Progressive Talk Rankings (What Liberal Media?)

There's such an enormous demand for progressive media that's not being met. The most outrageous example of this is the disparity in radio. According to Media Matters, there is a 10 to 1 ratio of conservatives to progressives on radio. That's the bad news.

The good news is, progressive talk has gone from less than 1% of the market share to about 10% today, a huge increase. But there's still a lot of work to be done to ensure progressive voices are heard across America.

Which makes me wonder why Air America insists on continuing to build on their past mistakes (Sam Seder moved to one day a week?). For example, why was Kent Jones just fired from the Rachel Maddow show? He was really, really funny and a perfect compliment to Maddow's logical nature.

At any rate, I wanted to share my Top 5 Progressive Talk Radio Rankings (and see yours).


1)-Thom Hartmann: He's the most well informed host on radio and he puts everything in a much needed historical context.
www.thomhartmann.com

2)-The Young Turks (Cenk Uygur): He's the most gutsy host on radio and is never an apologist for this weak bunch of democrats. He's also really funny.
www.theyoungturks.com

3)-Rachel Maddow: She's really intelligent and makes so many well thought out, logical points. But the entertainment level takes a hit without Kent.
http://www.airamerica.com/maddow/

4)-Ed Schultz: I think he has a LOT of mainstream appeal. He's the type of host that might actually be able to convert the Limbaugh fans out there (yes, I'm serious), which is critical. http://www.bigeddieradio.com/

5)-Sam Seder: It's criminal that he's only on Sundays now (well, for quite a while now). He's another smart and funny host (yes, I appreciate a laugh considering how serious and stressful it can be dealing with this administration).
http://samsedershow.com/

for Mike Malloy --I'd agree with you.

I don't listen to Ed much, it's more that I recognize he has far more crossover appeal than any other host out there, IMO.

I think that while radio is important to fire up and organize the progressive base, it should ideally appeal to moderates/indes and sometimes even conservatives. I'm not saying EVERY show should do that (impossible), just that Ed is one of the few that does.

Before I deliver my top five a few points. I encourage some of you to find some of the very good local talk hosts that are progressives out there. You my have to deal with some local issues to the city you are listening, but it is worth it sometimes.

Sam Seder...I don't get the appeal. That guy (and yes I think he is bright) has one of the worst deliveries in the business. He cannot get through more than a d few words without some serious ummms and uhhh utterances. I think he is unlistenable. Maddow is also very smart but as boring as wallpaper drying.

My top five talk hosts are...

1. Neil Rogers WQAM Miami
2. Lynn Cullen WPTT Pittsburgh
3. Bernie Ward KGO San Francisco
4. Stephanie Miller Syndicated Jones
5. Karel KGO San Francisco (fill-in and weekends)

I guess two runner's up would be Cynk Uygur (Young Turks) and Lionel on AAR. Lionel was great on WOR in NYC but his show on AAR is a little mind numbing.

:toast:

and Jorge. They were extremely nice and very charming. He's a legend down here. I'm so happy you've found him.

Tell me, do you get the local humor? I guess with the repetition, eventually he'll explain the joke, but I always worried he was too local to keep the internet listeners interested.

Good on ya!

Unlike Premier and other talk radio "networks", Air America is a lone wolf...a small operation in a land of giants. It's a renter in a land of condo owners and it's cost them dearly. From its inception, the network has been cash-strapped...just lucky to pay the bills and fight another day...there's never been any money for long-term promotions or planning. The Greens have kept the network from folding, but they haven't grown the brand...if anything, they've lost a few affiliates recently. I keep wondering how deep their pockets are...can they afford to just keep it floating the way it is?

The network remains stuck on second-rate signals in many markets that are at a ratings disadvantage. You can have the greatest talent, but if people can't hear it clearly, what good is it. The other problem is promotion...letting people know you're there and keeping them involved with the station. Word of mouth only goes so far.

I have no personal rankings...I turn on the local AAR station and if its interesting I listen, if not, I'm off to NPR or Pacifica or another offering. I've never been a fan of a left wing version of hate radio.

What shows have you listened to?

