Remember all the big talk about liberal talk radio competing with conservative talk radio? As you can see, it was all just…talk. Air America was never able to get off the ground. Dealing with financial and personality problems, the ailing show will never be able to match or even come close to the success of conservative talk radio.
Brian C. Anderson, author of South Park Conservatives, seems to be everywhere since the release of his book (good PR). In an article for the Los Angeles Times (reg. req.), Why the Liberals Can’t Keep Air America From Spiraling In, he speculates about why conservative radio has succeeded where liberal talk radio has failed. He cites entertainment value, fragmented audience, and liberal bias in old media, which is why conservatives turned to radio in the first place.
The fragmented audience factor is one I’ve thought about myself. Anderson writes:
Fragmentation of the potential audience. Political consultant Dick Morris explains: “Large percentages of liberals are black and Hispanic, and they now have their own specialized entertainment radio outlets, which they aren’t likely to leave for liberal talk radio.” The potential audience for Air America or similar ventures is thus pretty small — white liberals, basically. And they’ve already got NPR.
Last year I wrote a draft post about the differences between white and black liberals, and I speculated that their inter-party differences are significant. Conservative groups tend to be more homogenous than liberal groups, which I think is a key reason conservative talk radio is a success.
Conservative radio is message-driven rather than personality-driven. Back when Rush Limbaugh got started, people were hungry for something — anything — other than bland National Public Radio. What Limbaugh was saying is what people bought, and his ratings soared.
Air America, in contrast, seems to be personality-driven, by lackluster personalites, at that. Who cares about Al Franken? Franken’s message is what people should be tuning in to hear, but obviously too few are doing that. I can’t imagine the average black person listening day after day to a bunch of whiny white liberals cracking bad jokes about white conservatives, especially with someone like Tom Joyner in the marketplace.
When I first heard about Air America, it struck me as strange that a group of people — investors and Hollywood personalities — thought all they needed to do was put the product out there, generate heavy promotion in mainstream media, promising to be the answer to conservative radio. I’m no economist, but I thought there had to be a market for a product. Anybody could’ve seen what was coming.
Black and Hispanic liberals apparently don’t want to hear the likes of Janeane Garofalo spewing anti-white conservative sentiment all day long. I’m glad liberal talk radio has crashed and burned. Air America may preach diversity, but it’s playing to homogeneity. If they want to succeed, they need to figure out what they want to sell and market to the people who want to buy it.
And stop trying to out-do conservatives.
Update: Sam Donaldson is a little slow on the uptake. He just discovered what we already know.
Update II: Comments with vulgar references go straight into the moderation queue. If your comment hasn’t appeared, you may want to rephrase and resubmit.
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I seem to remember that when Air America started they knocked a Black radio station off the air in one market. I still think Dennis Prager nailed it when he said that liberal talk radio would fail because the liberal answer to all opposition is to call it racist or sexist or heterosexist.
As well, your point regarding market is well said. For all the chatter about being in the majority, the liberals are in the minority, a very small minority, at that. The self-described “elites” just do not have the numbers to support a media outlet that depends on popular appeal for market share.
Of course that is also the reason that they are so focused on controlling the judiciary. They will never get thir agenda into law via the legislature. Only through a liberal judiciary will the liberal agenda become law.
The utter failure of Air America’s leftist founders to comprehend even the basics of a market economy is troubling, given the fact that the leftist dolts want to control the nation’s economy using that same ignorance.
La Shawn:
What’s so surprising about the failure of Air America?
The White liberals that control it don’t believe that market forces should be allowed to operate.
So why should they pay attention to market forces?
Ditto that Black liberals LOVE to hear other Black liberals attack White conservatives, but they just don’t believe “Rich White Men”at Air America represent their victimhood.
” As you can see, it was all just…talk. Air America was never able to get off the ground.”
Don’t they get higher ratings than rush in some markets?
Did you really expect them to in a few months become what it took winger radio years and years to do?
Boy I love it when white folks purport to speak for black folks..Frank, change colors and then come and talk to me.
