Category: Opinions
Convention Coverage Unlike Any in History
By Tom Tradup
Salem Radio Network
V.P. News/Talk Programming
DALLAS — R.I.P. American political conventions. You had a good run, but now you’re toast.
2020 has presented talk radio with many challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic — which has personally impacted many in our industry including the amazing infection-through-recovery story of John McConnell. We’ve also been asked to cover nationwide riots — oops, I mean “peaceful protests”— following the senseless killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, the contraction of the radio industry including layoffs and pay cuts, and operating day to day with masks and social distancing.
KID-AM Owner Explains Morning Show’s Departure
Editor’s Note: This piece follows up on TALKERS’ April 20 report on the exit of KID-AM, Idaho Falls morning team Neal Larson and Julie Mason. In it, station owner Richard Mecham explains what happened leading up to their resignations. He presents the email he sent to the duo.
By Richard Mecham
President
Rich Broadcasting
SALT LAKE CITY — I spent a lot of time monitoring KID-AM the week of April 13 from my office in Salt Lake City. While listening to the station I heard the following comments:
The Nitty Gritty of Online Radio Listening
By Phil Valentine
Talk Show Host
WWTN-FM
NASHVILLE — The talk radio world has been holding its collective breath as March numbers come in. I had to talk several colleagues off the ledge who thought ratings were going to take a nose dive. After all, they said, nobody’s in their cars. They’re all at home. Drive time, especially, is going to take a beating, I was told.
I had to explain that ratings come from the universe of people who are listening to the radio, not the population at large. Even if that universe is smaller, talk radio’s numbers should be higher, not lower. If you’re listening to the radio these days, odds are you’re listening for information and perspective. That’s where talk radio shines.
Gen Z Is Excited About Radio
By Chad Whittle
Lecturer
Georgia College
MILLEDGEVILLE, GA — I wanted to share some great news with all of you in the radio business: Generation Z is excited about radio! The articles stating the demise of radio is just around the corner are all greatly exaggerated.
This semester, I have had the honor and privilege of getting to teach a course on radio broadcasting to students ranging from freshmen to sophomores. In this course, multiple students are excited about learning more about the radio industry. I know because they told me last semester they were interested and eager to take the class.
Fatherly Advice from Bob Lonsberry
By Bob Lonsberry
Talk Show Host
ROCHESTER, NY — My son signs on today.
His own radio program.
A talk show. In Salt Lake City.
And on his first day, he will have a bigger audience and a bigger paycheck than I have ever had.
And yet, it is the nature of the elder to lecture the younger, to tell them how the world was in hope that it relates to how the world will be.
Siegel: Talk Radio Can Impact Regime Change in Iran
By Mike Siegel
Talk Show Host
Genesis Communications Network
SEATTLE — There is great disagreement and even hostility among differing political factions in America.
One thing we can all agree on is our opposition to the murderous and barbaric regime in Iran which has killed 120,000 of its own citizens since taking over in 1979 and caused violent conflict throughout the Middle East in Libya, Yemen, Iraq, Syria and elsewhere in its attempts to take control of the entire Middle East under tyrannical and autocratic religious rule.
Women in Talk: Is This an Issue?
By Walter Sterling
Talk Show Host
Westwood One
NEW YORK — Take a look at real power. The picture here shows the most powerful people in
daytime radio in 1955. Mary Margaret McBride (left) and Pegeen Fitzgerald (right).
Radio for the 55+ Listener? It’s About Time
By Mark Wainwright
SYRACUSE — But the key to reaching this audience is in rekindling their relationship with radio. It takes more than just playing the right music.
If you’ve spent any time on social media recently, you probably noticed that long-time programmer and consultant John Sebastian has been working to generate interest in his proposed 55+ format. While the idea has received quite a bit of positive feedback, much of it is focused on the music mix. Yes, the right music is important, but the real key to this format’s potential has been overlooked, and it’s something that applies equally to both music and news/talk stations.
Advice to Rush Limbaugh Stations: PANDER
By Holland Cooke
Media Consultant
BLOCK ISLAND, RI – “Pander.” That is your one-word, sure-shot ratings success strategy.
Ten years ago, Limbaugh was a mature act. Some stations that branded as “Rush Radio” eventually re-branded. Now, buoyed by Trump, his 30th anniversary. During El Rushbo’s recent Three-Oh show, the president called to gush congratulations.
Gallup Poll: How many people feel that the media “report the news fully, accurately and fairly?”
A Real Producer Can Protect a Talk Show Host from Saying Something Stupid
By Jeffrey Haveson
Talk Media Consultant
Newark, NJ — Dennis Malloy and Judi Franco are back at Trenton-based New Jersey 101.5 after a 10-day suspension, but what have we learned from this as an industry?
For those who don’t know or have forgotten, the suspension was meted out to Dennis and Judi after they repeatedly called New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewalon, who is a Sikh, “the guy with the turban” and “Turban Man,” and Dennis defended the name calling by saying “if that offends you, then don’t wear the turban (man) and I’ll remember your name.”
This is a perfect example of why talk radio stations, be they public or commercial, news talk, conservative talk, progressive talk, sports talk, financial talk, or other, need real producers.
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