Posted on 05/04/2005 7:57:12 AM PDT by ScoopandDizzy
Is conservative talk radio in trouble? Have listeners become bored with their once-favorite personalities?
Be careful what you believe: While there are some dark clouds on the horizon, the conservative format is still strong, despite limited audience erosion.
Here's where the contention began: Last week, Arbitron radio ratings revealed that outside of a few cities, the much-touted liberal talk stations are not finding much of an audience.
(Excerpt) Read more at worldnetdaily.com ...
Simple answer: We're in power now and people don't feel that they have to turn to sources other than the government to find people who agree with their politics.
You bet it is. However, Rush will be there long after all the others are gone.
I'm a long-time fan of conservative talk-radio - especially Rush, and I don't believe talk-radio is losing its luster, but I do have some concerns. I want to be very careful here and not point fingers, but with some hosts it's becoming more about them and not the issues. Many hosts start out and are very interesting at first, but as they acquire more fame articles are written in media about them and before you know it half of their program is filled with their defense of themselves. It just gets a little ...tiresome. The exception is Rush. His schtick has always been personality based and it's very entertaining. He tries to boast sometimes, but he doesn't come across as prideful. When he talks about himself it's very endearing. Others protest that they are humble, yet they do it unceasingly. Nuff said.
Rush in the morning for National views with Tom Sullivan balancing out the afternoon local perspective (and some national overlap). Between the two, my personal radio 'fix', time permitting, is satisfied.
This featured article, while positive, points out that, as always, if the 'other side' is in the tank, efforts will be made to paint 'our side' as sliding into an abyss.
Rush, Hanity, O'Reilly, Hedgecock have gotten very stale. Than again, they really just tow the party line on immmigration. Illegal immigration is the hot-button issue of the day and they refuse to give it the attention the listeners want.
I think the problem is that people in general are burnt out from politics after 2004 and really just want to take a break for a little while. When the 2006 elections heat up the ratings will climb again.
Yeah, the news cycle has been a bit slow too. There's only so much one can say about filibusters and Schaivo.
I agree.
Michael Medved and Keyes are about the only two conservative THINKERS in syndication. The rest are just pretty damn base, with some (yes even some big names) needing to improve vastly to even get to base level.
I'm flipping back and forth between shows until this Runaway Bride BS drops off the radar.
What a waste of broadcast time. If I want to listen to ET or People, I'll tune those things in.
It's funny. I watch ratings although I can't see dayparts, only total numbers. In Ohio Cincinnati's WKRC is way down, but Columbus, Cleveland and Toledo are way up. In NYC, WABC was way down, in LA KFI was very modestly up. In Sacramento, KFBK was down 11% from November, but still #1 and off 10.5% in Rochester, 17% in Oklahoma City, 7% in Albany. But talk was up in Toledo by 7.5%, 30% Syracuse, 16% charlotte.
But .. next year when the election cycle begins to ramp up - conservative radio will get back it's listeners.
But .. a lot of people were burned out after 2004 - and I would think that would naturally stop people from listening for awhile. Just a thought.
Rush and Hannity base their shows' topics on the headline news from that particular day. When the Minutemen were big in the news, those two covered the Minutemen. Now that they're off, they're focusing on filibusters and soforth.
Would it be great if they covered immigration more? Sure. But at the same time, they're simply being consistent, and I can't knock them for that. And don't forget, Hannity actually went down to the MMP patrolling area.
I can't speak for O'Reilly or Hedgecock as I don't listen/watch them.
I think politics turn out listeners. I believe the mixed trend in the winter books reflects regional acceptance and discomfort with the Schiavo matter and the fact that the election is over. However, I do seem to remember that the fall 2000 ratings and the winter 2001 ratings were similar.
So technically .. though it pains you .. you sorta, maybe, kinda agree with me ..??
No pain at all. When I agree with you I am joyful. When I disagree, I note it on line and pass on what I know or believe. I have no negative emotions on that either. It's not about being pained. :>)
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