Anyhoo…….Very interesting LaShawn. I’d love to see that draft post to see your points on the differences between black and white liberals.
I also agree with Anderson’s point about black/Hispanic radio listeners having specific entertainment/news outlets. I’d much rather listen to Tom Joyner, get entertained, get the news and find out how I can support causes that are relevant to me (something that Joyner is heavily into) as a black woman.
Also interesting is that nutty legislator, Maurice Henchley from NY wants to bring back the Fairness Doctrine. If you can’t beat em with a market plan, legislate them.
More on the honorable moonbat who subscribes heavily to the Rovian Conspiracy at
http://carpebonum.net/archives/2005/02/who_is_maurice_1.php
Don’t they get higher ratings than rush in some markets?
Not last I checked. Even in very very blue markets, Rush usually gets at least twice the ratings of Air America.
“. If you can’t beat em with a market plan, legislate them.”
part of the problem is that people don’t pay market rates for AM/FM spectrum
Jeff, Maybe they get higher ratings than Rush when he is replayed at 2 A.M. somewhere but only if you compare Rush’s 2 A.M. replay in a small market with their prime time rating in their best market.
Heck, as a liberal, even I haven’t offered Air America much of my time. The only broadcaster with a shred of broadcasting talent on that network is Randi Rhodes.
Though I think Franken is hilarious (his tv show Lateline is one of my favorite sitcoms), he is not suited for radio. I tried listening to his show once in the car and almost got into an accident because it nearly put me to sleep!
Ann Coulter nailed this topic brilliantly (and hilariously) a couple of years ago when she wrote: “To be sure, conservative radio talk show hosts have a built-in audience unavailable to liberals: People driving cars to some sort of job. So liberals keep serving up their own dreary radio hosts, and the public keeps turning the dial back to Rush Limbaugh.” (Read the whole column at http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/coulter022003.asp)
“Jeff, Maybe they get higher ratings than Rush when he is replayed at 2 A.M. somewhere but only if you compare Rush’s 2 A.M. replay in a small market with their prime time rating in their best market.”
I’ve heard the stat in reference to New York city.
I am not sure if he would accept the label liberal, but I miss Tavis Smiley on radio (NPR). I love his PBS show, but for me, he is the voice of what I want to hear on radio. He is a dem (I think) but his show has a broader appeal.
stephanie miller is hillarious, give her some time to catch on…
tom joyner is always hating on republicans, especially black republicans. All his sidekicks were constantly bashing Bush, and Lt. Gov Steel. I was even surprised when they began to clown Tom DeLay recently.
“part of the problem is that people don’t pay market rates for AM/FM spectrum”
And of course the gubmint will fix it right. And what is the proper market rate?
“And of course the gubmint will fix it right. And what is the proper market rate?”
What the market decides, rather than the current system where licenses were just handed out.
Leftist iberals just can’t win:
Not in politics, sKerry/Deaniacs
Not in Radio, Air America
And it would seem in religion, to wit Ratzinger.
hmmm shoulda been “liberals, or should that have been illiberals?
Oh yeah, what a “crime” to just give away licenses. So where were the leftist corporations when the gubmint was giving them away?
“Oh yeah, what a “crime†to just give away licenses. So where were the leftist corporations when the gubmint was giving them away? ”
I have no idea. I do know that its not much of a market.
Air America is a failure? Hmmm. Interesting.
My whole office listens to it now that I’ve turned them on to it. I know tons of people who want an alternative from the screaming conservatives.
Just like conservatives say the media is left-leaning…they call Air America a failure…say it long enough and your side believes it…
Pacifica Radio has been called liberal and it seems to do well, or so I’m told.
Liberal radio does have to out-do conservative radio in order for it to get a chance at being marketed across the country. That’s how the marketplace works.
All his sidekicks were constantly bashing Bush, and Lt. Gov Steel.
They never clowned or bashed Lt. Gov. Michael Steele. Get it right.
They interviewed him during the GOP political convention. Sybil made a comment concerning job numbers and Steele disagreed and told them to stop using rhetoric because they do a good job overall.