Although I will say there are some "knee jerk liberal" hosts out there I'm not a fan of (not on my list obviously).

But I do like some hosts that get really passionate and sometimes made. In fact, unless you're a robot, I'm not sure how anyone could've lived through the last 7 years and NOT have been incredibly pissed at some point.

NPR is ok. Too dry at times for my taste and depending on the time of day, it doesn't have enough political news (for me). It also doesn't have enough humor mixed in to keep me interested for long (although obviously Hartmann breaks that rule...I love the guy but not for his sense of humor).

Old habits are hard to break...and working in the industry doesn't help...I'm dialing around and sampling lots of different stations and personalities. Yes, I've heard several who get a bit into the theatrics and name-calling that I find to be a turn-off on any format...right or left. Passionate is one thing...but constantly ragging or name calling in long monologues or shouting down callers may be fine for some, but I find it very distracting.

Unfortunately, I don't hear much local Progressive talk. Our local AAR station has zero local discussion that would add a unique and more attractive element to the station, but ownership doesn't feel its worth the expense. I notice this is the case on many other AAR stations. If I want national or international, I come to the internet...the same goes for analysis.

Usually I listen in the car fighting one traffic mess or another, I prefer calm in the car.

Also, since our AAR affiliate here is daytime only and moves its schedule around, it's almost like potluck when I pop in as to whom i on the air. Late at night, I'll listen on my internet radio and sample what AAR and NOVA-M offers...again, it's mostly pot luck as its hosts that aren't aired here in Chicago.

The local progressive station in Chicago (WCPT) moved from AM850 to AM820 (and displaced a fundamentalist Catholic station ironically).

The signal is TWICE as strong and covers twice the area. But to be honest, I almost always just download podcasts of some of the Air America shows.

And for the record, I can't stand names like "rethugs, repunks, repukes", etc.

Actually reception in my area is worse now than it was before. I live closer to the 850 transmitter...820 is 40 miltes away and I get interference from nearby stations (WGN & WBBM bleed over on 820). Around my office I listen on my Infusion Internet Radio to the WCPT webcasts that go 24/7...I also have KPNX, Pacficia and WPR programmed into it...it's a great little device.

WCPT does have, or had, night time authority on 820...a former station on the frequency used to operate 24/7, but that would require building a special night time antenna sight out south that would only cover a sliver of the city. Personally, I'd like Newsweb to throw AAR on one of their FM stations.

that ATLANTA doesn't have a progressive radio station! We had AAR for a while, but they changed it to a fundie station. I admit it was difficult for me to tune into a bit north of Atl. but I endured the static in the car, and just tuned in via the net at home. NOW all I have in the NET! I admit there's a bigger choice, but I'd LOVE to have a station that I could listen to in the car too!

Great post Kharma. Air America's model has been the worst since inception. In almost every scenario a radio personality syndicator like Premiere (Rush, Beck, etc.) or Westwood One (Jim Bohannon, Dennis Miller) create a show and sell those shows individually. Syndicators usually have a variety of shows for a radio station to choose from. Many have music shows like Lia the country music show, John Tesh, Delilah, etc.

But Air America tried to operate like a local radio station 24 hours a day with news and syndicate the whole 24 hours a day programming. That is nearly impossible to do. and EXTREMELY expensive.

The best thing Air America could do is drop the news, drop all but three or four hosts and focus on syndicating those shows. Maybe keep a couple weekend shows to syndicate as well. If not, the whole thing will disappear from the airwaves. Of course the more talented hosts will get a gig somewhere, but AAR will be gone unless they blow up the current strategy and reign in the costs.

I had the same suggestions a long time ago...even submitted some to the Drobnys...and I'm still waiting for a reply :rofl:

I long suggested syndication as the means to really develop Progressive Radio. It's the most cost efficient way to get programs on the air and self-supporting, but it requires good station relations people (not always easy to find). The other option is to use new technologies via the Internet that can deliver all types of programming in a variety of ways (over the air, websites, wireless networks) and offering programming on a barter basis.

