Progressive Stations dropping like flies...How About DU Radio??

[titaniumsalute]

I worked in talk radio for eight years and then I worked for Arbitron (the radio ratings and research company) for ten years. One thing I know...is the radio industry.

The radio industry has morphed into mostly corporations (some large like Clear Channel and CBS Radio and some smaller like Midwest Communications or Next Media.) Nonetheless, corporate radio means cheap product with lots and lots of commercials to try to pay their bills. Cheap programming means the listener suffers. Mediocre national syndicated programming, homogenized music stations, generic sounding stations, lack of local news and information, and lots of dead air since computers have replaced live board operators.

When radio stations started being bought out by corporations and turned into cheap sounding outlets, the birth of the internet was happening. In addition, Satellite Radio was in the works simultaneously. Third, the birth of the computer downloads/podcasts/iPods, etc. also has had a major impact on regular, terrestrial radio. As listening has been declining and more ad revenue is going to other media outlets, traditional stations are even more cutting back on programming thus alienating listeners even more.

So what do people do when they are fed up with over-the-air radio? They find better sources of content. I found satellite radio (XM/Sirius.) I can listen to all the baseball games in the world, my favorite music channel 70 Bluesville (No radio station in the US plays all Blues,) MSNBC on channel 117, other left leaning programs like Alex Bennet, Randi Rhodes, etc. Occasionally listen to Howard Stern, Mad Dog Russo on sports and other programs.

OK...after all of this is said...there still is a hole for one stop shopping 24 hours of progressive talk radio. Why not start an internet only DU radio station. It would be subscription based (small amount) with limited commercials. There would already be a sizable audience as DU has a very large base of users. Just a thought...but it seems like a way to expand.

[IggleDoer]

1. Is Randi Rdodes in Sirius/XM?

What channel?

[titaniumsalute]

4. 3p to 6p Channel 168

[byronius]

24. I stream her, and download the podcast.

http://www.randirhodes.com

Love that fucking woman. My god she's brilliant.

[msongs]

2. progressives don't listen to them in high enough numbers so...off they go nt

[titaniumsalute]

6. That's not true

Most Progressive stations had more listeners than national syndicated sports programming like Fox Sports and ESPN. I used to work in the ratings biz. Clear Channel doesn't want Progressive programming on the air. Period.

[RepublicansRZombies]

42. "Clear Channel doesn't want Progressive programming on the air."

exactly!

This is about more than money to them, they are evil SOBs

[regnaD kciN]

52. Initially, it WAS about money...

In the two years after Air AmeriCa launched, ClearChannel "discovered" progressive-talk radio, and set up/purchased a number of such stations, saying they were getting into the format big-time. This resolution lasted until the 2006 midterms. Before that point, the sense was that progressive talk was a small but profitable niche, and corporations like ClearChannel had nothing against profiting from providing a tiny echo-chamber to impotent lefties. Six years ago, however, it became apparent that the format was a force for "moving the needle" politically, not just being a lefty lonely-hearts club. I don't think it was an accident that, within a few weeks of Democrats retaking control of Congress, ClearChannel abruptly began converting these stations to right-wing talk or sports programming, even when their existence as a progressive station proved a ratings bonanza compared to what came before (and after, for that matter), nor that the phenomenon has repeated itself in the days following a progressive victory at the polls. Corporations like CC want us to be entertained (if it makes them a profit), not empowered.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

3. I think left wing radio just doesn't work that well.

There are a few people who are ok at it. But in general liberals tend to be more well read. If we hear something we make sure it checks out. Liberals will check 3 or 4 different sources before coming to a conclusion.

Right wing radio works because conservatives want to be spoon fed their opinions. Conservatives for the most part are simple and like to be talked at because they can't hold a discussion or put together a solid argument defending their positions.

[lonestarnot]

5. I was just going to say, I prefer to read. Nothing against listening, just my preference.

[tavalon]

25. Mostly yeah, but there was this woman who used to have a show on as I was coming home

from work in the morning. She had such a crisp voice and she sounded like she was always smiling. I followed her to MSNBC and now I watch her regularly. Rachel Maddow.

[titaniumsalute]

8. I agree with the few people are good at it thought

I read all the time and frankly talk radio shouldn't replace reading. But I also love programs like Alex Bennett and Stephanie Miller because they are funny, light-hearted, point out the ridiculous, etc.