Sybil disagreed with the use of the word rhetoric. They didn’t call the man names. They respected him but disagreed strongly with the jobs numbers he used.
The next day, they produced job and unemployment numbers that supported Sybil’s claim and went against Steele’s claim.
Worse disagreement has happened on Meet the Press or Crossfire.
The biggest failure imho is Air America feels it’s the Answer to conservative radio, it’s reactionary and it brings no new thought or ideas for people to listen to. It’s all about b*tching about conservatives. conservative radio on the other hand brings views and points that their listeners may have not heard before.
For Candace and Dark Star:
Your wish has come true – Pacifica Radio has been around since the 1940’s – with unlimited support from Leftists.
Here is their mission statement:
The Spirit of Pacifica
Pacifica Foundation created the world’s first listener-sponsored radio as a group of conscientious objectors sought a medium in which to speak out against the military force of World War II. The organization’s mission is to (the entire mission statement can be found here):
Promote cultural diversity and pluralistic community expression;
Contribute to a lasting understanding between individuals of all nations, races, creeds and colors;
Promote freedom of the press and serve as a forum for various viewpoints; and
Maintain an independent funding base.
Each of the five Pacifica stations offers radio programs and news that serve the concerns and needs of their local communities, while furthering Pacifica’s mission. You can listen to, and learn more about each individual station by linking to their Web sites below.
If you think Al Franken is too conservative, Pacifica is for you.
LaShawn is correct, market forces are responsible for the rise of conservative talk radio and the failure of liberal talk radio. Air America is the audio equivalant of CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, and MSNBC. Their ratings are tanking as well.
Looks like my comment from this morning didn’t go through, so I’ll try to resend.
What I said was, I as a liberal have never been able to get into Air America. The only host on the whole network with an OUNCE of radio personality is Randi Rhodes. She’s the only one I could listen to for four hours straight and not throw my radio out the window.
Don’
Oops, La Shawn…I pressed enter too soon..
If you’d like you can link my posts:
Here is the rest:
Don’t get me wrong, I think Al Frank is hilarious in his right place (particularly his short-lived 1998 sitcom Lateline), but I can’t get through an episode of his AA show.
I’ll try this post again.
LaShawn, as someone who listens to Air America, I need to confront you on a few things.
1. When you say that Air America is just a bunch of white whiny Liberals whining about White Conservatives, that makes me doubt you have ever listened to Air America. Nor do you seem to know anything about it other than the fact that Al Franken hosts a show. One of Air America’s hosts, Mark Riley, is actually black. Not that it matters. Claiming it is just a bunch of whining about Conservatives is rather simplistic. If I wanted to make up a simplistic rant on Conservative talk radio, I could say it is a bunch of whiny White guys ranting about Liberals and I wouldn’t even have to have any knowledge of the format of any particular show.
2. I listen to Al Franken, though it is not because of his personality. I don’t think he is a radio pro, but he brings on very good guests from both the right and left, including experts on the hot topics of the day. Rush on the other hand does not have gusts. I rather listen to a discussion with topical experts than listen to Rush Limbaugh take a stab in the dark with his uneducated opinion. That is why I personally enjoy Air America, though I have no idea who else listens.
I listened to Conservative talk radio before, and am happy to have the choice of listening to Air America now. To rant about it without any real knowledge on the subject is unnecessary. Would you rather listen to white whiners like Bob Grant and Michael Savage pick on minorities and immigrants?
What’s this Failure of Liberal Talk Radio? Here’s from Time:
Clear Channel, a major funder of Bush and the Republicans, isn’t a liberal philanthropy. It’s picking up “progressive radio” because this is the fastest growing format in the country; and that is because Air America has proved it attracts listeners and advertisers. From an original audience of 120,000, the network more than tripled to 400,000 within three months, and now, according to the latest Arbitron ratings, reaches 2.137 million listeners a week, with 129,900 tuning in for the average quarter hour. Now and again, at least in New York City, Franken’s midday show has out-pulled his right-wing nemesis Bill O’Reilly’s; Randi Rhodes has lured more listeners than Hannity; Garofalo and Seder topped the rabid Michael Savage.