The bottom line is having a solid marketing plan and sticking to it. I've worked with very successful syndicators who had a clue going in to get a show on the air, get to break even and then expand on a solid foundation. AAR wanted to be a big fish overnight...but without any real control on the stations or the flow of revenues, they will always be at the mercy of the corporates.

It's a tough time in radio right now...and I can't see the revenue situation getting better this holiday season. Tomorrow we'll see if more monopoly is the "answer".

Cheers...

1) Mike Malloy - For telling it like it is when it comes to the Bush Crime Family

2) Thom Hartmann - The most intelligent man in radio. Even Malloy agrees.

3) Sam Seder - It's a crime that this man can't get a regular radio gig. Try not to miss a Sunday.

4) Stephanie Miller - Perfect morning show with political humor. Jim is a voice genius.

5) Ring of Fire - I'm not happy with RFK Jr endorsing Hillary, but aside from that, I hope he and Mike Papantonio will continue to bring the best weekend program on the radio to life. (What happened to the "Pap Attack" though? I miss those rants)

Honorable mentions - Randi Rhodes, Rachel Maddow, Jeff Farias (KPHX/NovaM) Hell, even Schultz seems to be better than he used to be.

I hate those conservation blowhard shows not only for their substance, but also for their style. Air America shows usually aren't that bad, but they come close. There was a locally produced "liberal" morning talk show on the AA affiliate station in LA that was just unlistenable; full of stupid sound effects and making jokes about someone's appearance, etc.

What I want that would really do battle with these conservative blowhards is a truly independent, non-biased media that simply reported the facts and investigated stories for the purpose of finding the truth, regardless of any political ramifications. I think I'm not the only one who feels this way, and that accounts for some of the disparity between conservative and liberal radio.

Bob Edwards on XM Satellite radio. No schtick, just mostly reporting and interviews.

That's great to know - I really like him, and thought it was complete crap when they kicked him from NPR. I don't think it's enough to get me to buy a satellite radio though.... there's something about radio being free that I love too much.

I understand what you're saying, and there is one particular (and popular) liberal talk show host that I can't stand because the show is full of sarcasm and stupid sound effects (I'll let you figure it out).

But there are two things to keep in mind:

1)-Conservative media is ubiquitous and not going away any time soon. And honestly, I'm perfectly ok with opinion media IF it's promoted and *known* to be opinion media. The problem comes in when average, uninformed people turn on an incredibly partisan opinion show and assume everything is 100% accurate just because it's on TV. At any rate, I'm fine with liberal opinion media if it's recognized as such. I don't want there to ONLY be conservative opinions floating out there.

2)-Part of the problem with much of the media is that it strives for a fake neutrality. I don't just want a stenographer to say A, B and C. Reporting factoids with no context is not something to strive for (it has it's role but it shouldn't be all there is). Also, far too many stories are "Group A claims this while group B denies it".

That's NOT news to me. How about some reporting so I can find out if what Group A or Group B claims is actually correct!

Here is a PERFECT example of (fake neutrality) what I mean. One of my favorite show hosts breaks down a horrible CNN segment on S-CHIP: http://youngturks.vo.llnwd.net/o1/10-12-07Roberts_Frost.wmv

about the first, I just say it's time to bring back the fairness doctrine.

Agree on Hartmann, Seder and Maddow.....and as much as Randi can grate my nerves, she's a powerhouse. And you can't leave out raging Mike Malloy. .....And Ring of Fire (Pap & RFK) rocks!

The Young Turks? I just can't get into it, but agree that Cenk is pretty bold..... And I can't get with Big Eddie at all.

Again, I don't listen to Big Eddie much, it's most about respect for what he can do. If it were my own entertainment only, I'd replace Ed with Ring Of Fire.

PS---Gotta love the Turks. But I will say that some people liked them better when there were two hosts. The old co-host moderated Cenk. But hey, have you listened to Wednesday's with Wes? Wes Clark Jr (yes, that Wes Clark Jr's veteran son) co-hosts and is a great foil for Cenk. Also, Christy Harvey (sp) co-hosts on Thursdays.

