Free Republic

What's it going to take to get talk radio out of this increasingly-dismal ratings slump? The Radio Equalizer is tired of the post-election cycle excuse, since better-programmed stations are falling a bit less, while incompetently-managed outlets are getting creamed. The emerging Spring 2005 figures paint an especially bleak picture that must serve as an urgent industry wake-up call. Spring and fall Arbitron releases are considered the most important for media buyers, a loose parallel to TV's "Sweeps" months.

The ACLU, representing an atheist, is threatening five San Diego-area personalities with legal action over the proposed wording of a ballot initiative that will determine the fate of a historic cross on city land. The five behind the Mt. Soledad initiative are KFMB radio talk-show host Rick Roberts; KOGO radio talk-show host Roger Hedgecock; San Diego Padres radio announcer Jerry Coleman, Rep. Randy Cunningham, R-Calif.; and SoledadNational.com Director Phil Thalmeimer. The attorney for atheist Philip Paulson, James McElroy, has told the men he will file the challenge next week. McElroy claims that a number of their statements on the ballot,...

Newly released Arbitron radio ratings bring some questions to mind, such as: --- Will Air America's apologists finally come up with a fresh batch of excuses, after insisting more time was needed for it to catch on? Isn't that one getting stale? --- Will some of the traditional talk stations, now showing audience declines, make changes soon?

ABC Radio networks recently told TALKERS magazine Sean Hannity is number one with 12+ on KBAC in LA. KFMB in San Diego has Mr. California in the #1 spot as well. However, in San Francisco's KSFO, Hannity is 25-54. ABC Radio Networks' senior VP of programming, John McConnell said this about Sean: "This is a spectacular accomplishment in less than two years of syndication. Most talk personalities take years to create a loyal audience but Sean reached incredible milestones in a very short period of time." On August 26th, WCBM in Baltimore brings talk live to the Maryland State Fair...