When the arbitron ratings and advertising sales dollars say otherwise, we’ll stop calling it for what it is: a failure.
It may be a success in somebody’s office, but that does not make it a success as a whole entity. The proof is clearly in the pudding.
“When the arbitron ratings and advertising sales dollars say otherwise, we’ll stop calling it for what it is: a failure.”
whats your standard of success? parity with winger radio?
Simple success in any business means being able to pay the bills and have a few points left over to pay the stockholders a return on their investment.
Great success means making large amounts of money for the stockholders.
So can liberal talk radio be successful? Sure, according to the first model. Doubtful, according to the second.
The biggest problem here is that the “brains” behind Air America are caught up in the elitist NPR entitlement mentality. They don’t seem to grasp the concept that a successful business needs to have a product in demand by a dynamic and growing customer base.
“They don’t seem to grasp the concept that a successful business needs to have a product in demand by a dynamic and growing customer base.”
Whats not growing about their base? they’re adding stations no? They just started a DC one I think.
I don’t think we need Air America ( although some people may get into it)and have never tuned in. We have nbc,cbs, npr, etc. I never understood why they felt a need to develop this outlet?? I do miss Tavis though, I was an intern at npr when he signed on.I was very sorry that it didn’t work out longer. I am looking forward to hearing Ed Gordon (wish I could see him too!)
It’s great we can all listen and enjoy who we want to!
More proof that leftists (socialist) liberals don’t understand the “Air” business and should have paid more attention in Biz101 and less time talking — the new Airbust 380 SuperDumbo.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-1572218,00.html
Granted the study was sponsored by Boeing, but when you factor in the following fact: selling them for $130 – $145 million apiece when it costs $199 mil to build each one is simply not sustainable.
Sell 500 of them and lose approx $8 bil. By comparison, as of last month, Boeing profitably delivered 1,356 B747s since 1969.
But then again, maybe France is operating under the new math paradigm in which the ROI is gained by paying workers with tax revenues, rather than productivity, never mind profit for shareholders. Come to think of it, France’s standard of success was a Mirage!
Times like these when I’m more impressed by the USSR aviation program.
Smoking!!!
“I don’t think we need Air America ( although some people may get into it)and have never tuned in. We have nbc,cbs, npr, etc. I never understood why they felt a need to develop this outlet?”
The brief amounts of it I listened to were very different than you get on those other stations.
No “marketplace” brought to you by major corporations, for example.
Another example of how socialist leftist liberals don’t get the “Air” business.
They should have paid more attention in Biz101 and less time talking about and imagining reality: Airbust A380 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-1572218,00.html
Granted the study was financed by Boeing, even so, ideology has no bearing on business economics. Simply put selling a product at $130 – $145 million a piece when it costs $199 million to build does nothing to add to the economy, nevermind the share holders. Must be that “New Math” thang where the ROI is measured against the employment rolls and the tax base is a self-sustaining money tree.
Maqrketplace? Build it and sell it below cost and they will come, heh.
And if France manages to sell 500 of these SuperDumbos over the next 20 years, her taxpayers will have thrown over $8 billion into the money pit. And that’s without taking the exchange rate into consideration. Compare that to Boeing’s profitable B747 of which 1,356 were delivered between Dec 1969 and March 2005.
This strategy works sometimes when one is talking about a commodity and capturing marketshare, by outlasting the competition (race to bankruptcy), but with build-to-order? I don’t think so.
It’s plain to see that the A380 will be a finacial failure and that France’s gold standard for success is a Mirage. Sheesh, times like these, I’m more impressed with the USSR aviation program.
Smoking!!!
DarkStar
Pacifica radio is always running fund raisers just last week wbai new york was raising money,yet they are always the first ones to complain about evil American capitalism.
With all the money from George Soros they should change Air America to Welf-Air America.
