We here at Blatherwatch take delight in the schadenfreude that is talk radio. Especially those in the top tier whose actions create the kind of stories in the industry we live for. We try not to dwell on one person's tumble for more than a story or two, but we have to admit that the mighty ego of Savage is too much to ignore and his replacement may signal the end of overpaid hosts and their lack of respect for radio, especially their advertisers.
TRN(Talk Radio Network) announced that the 3-6pm PT slot (570 KVI) formally held by talker and now adventurer Micheal Weiner' "Savage Nation" has now been filled by Jerry Doyle.
TRN states thru Talkers Magazine : “For too long, we’ve had to choose between ratings and saleability, but no longer…Jet pilot, Wall Street investment banker for 10 years, Hollywood star for 12 years, former congressional nominee and now radio giant who has earned his right to this spot for close to nine years, Jerry Doyle is the future of talk radio. He will bring massive audiences through word of mouth because he is brilliant and funny, showing both emotional and intellectual range that is beyond rare.”
As it announces Doyle’s move into the West Coast afternoon drive slot, TRN promises, “He understands the advertising business like few others"...
Doyle will use Bill Wattenburg, cabin hunter and designer of all things Nuke-Cleear to fill in on Doyle's time slot until a replacement is hired.
TRN is making use of the loss of Savage Nation by saying: "Jerry will work with his stations reading their ads and promos, because he understands radio isn’t about host ego, it’s about high levels of performance, and it’s about business.” Savage left the network and 375+ stations in the lurch last week after he won arbitration to end his contract.
Meanwhile, Savage is camping out in the wilderness of streaming online feeds courtesy of UStream in which the two differ on the number of listeners and Savage's attorney threatens industry site Radio Ink over actual numbers reported after Sunday's Internet stream.
When numbers matter, UStream claimed 45,560 had streamed online to listen to the 1 hour show. Savage and his attorney, David Horowitz say 48k. Radio Ink was then threatened with legal action over the 3,000 difference in listeners as reported.
We don't know much about Jerry Doyle but we have to guess TRN and stations in general will be glad to have a less expensive, overblown ego in talk radio who will actually promote advertisers product. Sez Savage, "I've been on the radio 18 years and that
may or may not continue. I'm out there in the wilderness right now,
where I want to be."
I still am holding on to hope for a live, local host in another day time slot. But hope has been proven a lie by a major left leaning politician.
Posted by: The Better Chuck. | October 02, 2012 at 06:03 PM
Neevver heard of the guy.
Posted by: Todd | October 02, 2012 at 07:56 PM
I have heard Doyle. He likes to stir it up and is not a checked-pants Republican or a neo-con but instead a conservative who doesn't hesitate to ridicule Republicans as the stupid party when they have it coming and is irreverent. I have heard him several times before being interviewed by Savage. Not bad.
With that said, Bryan Suits would have been a bit better.
Posted by: KS blathers | October 03, 2012 at 05:53 PM
Looks like Weiner is a has been. (smile)
Sneaky, it got taken over by direct tv. Darn.
We need a thread on the debate.
Posted by: T-S | October 03, 2012 at 07:58 PM
The breath of posts to this thread should inform the Savage Weiner, he’s in decline.
Posted by: Finis Hominis | October 03, 2012 at 08:26 PM
OH MY GOD! You found an image of the old KID-AM 590 transmitter shack in Idaho, where I grew up. Crazy.
The station is now in some tacky industrial aluminum sided building a few miles away, along with the rest of the small cluster.
They still bellow out Rush-Bo and the rest, though.
Posted by: Idaho Spud | October 03, 2012 at 10:10 PM
Sounds like Laura Ingraham reruns the last 3 nights on KVI- no Jerry Doyle.
Posted by: KS blathers | October 04, 2012 at 11:13 PM