allen prell crucifies christian radio

Former KIRO talk-host Allan Prell is putting the finishing flourishes and furbelows on his tell-all book, Pulling the Plug on Talk Radio, and already he's pulled the plug on some BlatherWatch reporting.

And hey, in this case, we're glad he's got it right!

We recently wrote a heavy-breathing post about Salem Communications, the right-wing radio group that Mother Jones Magazine described as the fastest-growing Christian radio chain in America; the company itself claims to be

"...the largest U.S. radio broadcasting company, measured by number of stations and audience coverage, providing programming targeted at audiences interested in religious and family theme radio programming.
We own and operate 92 radio stations, including 58 stations in 22 of the top 25 markets. This makes us the sixth largest operator measured by number of stations overall and the third largest operator measured by number of stations in the top 25 markets."

The company is pumping up the wattage in the next few months on their local property, KKOL, (1300 kHz). Locally, they carry such right-wing dingers as Mike Gallagher, Hugh Hewitt, and Dennis Prager; and in their national stable they boast such heavy hitters as Michael Medved, Randall Terry, James Dobson, Bill Bennett, Janet Parshall and Laura Ingraham. (Has anybody heard of any of these people besides the localite Medved, "Hold 'em or fold 'em" Bennett or the scaly Christian gobstopper Dobson? Or a better question might be: have you listened to any of these people?)

With KIRO and KTTH in the pooper, we were concerned that KKOL could, with a strong signal and good programming, become a player around here.   

Mother Jones chronicled Salem's origins in the California extreme right-wing, their partisan mission and their low-flying national political influence as they buy up small stations in large markets.

We were afraid of the faith-based reactionary colossus with an evangelical master plan taking over our non-sectarian paradise.

But Prell blows this up real good. He made a market-by-market study and found that Salem's just a flim-flam paper Messiah shaking down old ladies.

He writes: Salem may be the second fastest growing radio broadcaster, third largest as to number of stations in large markets- but with this caveat: their audience is miniscule. I take that back--negligible.

They have a bunch of stations, yes but, praise the Lord- nobody's listening!

The percentage of the audience listening to the Salem Radio Network talk shows in the top twenty-one markets is O.36%. Yep, less than one half of one percent.

Salem talk hosts are constantly being presented on television and radio, especially Fox News, as among the country’s leading conservative commentators. This may be the radio joke of the century, these inconsequentially listened-to talk hosts represent nothing except their own misguided interpretation of the world and that of their religious zealot employers.

But Salem is making money. That's because, Prell says, religion sells. And, he says, "Right wing religion sells real good." He's doubtful that Salem's aforementioned talk-hosts turn a profit. The audience, he says is so small "an ad agency or large advertiser wouldn’t be around long if they devoted a major part of their ad budget to this group."

So what does pay the bills?

It's the brokered time sold to the evangelists, missionaries, the preachers and the faith-based charlatans, appealing to what Prell calls the "Payers for Prayers" crowd.

They don’t need a huge audience, just a bunch of nice little old ladies who trust in the radio station to bring them the true word of Gawd. Each program is dedicated to the proposition they are about the go off the air if Granny doesn’t send in a large percentage of her monthly Social Security check. As well as the “free will offerings” for the books, video tapes, the cd’s, and dvd’s that keep “Christian Radio” alive and kickin’.

Prell believes, as we do, that the airwaves are supposed to be used in the public interest. "Isn’t it time to ask,“What [public] purpose is being served by a private corporation operating under the guise of “religion” to make obscene profits and serving such a tiny minority of the citizenry?”

We're looking forward to Prell's cranky, funny, take-no-prisoners book- corporate radio types, by the way, should not be.

Comments

[SeaBix]

Prell’s current ratings are considerably lower than Salem’s of course, so this newly discovered wisdom arrives with an asterisk.

[Brian ,Lacey wa]

So its hands down ! Turi Ryder is KIRO news talk, NEW HOTTIE she had a super show last night . Iam so glad we ,didn to have to suffer thru a Bryan stible
and as always Scary!! Gary behind the glass, doing a super job as always.

[moveit]

Turi is the hottest thing on KIRO. She knows what she is talking about or she doesn't talk about it. Take a hint, Stibel! And she's got a real (sexy) radio voice. Wish she was on the 9 to 1, can't stay awake for Lou's show ususally.

[Andrew]

bring back prell

[Jim Larson]

"With KIRO and KTTH in the pooper, we were concerned that KKOL could, with a strong signal and good programming, become a player around here. "

Why should that be a problem for you? The "Left", or "Progressives" have KPTK, albeit not a source for local talk, and KIRO, which has swung more toward the left in recent years. That these stations aren't doing well under their current leadership is more reason to encourage change there, not discourage the other side from developing their outlets as they see fit. There are plenty of liberal watts out there. You just need some changes behind the mics.

The Right also has problems with their talkers. There isn't much to brag about on KTTH, leaving the offerings on KVI and the staged daily spat between Carlson and Schram. KKOL isn't likely to tip the scales much, blowtorch transmitter or not.

[sparky]

I will never understand why anyone thinks that KIRO ever moved "left."
Mike Webb was the only true liberal--the others flap or past-tense flapped whichever way the populist winds blow. Then Mike went nuts-o and was canned...so now you have what?

[umo]

Expert opinion from Prell on the radio business is like dieting tips from New York Vinnie.

[chucks]

I am just an old grampa that likes to liston to talk radio.
I tune in KIRO, KVI and KPTK. Did not know about KKOL untill reading this post.
Now I will give them a try as well. No doubt they will be as full of crap as the rest of them. But it just gives another side of the "story". Liston enough to opposing views and it is easier to find some truth.
Thanks for the forum.
Chuck

[audioslave]

I've listened to Gallagher and Prager before as fill-in's on other shows. They are both polished radio voices with substance, albeit from a conservative viewpoint. Laura Ingraham is very good too, plus she's a babe.

Watch out, Salem is going to try and brainwash us all into right wing bible thumping zealots......be afraid, be afraid.

[Dana]

I've read the first few chapters of Allan's book. His gift is as a talker, not a writer. He needs a brutal editor.

[Dana]

I think Lou Pate is gone. I woke up early and was listening to Turi Ryder about 4:15 and heard her say that she's filling in for the foreseeable future, and added a remark to the effect of, who knows what KIRO will do with this time slot?

My best guess is that the very heterosexual Seattle and woman hater Lou Pate is gone.

[audioslave]

Maybe it's time to venture down the dial, a bit, from 1090,(or take a short hop up to 1300) and try and stomach some of the blowhards on 570 and 770, at least until KIRO 710 comes up with their new lineup of hosts. It might be enilghtening for some, if you have an open mind.

[Brianne]

I really enjoyed Allan Prell on KIRO AMs, as he was entertaining.
Also enjoyed Erin Hart weekend nights. Have e-mailed management at KIRO but of course received no response. Wish they'd have a listener poll online asking for votes for their fav hosts, as I've no idea how they come up with ratings otherwise. Really dislike Styble (Stible?)and won't miss the nasty Lou Pate. Ron and Don are barely palatable.