The Nation should report on why Liberal Talk radio is such a mess

[Cato the Younger]

We all know that major corporate media has every interest in seeing liberal talk radio die off as quickly as possible. That story is really obvious to anyone paying attention. What would be good to have looked at is what AAR, NovaM and others have done that has both helped and hindered the rise of liberal radio. We all know that rating cited by many hosts can be used in all sorts of different ways, both to make the completion look weaker than they really are and yourself look stronger than you may actually be. But we know there is a hunger and audience for the message.

Why hasn't it been more successful? Why does it seem to be filled with hosts moving from one syndicator to another while other talented hosts just vanish? Is there a different model liberals should look toward to getting progressive ideas out there?

We need to look at ourselves and really take a long hard look at what has worked and what has failed. And frankly, it we were truly successful we would have far more stations than we currently have. Yes, corporate hindrance of liberal ideas is a huge part of it but I doubt any of us think that is the only reason.

[DeltaLitProf]

1. I think it's tragic what has happened to AAR

. . . which seemed so much more vital and creative when it started in 2004.

I think we're going to have to make up our minds that liberal talk radio, like conservative talk radio, may go through a dry spell for years before it ever ends up paying. There are moral reasons it must be supported that trump any talk about how profitable it will be. We have to count on our rich liberals to keep it running, and keep pushing them to do so.

[Skittles]

2. it fails for the same reason quality TV programming often fails

people like garbage like "reality TV" - look at the success of crap like American Idol and tabloid shit - which is what repuke radio offers....progressive, liberal talk is logical and thoughtful and requires some level of intelligence.

[Political Heretic]

4. Well that's the snob explanation.

Which doesn't explain successful shows that deliver a left leaning perspective such as KO or Rachel. Nor Thom Hartman who has millions of listeners.

Why is it so many people on the left always assume that the reason something they support doesn't work is because they are just too superior to the "masses" and too sophisticated and smart for everyone else?

The much more realistic explanation is that the major sources for progressive radio nationally - namely AAR - were horribly ran and grossly mismanaged, and many of the show hosts are rank radio amateurs who deliver shitty shows no matter what their politics are?

No of course it couldn't be that... everyone else is just too stupid to "get" us.

:eyes:

PS - quality TV programming also often succeeds and has huge viewership. West Wing was quality and highly rated. BSG may not be your thing but it was also quality and highly rated. Quality programming is expensive - and networks often discover that people will watch crap if crap is all that is offered. So television gets dumbed down. HBO delivers amazing shows of extreme quality, but we have to pay for it. We can fault people for not being more selective and discriminating in what they watch, but there are many instances where a quality show does get made and plenty of people watch it.

[Skittles]

6. snob???

I don't think it SNOBBY to prefer CNN over FOX NEWS but the fact is, I don't watch either one....I think too many progressives are turned off to both TV AND radio and simply prefer to get their news from the web...and have you actually LISTENED to rightwing radion? It is pure garbage but people eat it up not because their formatting is great or their programming is quality - they simply LIKE BEING LIED TO - they LIKE WHAT THEY HEAR

[eleny]

3. And yet it was still an element that helped Obama get elected

Can you imagine its power if it was in full swing?

[janedum]

5. In our nation's capital, ALL talk stations are right-wing ...

Air America .. gone!
Stephanie Miller .. gone!
Bill Press .. gone!
Ed Schultz is on an AM station you can't hear because the signal is so bad.
Everyday I want to wreck my car listening to that b*tch Monica Crowley, and that f*kkn
Lou "I'm not a republican" Dobbs.
Right-wingers STAY ON MESSAGE. They are NOT comedians.
As soon as progressive talk radio signed up comedians, I knew it wouldn't work.
And what about that idiot, "Lionel"? He was THE WORST of 'em.
What a jack@$$.

[eleny]

7. I had to stop watching McLaughlin Group on Friday nights because of Monica Crowley

At first I'd just hit the mute button on the remote when she was speaking. But I realized that I was fooling myself. It was unbearable with her as a regular.

Hopefully D.C. will get more than Ed and on a better station. This is ridiculous.

[DAMANgoldberg]

10. 570 isn't bad...

The signal beats 1260 AM, the best AM signal in the market is 1500 AM and the Mormons )Bonneville) aren't giving that one up for any politics.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

8. You could always listen to music

:shrug:

[TheOneAndOnly]

9. why

why is it such a mess? would anyone have any idea why it is doing so poorly?