Posted on 07/29/2013 3:51:53 AM PDT by raccoonradio
In a major shakeup for the radio industry, Cumulus Media, the second-biggest broadcaster in the country, is planning to drop both Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity from its stations at the end of the year, an industry source told POLITICO on Sunday.
Cumulus has decided that it will not renew its contracts with either host, the source said, a move that would remove the two most highly rated conservative talk personalities from more than 40 Cumulus channels in major markets.
The decision comes after negotiations between Cumulus and Premiere Networks, the division of Clear Channel that distributes Limbaugh and Hannity's shows, broke down due to disagreements over the cost of the distribution rights, the source said. Cumulus is known to drive a hard bargain on costs, and Clear Channel is known to seek top dollar for big names.
As industry insiders caution, Cumulus and Clear Channel have come to the brink before during contract negotiations only to resume talks. But the source told POLITICO that Clear Channel was unlikely to reduce the cost for distribution rights to a level that would satisfy Cumulus.
Cumulus declined to comment for this story: "Cumulus is not in a position to comment about negotiations with talent under contract, no matter what the rumor of the day might be," a spokesperson told POLITICO.
But in recent weeks, Cumulus has been quietly reaching out to radio talent agents and political insiders about new local and regional station hosts to fill some of the airtime that will be left vacant by Limbaugh and Hannity, industry sources said. Cumulus is also expected to move some of its existing talent -- which includes Mike Huckabee, Mark Levin, and Michael Savage -- into one of the slots.
Premiere, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday night, is expected to carry Limbaugh and Hannity on stations in many of the markets where they are currently signed with Cumulus, should the negotiations not go through. A spokesperson for Limbaugh was not immediately available for comment; Hannity did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Back in May, a source close to Limbaugh told POLITICO that the host was considering ending his affiliation agreement with Cumulus because CEO Lew Dickey was blaming the company's advertising losses on Limbaugh's controversial remarks about Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown law student. On an earnings call two days later, Dickey reported a $2.4 million first-quarter decline in revenue related to talk programming, which he attributed, indirectly, to Limbaugh's remarks about Fluke.
Dickey is expected to hold another earnings call this week, though it is unclear if he will address the contract negotiations.
Rush is still on in the Twin Cities but just barely. Clear Channel moved him off his 50,000 watter on to a squeaker station that can be heard clearly in about 20% of the area.
I get Beck on Sirius Patriot. In addition to being put off by the doom and gloom, his periodic weeping on the air always sends me to another station. He's an adult, and crying is for babies.
Another intellectually inspiring talk show host is John Batchelor. I used to listen to him on Sunday nights while driving, but for some reason KFI replaced him with someone who does silly banter.
I also like Andrew Wilkow, whom I pick up on Sirius Patriot.
Rush could probably buy the current parent company.
If those companies do indeed drop the Rush and Hannity programs, I expect their listeners will dial away from their stations, seeking out Rush and Hannity somewhere else on the radio dial. Perhaps Sirius will pick them up.
I think some operational planning for Rush Pirates is in order...
If it’s about advertising money as they claim, wait until these idiots try and charge the same rates for placing ads with shows for far smaller audiences. Advertisers will leave in droves.
Hopefully, Chris Plante of WMAL can fill some of these slots. He is one of the best and should definitely have a syndicated show.
Cumulus, soon to drop from second, to third, or worse. When ideology trumps fiduciary responsibility.
We must share the same builder...
This makes no economic sense. Why would you want to cancel two talk shows with the largest audience in radio? Do they seriously think they will get sponsors to pay high prices for advertising on shows with half the audience of Rush and Hannity? I may not be wearing a tinfoil hat, but I could see this as some plot funded by the likes of George Soros to get Rush and Hannity off the air.
I know nothing of golf except for Caddyshack. Rush has a tendency to use his bully pulpit for things he likes. Golf and NFL are on the top of the list....
on those days I turn him off if he spends more than 1 segment on them.
Your right, he is nothing but talking points...and not interesting to listen to.
Also maddening is the introductory now he inserts at the beginning of almost every sentence when he reads an ad. I used to think he had an idiot for a copywriter. I came to understand that the idiot is the copyreader. It's like listening to someone with Tourette's. (No offense to Tourette's sufferers, but I wouldn't consider broadcasting your best career choice.)
And then there are the names he cant pronounce: Bernake instead of Bernanke, Matlin for Matalin, and others.
And amen to the one who said that he makes everything about him. If I have to here little ol me one more time, Im going to punch something!!
I hope when Megyn comes to prime time, shell be replacing Sean. Or better yet, take Billo and Sean down to ½ hour each and give Megyn and Greta each their own hour.
Cumulus is racing toward a fast Chapter 11! JMHO
Sorry. Meant to address my last post (#75) to you, too. See above.
They will die on the vine.
LLS
One of the things that I don’t like about Sean is the fact that there’s not a whole lot of substance to his program. He takes a little bit of material and whips it all up into a veritable froth, enough to fill three hours. He’d be better off in a one-hour slot.
ToIYAS9YAS: chuckle, chuckle:)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.