40year radio veteran and pod caster Peter B Collins outlines the slow demise of progressive radio and what went wrong along the way in spite of big political wins by the Democratic party. Read the story here
Some snippets from the article :
As someone who took substantial personal risk in syndication and station ownership, I can tell you that progressive talk has not panned out as a viable business. Clinton's 1996 deregulation of broadcasting and the end of the Fairness Doctrine in 1987 didn't help. I do think the FCC should require some balance of viewpoints on the stations it regulates, through the license renewal process, but there is simply no interest on the part of Obama and his appointees in regulatory reform - even as the president is pilloried by right-wing radio on a daily basis. Air America's parade of management blunders produced the downward spiral that brought us to this tipping point for progressive talk radio, and most station owners, rightly or wrongly, see that failure as an indication that audiences won't support liberal talk radio.
I just think that talk radio works better with a Minority party. If the next president is Paul Ryan and Rodney Tom is our next governor, progressive talk could stage a comeback.
Posted by: Mike Barer | February 11, 2013 at 07:38 AM
Hey, Mike Barer, is Burl Barer your brother? I LOVED that guy. What a talent. Too smart to be a rock jock, though.
By the way, I think right wing radio did just fine when George W. Bush was in office.
Also, Chris Chronic (would have been a great name for a 1960s KOL rock jock) I appreciate these links to more in-depth coverage like the Peter B. Collins op-ed. Part of his problem on radio is that he wasn't a shouter--more of a calm reasoned sounding guy.
You also had an interview with a radio executive a while back I liked for its in depth and insider info.
Keep it up.
Posted by: Erictheeditor | February 12, 2013 at 01:32 PM
Interesting article, but it forgot to mention one other Progressive Talk station still on the west coast. KBAI, here in Bellingham, WA. I listen to the local host Joe Tiehan, but must admit I haven't listened to either liberal or conservative talk radio from national networks. I do listen to NPR and a lot of podcasts.
Posted by: Robert | February 12, 2013 at 06:19 PM
Erictheeditor, Burl is my Cousin. We're both from walla Walla. Hey,I think Conservative radio does well in Seattle because it is such a Liberal city. People want to sound off and they can tell John Carlson or Dori Monson what they can't tell their neighbor.
Posted by: Mike Barer | February 15, 2013 at 11:45 PM
Good try, Mike. I think they just like to hear themselves rant. And I agree that Burl was the best.
Posted by: TS | February 16, 2013 at 12:48 AM
I just saw the Seattle radio ratings. 1090 when it was a Progressive Talk station in November--.09 Not good.
Since it went all-sports--.01--NOSE DIVE!
Posted by: Erictheeditor | February 19, 2013 at 07:30 PM
It is, time for a follow-up
Posted by: Chris Chronic | February 19, 2013 at 07:47 PM
Ratings may not matter as much as earnings. In Boston the onetime progtalker, later cons talker WXKS 1200 had comedy for awhile but now is running Bloomberg financial news. Their ratings may not show up as well but they could make $$$. Targeted demo; while stations appealing to avg agew 55+ men usually don't make money, the financial talk Bloomberg is now brokering from CC could do well. That could be the case for CBS with sports (and again right side of this page still lists 1090 as prog talk not sports.) Sports fan demo very coveted now.
Posted by: Bob Nelson | March 08, 2013 at 08:29 AM