Ratso LOL
I like to think that Air America’s “failure” merely demonstrates that most moderates and liberals have much better things to do with their lives than to sit for hours, dwelling on, stewing over, and endlessly rehashing ideological issues. Sane people don’t feel compelled to constantly berate divergent points of view and demonize those who hold them. Well adjusted people can engage their neighbors in meaningful discourse without having to assume a smug moral superiority. Frankly, I think it speaks very well of moderates and liberals that they HAVEN’T flocked to Air America. It’s in everyone’s best interest when our fellows (right, left, or center) chose to avoid the cesspool.
Well, that’s one way to try to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
Well- I don’t listen to Air America because I don’t get it where I am. However I wouldn’t be so quick to write off liberal media. I listen to Amy Goodman religiously. Her show is broadcasted all over the country, and even on cable TV. How about Bill Maher? That’s as good a liberal talk show as any. Conservatives communicate through shared anger and hatred of liberals. Liberals communicate through shared ridicule of conservatives.
Another example of how socialist leftist liberals don’t get the “Air” business.
They should have paid more attention in Biz 101 and less time talking about and imagining reality: Airbust A-380
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/02095-157221800.html
Granted the study was financed by Boeing even so ideology has no bearing on business economics. Simply put selling a product at $130 – $145 million a piece when it costs $199 million to build does nothing to add to the economy never mind the share holders. Must be that “New Math” thang where the ROI is measured against the employment rolls and the tax base is a self-sustaining money tree.
Marketplace? Build it and sell it below cost and they will come heh.
And if France manages to sell 500 of these SuperDumbos over the next 20 years her taxpayers will have thrown over $8 billion into the money pit. And that’s without taking the exchange rate into consideration. Compare that to Boeing’s profitable B-747 of which 1,356 were delivered between Dec 1969 and March 2005.
This strategy works sometimes when one is talking about a commodity and capturing market share by outlasting the competition (race to bankruptcy) but with build-to-order? I don’t think so.
It’s plain to see that the A380 will be a financial failure and that France’s gold standard for success is a Mirage. Times like these I’m more impressed with the USSR aviation program.
Smoking!!!
actus-
success is defined as a market share, which decides what makes it or not on radio. i’m not saying it can’t be a success, but for now it is not.
owners/corporations that own radio stations demand market share and the advertising dollars they bring as the arbiter of success or failure. they establish the threshold in which they can continue to be profitable. thusfar, the statistics show that the stations that broadcast air america are not particularly profitable, and many do not carry air america for very long. hence the constant change over of personalities in major media markets. it is unbelievably cuthroat here in dallas/fort worth in the a.m. drive time slots. even the great tom joyner has been booted from the market on several occasions because he can’t pull an adequate share of the market here.
it’s all about profitability for the station, which stems from advertising dollars, and that is controlled by how many people listen.
until more people listen, air america is a radio failure.
Do you delete all the critical comments or just the ones that expose you as a preachy right wing nut job?
I posted something last night to the effect that the reason more people listen to Rush than Air America is that more idiots listen to the radio.
La Shawn did not like it and deleted it. I guess this is the cyber-equivalent of a Bush town hall meeting.
Why does Liberal TALK radio fail?
Because not many sane people want to hear:
1) Lectures about how non-compassionate we are as a nation when that is far from the truth … on their drive home from work.
2) Bashing of this country when we on a whole try to do good in this world but that big picture perspective seems to be lost on liberals
3) Lies and smears on people’s character and INTENTIONS on a daily basis
4) And… more lies…
Am I saying that Conservative Talk people don’t sometimes get facts wrong? No. I’m just saying that liberals tend to want to get the facts wrong, exclude the big picture perspective and other facts and will with an AGENDA tell you things differently than they really are consistently and repeatedly.
I blogged about Air America and their lack of African American on-air talent a few days ago. The so-called tolerant liberals/progressives won’t stop bombarding me with hate mail and ranting and raving on liberal blogs.
And it’s not just white liberals. Blacks have called me every name in the book for daring to suggest that Black people give support to Democrats and liberals/progressives and should have a representative voice on the station that holds itself out to be the voice of “progressives”. The older I get, the harder it is for me to stay affiliated with the Dems.
