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
~ Blue Jays ~
pookie18 said: <.i>That may be due in part to the fact that not all stations carry Hannity live, in favor of established local content that people know and like. WLS in Chicago is but one example. Sean overall does not do well unless he is on the flame thrower signal in the market. Why not as serious, the same is becoming true for Rush. IF you took Sean off WABC and placed him on WMCA, he would come no where close to the top of the ratings heap.
Look at Pittsburg and Minneapolis where Rush left KDKA and KSTP to go to an FM owned by Clear Channel. Both KDKA and KSTP thump the FMs. And while Rush's move to those stations did improve their ratings, they were nothing compared to whay he had on the flame thrower AMs. In Orlando, Rush's station is an also ran in the market.
At one time Rush could take a sick little AM and prop it up. No more.
Isn't Ann Compton another? I may have the name wrong, but the woman I'm thinking of sounds as though she is over intense.
lol
I love Paul Harvey.
Both Hugh and Michael Medved are light years ahead of Hannity IMHO. In Southern California it's Ingraham to Rush to Medved to Hewitt for me.
Monica Crowley is awesome and completely underrated for her knowledge and ability to entertain. I wish she had a better timeslot.
Laura Ingraham makes me howl with laughter, she is so witty...I would never want to cross her in a verbal duel!
Rush Limbaugh has been getting better and better over the years. When I first heard about his inner-ear problem I was practically in tears, it now appears he is better than ever.
With Bob Grant retired, I am very thankful that Mark Levin is on the air. I love his approach and he is another person who is as sharp as a razor when it comes to contemporary history. Excellent entertainment.
~ Blue Jays ~
When i moved I couldn't get Michael Medved any more, because this station carries Savage instead. I really liked Medved.
Just trying to improve the online reading experience!
You are a great American!
We have Laura in that timeslot but it is a replay of the morning show. Still, it beats the alternative in that timeslot (ducks). Laura live at 3 would be an improvement. See the daily Laura thread for listen links.
Yeah, right! We are just full of and fed up with conservative talk radio!
Keep on drinkin' the kool-aid, Socialists!
Although I think Hannity is doing a valuable service-- I see him more as the conservative Oprah-- I can't listen to his show. He is a better path for a liberal to start on the path to conservative thought than most of the other national talk show hosts, but I just don't find him that compelling for three hours a day...
Good for him. I think he once worked at a construction job...or so I've heard.
At Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Let-Freedom-Ring-Liberty-Liberalism/dp/B0002NQ2FM/sr=1-3/qid=1158321218
Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by it slef but the wrod as a wlohe.
Amen to Levin.
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