It really bugs me.

people of color who were on Air America Radio. I know Riley still does weekend programs. Bev Smith is a nationally syndicated talk show host on the AURN. (She's awesome by the way.)

In all fairness there simply are not many black talk show hosts out there. You have a few on the right like Larry Elder and (oh my GOD) Alan Keyes.

Most of the hosts are liberal or progressive. www.wvon.com Cliff Kelly does a great show. Lots of local politics. But, he is very entertaining. AAR or Jones could pick up a show like that and give it national attention but they chose not to. Radio is very segregated. Here in Chicago there is white talk radio, black talk radio and latino talk radio. It's sad.

.... but they tend to be local or on networks like POWER, the black issues-oriented network on XM. And many of the hosts talk about issues not exclusive to the African American community, and are almost always progressive.

The Young Turks has a (surprise) Turkish guy.

But, it's still annoys me that none of the regular weekday shows have blacks or latino hosts.

'The Young Turks" or 'Ed Schultz'

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My Picks - (Not necessarily in any order of preference because it depends on my mood)

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The Jon Elliot Show - (also very well informed ) I enjoy his show.
He lets callers talk and is polite!

Sam Sedar - I like listening to his shows when I remember to listen.

Mike Malloy - He's OK when I'm PO'd and need someone to scream it out for me.
But the hate speech gets on my nerves a lot.

Tom Hartman - He's good but he puts me to sleep sometimes.

Randi Rhodes - I like her sense of humor and the telling off of freepers!

Rachel Maddow - She's a riot but sometimes gets on my nerves with the constant
background sounds (it was funny the first time but... )

BillPress.com - I was really getting into his show but it seems
he went 'Sirius' and now you have to pay to listen?

Am I missing anyone?

too and she's really funny.

I think Elliot's a nice guy, but his show makes drying paint seem exciting.

Even total a-holes. It drives me crazy.

He's a smart guy but yes, he does put me to sleep at times.

Each to their own. ;)

you ripped the Turks and now Hartmann? Well, that makes me feel better! Yes, definitely, to each his own! :)

PS---Hartmann is just respectful. And he can get heated at times, trust me. But yes, he's very dry and insanely informative.

They rip themselves imho.

They've had some funny stuff but the bragging is a turn off.

I don't listen to "reformed" republicans if I can help it.

I pointed out in my other reply...you confused the once a week cohost with the main guy!

It's ok though, no big deal. :)

about TYT and Ed?

his being the son of Gen. Clark and his money etc. He also goes on and on about his
republican background and he comes across as a bragger hanging on daddies coattails.

JMO.

Ed Shultz is a loud mouth and his voice reminds me to much of Limpballs.

Besides he took the wrong side on a lot of progressive positions, in my book.

YMMMV

You know the main host of TYT is a turkish guy and the son of an olive picker (who worked his to America) with no military background? You're confusing him with Wes Clark Jr who cohosts only on Wednesdays!

But yes, Cenk is a former republican, which shows he's flexible and learned from his mistakes.

http://www.theyoungturks.com/story/2007/10/18/112051/03/featured/How-CNN-Blew-the-Graeme-Frost-Story

As for Ed, he is a loud mouth but again, he's the best shot at converting Limbaugh fans, so he's relevant.

on the morning shows. Very early and he was very annoying!! Glad he's only on once a week. ;)

"the main host of TYT"... when is he on because I've ONLY heard Clark every time I've
listened and it was every morning for a while there.

"But yes, Cenk is a former republican, which shows he's flexible and learned from his mistakes."
:rofl: BS! He's still a republican! Don't kid yourself. ;)

Who cares about Douchebag fans? That boat has sailed, imho.
That was true 2 years ago but the tide already turned. It shows in the polls.

the pap and chit-chat quasi-humor.
I loved her and respected her in the wee hours but can't listen anymore.
Seder rocks, Garafalo to for that matter!

Kent Jones was the perfect compliment to Maddow, because he was really funny and balanced out her seriousness.

That's why it's such a stupid firing.

he's really condescending, especially to callers who mention something that's 1% off topic?

Lionel is, well, unlistenable. And to think they dumped Seder for Lionel . .