Ms. Barber, as usual, you’ve inspired me to keep writing. Time for a follow up.
http://blackcincinnati.blogspot.com/2005/04/whitening-of-air-america.html
Talkkk Radio
This is fascinating. Air America is a “failure?” In what way? The list of stations carrying Air America is up to 53..in the course of approximately ONE YEAR. There was certainly a market for it, and having the monochromatic right winged, RNC endorsed echo-chamber that was AM talk radio for years on the PEOPLE’s airwaves unchallenged is reason enough for Air America.
Nate writes:
>>> blogged about Air America and their lack of African American on-air talent a few days ago. The so-called tolerant liberals/progressives won’t stop bombarding me with hate mail and ranting and raving on liberal blogs.”
At one point, Air America had THREE on air African American hosts–Mark Riley, Chuck D (of Publlic Enemy), and Kyle Jason on the weekends. Riley, a radio veteran of the flagship WLIB 1190 and Kyle Jason still remain, which are two more African American hosts than most CONSERVATIVE AM talk radio stations can boast. All of this information is easily accessible on the Air America website, http://www.airamericaradio.com, so I’m surprised you would ask such a question.
Chris Roberts writes:
>>>When the arbitron ratings and advertising sales dollars say otherwise, we’ll stop calling it for what it is: a failure.
It may be a success in somebody’s office, but that does not make it a success as a whole entity. The proof is clearly in the pudding.”
What TYPE of success are you talking about? According to arbitron ratings, the most popular radio stations in New York, for instance, are all news (no talk at all) and Lite Music.
If you’re saying media is ONLY successful based upon the number of people who listen/watch/purchase, then the ADULT FILM INDUSTRY should be your example, which far outstrips the profits of conventional motion pictures each year.
–Cobra
To point out that there are a couple of black people at Air America is to miss my point. I’ve been to the web site, so I’m well aware that they have at least one black host. That doesn’t change anything in my post. – Admin
Cobra, I think the point is being bypassed here. When Air America was conceived, the promoters promised a powerhouse of talk radio, one that would be the left wing equal to conservative talk radio. Well, by that standard, Air America is most certainly a failure.
Other failures come to mind, such as the ex-actor and current failure Ed Asner, who used Rush Limbaugh’s drug problem to say something quite delusional and inexplicable. The statement was roughly, “We got Rush Limbaugh; now we’re going after Sean Hannity.” Ok, Ed. Whatever you say.
You see, here is the problem folks. Air America is a little over ONE YEAR OLD. Rush Limbaugh first took the airwaves in a talk format in 1987. Conservatives have had almost TWO DECADES to build their radio fan bases. I mean, let’s be realistic here.
LaShawn, as I pointed out, there were as many as THREE on air African American personalities, not to mention an out and proud lesbian in Rachel Maddow. I’m an avid listener of Air America, and I’m an African American. I enjoy listening to talk radio that doesn’t engage in idolatrous worship of Bush and simple-minded recitations of RNC talking points. I enjoy listening to talk radio that doesn’t serve as a propaganda megaphone for the Pentagon, and corporate money-changers. I enjoy listening to talk radio that doesn’t tell me I deserve to have my civil rights violated because I happen to be a minority living in America.
In short, THIS particular African American LOVES Air America Radio.
–Cobra
Well, Cobra, no one here is suggesting that you shouldn’t enjoy Air America, if that’s your cup of tea. If enough other folks feel the same way, it will succeed. That doesn’t look very likely at this point, given the dismal ratings numbers, but supply and demand is how businesses work.
Redbeard writes:
>>>Well, Cobra, no one here is suggesting that you shouldn’t enjoy Air America, if that’s your cup of tea.”
But that’s EXACTLY what these posters are suggesting. And here is the illustration:
>>>I can’t imagine the average black person listening day after day to a bunch of whiny white liberals cracking bad jokes about white conservatives, especially with someone like Tom Joyner in the marketplace.”
