actually a horse race between KFI and KABC, but the latter lost the fight long ago.
Lastly, the elephant in the room is painted green. It could NOT be said that Citadel has a history of paying top-dollar for air talent, in fact the situation has been quite the opposite, compared to other firms. It's very possible that some of ABC's talkers (and managers) are simply making more than Citadel is willing to accept, particularly with a declining ratings and revenue picture.
We'll be keeping track of every merger development here at Inside Radio
Since you're in Atlanta, can you explain why Rush doesn't beat mealy mouthed (although I enjoy financial talk) Clark Howard rating wise?
Even if this is something of a hit piece, those in the trade would immediately see it and attack it. Unfortunately, most of the comments here are from non trade associated folks speculating that this is a hit peice.
My guess is there are statistics backing the writers assumptions. If Citadel sees Hannity as a money maker, they will keep him. If they see him as something else, or they believe that something will outperfomr Sean in terms of ratings or expecially $$$, then they may work to move him on.
Yeah, Cisco is going to be part of a new morning team with an ex-C&W deejay. And I'm pretty sure Steve will be the news director at WCBS in NYC. (He was also the stadium announcer at Chicago Bulls games).
I do not know anything about the ratings in the Atlanta/north Georgia market. But I do like Clark Howard. He does an outstanding and very informative show.
Hannity rarely adds any new thought to the arena of ideas as far as I can tell. He's a good cheerleader for the conservative cause, but doesn't stimulate the brain pan much. I like talkers like Rush, Boortz, Savage, Laura, that create net new thoughts and ideas. I'd rather listen to someone I disagree with, even frequently, if they are making me understand new things or challenge my own thinking.
yeah, ask a simple question and get 25 pages of useless figures and numbers, but not an answer to your question. Point this out to them and get flamed in seconds..... no real debate is welcome
In the p.m. when I'm not listening to White Sox games I'll check in to see if Savage has a good rant for the day, and will stay there if he's on a roll. Later on I can tune in the east coast stations (really liked John Batchelor's show on WABC).
Most of the time I find that talk show topics are old news -- I've already read about them online earlier that day, and they've been thoroughly freeped.
So if I understand your position, you listened to Hannity for a couple of months two years ago, got fed up with his promotion of his recent books, determined that he was stale and boring for that reason...and then two years later you pop up on this thread purporting him to be the same stale and boring guy, except you haven't listened to him for two years...how would you know, exactly, how he is today, since you don't listen...
"That means Hannity, one of the country's most important talk show hosts".....
Well, I wouldn't go quite that far.....
The author makes it sound like there are "far too many" conservative radio programs. I dont' believe that's the case.
Now liberal radio is a different story, one could lump in all the lamestream media propaganda in that description.
FOX News Radio is mainly for the top and bottom hour newscasts. The top of the hour newscast is 3 or 5 minutes in length (some stations don't carry all 5 minutes - opting for local news/weather), and the bottom hour newscast is merely a "FOX News Update" which I believe is 2.5 minutes in length.
ABC making room for Air America!
Ironically, talk radio is dying a slow death because of its unexpected success. These media empires have flooded the airwaves with second-rate imitations in a vain attempt to capitalize on Rush Limbaugh's phenomenal success in the late 1980s.
Funny you should mention them. His pathetic @ss-kissing of Don King a while back on his Fox News show was the moment he officially "jumped the shark," in my book.
Morning you have mail! :)
We don't need anyone telling us what to think about the news. Certainly not Hannity.
Rush is pure entertainment and there is no one better. He informs, amuses, and even when he occasionally gets below the belt, we always get something worthwhile from his show.
"..a few minutes of commercials a few times an hour.."
LOL!
Now, who do?
Who do ya think your foolin?..
:oD
Thanks for the info on Fox News Radio
Wait, you mean Sean actually wrote a book? You have got to be kidding!
Anyway I doubt we could be so lucky to have Sean leaving talk radio.
But as we go to commercial break don't forget to buy my book, and coming up next hour we are going to have a shootout with my good buddy Rev Al and we are going to have my good buddy Howrad Dean too. Then we will have an interview with my good buddy Ollie North and Tonite on Hannity and Colmes dont forget to tune in. Oh you are a great American and dont forget three hours a day ever day
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