Rush Limbaugh spokesman: Philly move from AM to FM nothing to do with MoveOn's 'tiny petition'

Daily Caller ^ | April 10, 2012 | Jeff Poor

[Rufus2007]

On Monday, New York Times reporter Brian Stelter wrote that Rush Limbaugh would be leaving his Philadelphia affiliate WPHT, a 50,000-watt “clear channel” AM station, for the WKDN 106.9 FM signal in that market, .

Some on the political left had applauded the move as a victory. A press release sent out by Brad Tucker of Fenton Communications on Tuesday suggested the move occurred because of pressure from MoveOn.org, whose effort was part of a “Get Rush Limbaugh off the air at AM 1210 WPHT” petition which had “received 3,779 signatures.”

But Limbaugh spokesman Brian Glicklich disputed that claim, telling The Daily Caller that the change was already in the works prior to Limbaugh’s ill-advised February remarks about Georgetown Law student and self-described contraception activist Sandra Fluke.

...more...

[Rufus2007]

The left's understanding of how talk radio works is a serious disappointment. But then again, if there were such an understanding Air America might still be around.

[fwdude]

Ahh, Air America. I still can’t figure out how science discovered how to transmit manure through radio waves.

[Paleo Conservative]

Wouldn’t a move from AM to FM be considered an upgrade?

[t2buckeye]

I live in the Philly area and am thrilled that Rush is moving to FM...the AM station is sometimes difficult to get in south Jersey, so this is a great move. I figured when they got rid of Hannity for Michael Smerconish (a local so-called conservative who backed Obama and was the “token” ocnservative guest on MSNBC) that Rush would be gone soon.

Here’s my prediction: 1210 AM will lose listeners and be surpassed by 990 AM (that carries Bill Bennett and others)

[Squawk 8888]

For music, it is nearly always an upgrade because of the audio quality. For talk, it depends. The AM station they were on was a “clear channel” station, meaning it can be received from hundreds of miles away. A move to an FM station could reduce the signal’s range, depending on the power and elevation of the transmitter.

[King Hawk]

Signal strength probably won’t matter much as Rush is available on so many other stations in that area.

But watch the ratings of the AM!

[Rufus2007]

But I don’t think the range matters because it’s only long-range at night and Limbaugh has affiliates every where it reaches anyway

[Buckeye McFrog]

Since KDKA lost Rush a few years ago they may as well change their call letters. To WOGE.

W aste
O f
G ood
E lectricity

[raccoonradio]

Distant AM reception on "clear channel" (not to be confused with the company Clear Channel) is mostly at night. During the day a good 50,000 watt station can indeed do very well, but can only go so far.

Solid FM stations--like the new 96,000 watt (not kidding) outlet Rush has in Fargo--can reach very far. Especially if they have a high tower.

AM signals sometimes have to change direction at night due to other stations on the same freq. This is why Boston's WRKO and WEEI (AM) push north and south after dark. In case of the latter, WEEI is now simulcasting on a fairly powerful FM outlet that has no such directional restrictions.

Signal range of 106.9 which may pick up Rush:

AM signals are also subject to interference from high tension wires; weak reception on workplaces etc

[AceMineral]

Never understood Rush’s embrace of AM.

[GreyFriar]

Rush explained ‘preference for AM’ years ago. The AM dial was losing listeners because music was moving to FM. And with the emptiness of programing, and that talk radio until then, had been mainly a “over night” thing, there was a market available during the day time. Thus he found a place to develop the successful show we know today.

[GeronL]

Cumulus owned stations have decided to pick up the cheaper Huckabee show and drop Limbaugh, has nothing to do with the protests.