Category: Media

NAB – Look Up the Definition of “Consolidation!”

  “Diversity can never be the result of consolidation.  It doesn’t work that way.”  – Darryl Parks (You can quote me on this)   Perry Michael Simon wrote a great piece on All Access.com last Friday explaining how radio would have ended up in the shape it’s in today…consolidation or no consolidation…big companies or little…

“Toxic” Talk Show Hosts and “Toxic” Radio

On Wednesday, February 29, 2012, the world of any talk show host changed.  That was the day Rush Limbaugh verbally attacked Sandra Fluke on his show. In his commentary opining she wanted government to pay for her sexual activities he said, “What does that make her?  It makes her a slut, right?  It makes her…

New Show: Hurry! Before Your Audience Dies.

I received this through my LinkedIn account the other day. Interesting marketing angle.  Broadcast this show before your “1980’s talk host fans” take their last ride on the way to the cemetery. Not sure of the show’s long-term viability.  But, it got my attention and made me laugh. Looks like KFWB goes all sports in…

Talk Radio’s Ratings Disaster – Why Nothing Changes

I guess I hit close to home with my prior blog post on the Ratings Disaster that is today’s talk radio. The June PPM’s suck for talk radio.  Hell.  The diary markets coming in are bringing little joy.  And many in the talk radio industry just sit back and continue on autopilot with the same…

Ratings Disaster: Ignore It. Talk Radio Hoping It Goes Away

A few years ago, a talk host at a very “Big” (hint ONE) radio station told me, “I just want another 20 years.”  My reply, “20 years?  You’ve got 5.” I’m an optimistic guy by nature.  I always think positive, maybe to a fault.  I’m also a realist and a competitive son-of-a-bitch who has no…

Cable News Audiences Get Even Older

As I write this on July 7, 2014, I am exactly 2 months from becoming irrelevant.  In just 8 weeks I turn 55.  I will be leaving the coveted “Persons 25-54” demographic, the age group considered key by most advertisers.  Oh well, this aging Baby Boomer did have some fun in the previous 3 plus…

A Peek Into Talk Radio’s Future

I was thinking about summer the other day.  I love summer.  Growing up in the Northeast and living most of my life there or in the Midwest, summers are very special.  The short summer is special because it ends.  Lasting memories can only be created when something stops, allowing one to remember with fondness.  I…

Ratings are your Report Card. Listening Talk Radio?

I can’t say this any clearer. Ratings are your report card.  Nothing else matters. Associated Press awards don’t matter.  A plaque from a local charity for community service work, while nice, doesn’t matter either.  Nielsen numbers are what matters.  With higher ratings, come higher revenues.  It’s what I call “Rule #1 – Ratings and Revenue.”…

Talk Radio Forgot What it Learned When O.J. Killed Two People

20 years ago, on the night of June 17, 1994, my wife Kathie was flying to meet me in Buffalo.  After watching O.J. Simpson attempt his run for the border only to be met with cheering crowds on interstate overpasses and TV cameras bolted to helicopters, I sped to the airport, ran down to the…