–LaShawn Barber
>>>Ditto that Black liberals LOVE to hear other Black liberals attack White conservatives, but they just don’t believe “Rich White Menâ€at Air America represent their victimhood”
–Frank Zavisca
I guess I failed the GOP designed “Afro-authenticity” test, huh?
Again, what were Rush Limbaugh’s ratings in 1988? How many stations was he syndicated on back then?
After JUST ONE YEAR, according to this week’s Time Magazine:
>>>Clear Channel, a major funder of Bush and the Republicans, isn’t a liberal philanthropy. It’s picking up “progressive radio” because this is the fastest growing format in the country; and that is because Air America has proved it attracts listeners and advertisers. From an original audience of 120,000, the network more than tripled to 400,000 within three months, and now, according to the latest Arbitron ratings, reaches 2.137 million listeners a week, with 129,900 tuning in for the average quarter hour. Now and again, at least in New York City, Franken’s midday show has out-pulled his right-wing nemesis Bill O’Reilly’s; Randi Rhodes has lured more listeners than Hannity; Garofalo and Seder topped the rabid Michael Savage…”
…And, as Carolina Miranda reported for an item I wrote in the Apr. 4 issue of TIME, AAR is enjoying monthly double-digit ballooning in ad sales revenue — a rate that Jon Sinton, AAR’s president, expects to continue for the next two years. Commercials for national brands like Geico and Volkswagen can now be heard along with spots for Verbal Advantage vocabulary builders (one of Limbaugh’s early sponsors), sexual potency pills and “clinical hypnotherapist” Wendi Friesen’s promises of happiness, weight loss and freedom from nicotine addiction if you’ll just let her talk in your sleep”
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1045633,00.html?promoid=rss_top
So if listenership has INCREASED, some right winged talk shows are being BEATEN head to head, and Ad revenue has significantly GROWN, again I ask the question, what makes Air America a “failure?” If you simply say that “they’re a failure because they don’t have higher ratings than Rush Limbaugh”, you don’t understand the concept of niche marketing, and should take a serious look at what the term “success” means to you.
–Cobra
Cobra, those comments you quoted seem to be opinions of the programming, not any sort of attempts to keep you from listening.
In any case, did you read the L.A. Times article that LaShawn referenced? Seems like Air America is having a pretty rough go. For a new venture with unlimited growth potential, it must be disappointing to them to be actually losing market share so early on. After an initial spike of interest, Air America is losing market share, even in liberal towns like San Diego, San Francisco and Philadelphia.
I readily admit that I’m no fan of Air America. Frankly, I can’t think of a more unpleasant lineup of “personalities,” nor a more revolting point of view. But I have no desire to try to force them off the air, as the left has tried to do to conservative talk radio ever since Rush Limbaugh came on the scene. I’m quite willing to wait, and let the marketplace determine Air America’s fate.
Redbeard writes:
>>>but supply and demand is how businesses work.”
There would NEVER be entreprenuers or small businesses if your belief is that the ONLY “successful” businesses are those who achieve a greater market share than their competitors.
I know people who put out a minimal investment into hot dog carts. Through hard work and determination, these people support themselves with these carts, and actually, make a good deal of profit. Will they ever acheive the market share of Nathan’s? I sincerely doubt it, but there is no question that they have been “successful.”
Number two, the above mentioned quotes weren’t about programming, but presumptions about what I AS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN LIBERAL is “supposed” to think, or enjoy.
Number three, I will repeat myself…what was RUSH LIMBAUGH’s market share in 1988? Compare it to what Air America has accomplished in one year.
–Cobra
I’m not suggesting that small business can’t be successful. Quite the contrary. I run a successful small business. But as I stated earlier, the founders of Air America defined their own success as being a powerhouse competitor to conservative talk radio. That’s their own standard, and it’s up to them to make it happen. Only time will tell, but as the stats show, their ratings are going the wrong direction at a time when growth should be strong.
As for #2, why worry about what others think? Listen to what you want. Free market, and all that.
Lastly, I have no idea what Rush Limbaugh’s rating were in 1988. I do know that he grew his network steadily from a handful of stations to over 600. Sean Hannity grew his network steadily to over 400 stations. If Air America’s bunch can turn it around and do the same thing, more power to them.
How about Bill Bennett’s talk show? Both started at the same time last year and now Bill is on over 120 stations.
Interesting to note that the original and low-ranked NYC (a bastion of liberals) programming that was replaced by AA still had twice the ratings that AA only dreams of getting. Seems more would rather listen to jazz & 3rd world music than listen to barking moonbats.
Andy writes:
>>>Interesting to note that the original and low-ranked NYC (a bastion of liberals) programming that was replaced by AA still had twice the ratings that AA only dreams of getting. Seems more would rather listen to jazz & 3rd world music than listen to barking moonbats.”
Again, let’s examine the TRUTH. The TRUTH is that Rush Limbaugh’s ratings in NYC are doubled, sometimes TRIPLED by shock jock Howard Stern’s. What is your explanation for Howard Stern, (under attack by the Republican appointee controlled FCC)outperforming right winged radio?
As far as Bill Bennett gaining 120 stations, I’m not surprised. If the demographics of the audience you’re targeting reads as such:
>>>The stereotypical talk radio listener is the angry white male fuming along to Don Imus while stuck in rush hour traffic or gramps puffing on his pipe to Limbaugh’s latest aural rampage. In fact, it’s true that radio skews male and older. Fifty-eight percent of listeners are men, age 18 and older, compared with 42 percent of same age women. According to Arbitron, three out of 10 listeners are seniors over age 65. For adults ages 55 to 64, the news/talk/information format remains one of the most popular, along with stations that play classical music and adult standards, such as Frank Sinatra and Cole Porter.”
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4021/is_2001_Oct_1/ai_79052842/pg_2
Given this scenario, David Duke could easily be successful as a conservative talk radio host, as the audience for his viewpoints is already in place. Hey, Duke did win 55% of the white vote in the Louisiana gubernatorial race, right?
–Cobra
The TRUTH is that I can’t see the relevance of Howard Stern or David Duke in this discussion.
Redbeard writes:
>>>The TRUTH is that I can’t see the relevance of Howard Stern or David Duke in this discussion.”
Why can’t you? The success of right winged radio goes hand in hand with the niche marketing to a particular demographic, primarily older white males. The voting trend of older white males skews Republican, as well, so all the stars are alligned for the success of that type of entertainment. Howard Stern is successful with a YOUNGER DEMOGRAPHIC, which proves that a talk show host doesn’t have to target old white males to get ratings.
–Cobra
Cobra, one of the criteria for commercial success as laid out in earlier comments is that the programming has to be entertaining. Trash sells!! Howard Stern meets that requirement, to include South Park conservatives, although he probably doesn’t tap the moral majority.
As for the stereotypical angry white male, you said it — sterotypical. If you listen to the callers, it’s obvious that there’s also “angry” white females, black, hispanic etc. Interesting that liberal voters tune in, if nothing else to keep tabs on what the other side thinks. Not likely with conservative listeners regading AA.
I guess the differnece is that perhaps Rush entertains the politically concerned/engaged where Stern & Imus entertains those not inclined to vote.
Bottomline, AA laid out some ambitious goals and are failing miserably. If they presented themselves as alternative programming and let the chips lay where they fall, it’d be different. Until AA offers beef instead of more vegan swill, it’d still be marginal, which says a lot about those who love it
Well, the Aribtron ratings are in for most markets, except for Seattle. Read ‘em & weep. Click on my name for the link to the blow by blow breakdown, scratch, meltdown.
Most markets show AA either holding steady or sliding towards oblivion as they place at or near bottom. That includes San Diego which was recently spun as a success story.
I think I get it now:
1)AA knew the numbers were going to be ugly, so they come out and hype the last set of ratings,
2) Exude confidence that it’s only going to get better over time.
3) Then ignore the ratings when they finally come out.
Talk about Smoke-n-mirrors machine. Mwahahaha
So I guess AA’s disgusting publicity stunt about killing the President didn’t work. They must be really desperate over there.
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