[eShirl]

28. some of us like to multitask when there's not much time to read

I often like having something to listen to while my hands are busy accomplishing various tasks

[RepublicansRZombies]

43. yes, of course, and people at work. Clear Channel has a monopoly on talk radio

and Republican bosses have it on all day.

We have grown accustomed to not having a support system in the form of media, but imagine if our shows were on in the workplace 24/7, actually speaking the truth and talking about making policy based on fact?

Hard to imagine how much we could have accomplished by now...

[janx]

40. Agreed.

I love my Sirius/XM, but for MUSIC! And I'm a reader. I loathe commercials and am not at all into talk radio, no matter who is talking.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

7. Good idea and look around the foundation.

What do you know about creating a radio broadcast right over the site ? Is such a thing in existence ?
Is it possible ?Can it be patched in ?kind of like a you tube thing.

[titaniumsalute]

9. It's actually very easy to start a radio show on the internet.

There's hundreds in existence now. Most are pretty bad and without a springboard of already built-in audience to jump start the process it is hard to get them off the ground.

But this would basically be programming open to all but the DU audience would probably jump on it fairly quickly.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

46. That's interesting

Some years back I would take a very good radio with me to baseball games in Seattle. wasn't a boom box but it had excellent sound . Used to play it during the ball game, sometimes used ear phones, but the crowd around me insisted I let them listen in. It added considerably to the experience. Lots of people brought in walkman radios of course, but this deal turned into a shared experience.

My ear phones popped out of the connection when I turned the radio on one time the volume was low, suddenly action picked up on the playing field and a fan next to the radio upped the volume. I didn't mind. Fans both behind and surrounding ask the guy next to radio to turn it up more, i was preoccupied watching the field, .

As it turned out for the duration of the game there was an entire seating section listening to the radio broadcast -it added considerably to the experience.

Indeed as they told me, that is one hell of a radio !

Your idea is a good one.
And this site keeps growing or expanding.
I can see DU radio !

Good show !

[bionnaki]

10. progressive radio

WCPT: http://chicagosprogressivetalk.com/

[LTR]

12. Lots of progressive radio options on smartphone apps

Between IHeartRadio (several Clear Channel PT stations), Radio.com (KPTK Seattle) and TuneIn (the rest, as well as the webcasters, Pacifica, etc.), there are many options for listening on the go. Radio, especially on the AM band, is a dying beast.

[pstokely]

31. not all of us have the huge data plans or live in a 4G zone

the 50,000 conservatalkers reach into the boonies

[LTR]

32. I'm soft-capped at 2.5GB and live in a 3G area

The nice thing about talk radio is that it typically streams at low bitrates. KPTK in Seattle, for example, even has a 16kbps AAC+ stream that sounds pretty decent. I stream a lot (radio, Pandora, etc.) and haven't exceeded the limit yet.

As for smartphone plans, you can go with a no-contract carrier for as low as $35 a month with a $99 Android phone (that's the rate on Virgin Mobile, which goes through the Sprint Network).

[LTR]

11. The subscription route is tricky

Even some big-named people, like Steve Dahl, are struggling with it. Why would people pay to hear podcasts and webstreams. when there are so many free alternatives?

[Change has come]

13. I know Portland's station changed formats tonight...

What other stations are changing?

Northern Nevada has had progressive radio for 6 years. I would hate to think it won't last. It seems to really make a difference.

[eqfan592]

14. Maybe it could start with a DU pod cast?

Would probably be easier to get going as a start. Either way tho, I like the idea!

[eShirl]

27. awesome idea

[Tree-Hugger]

15. 1520 am Buffalo

I live in SE PA. We don't have much in the way of progressive radio. We have 1210am, which is right wing douchebag central, though they got rid of Rush, Beck and Hannity in the past few years. They now focus on local teabaggers, Buzz Bisinger (who seemed sane a few months ago, but then began drinking a lot of tea closer to the election) and Michael Smerconish. However, we can get broadcasts from Buffalo's 1520am - only at night. We can listen to Leslie Marshall and Alan Combs. The station has far reach - we have listened to it nearly the entire way home from Massachusetts (who used to have a good thing in 1510am, but even that wasn't too impressive last time we were up there) to SE PA.

[theKed]

16. Radio Free America!

[KharmaTrain]

17. The Up And Down Sides...

I've also had a very extensive background in radio...both "conventional" and since 1997 with internet. It's a fascinating and exciting time to be in this facet of radio...the technology is the great equalizer over the corporate control that is not only strangling but destroying over-the-air radio. I have many friends in "the biz" and have seen it go from a vibrant source of information and entertainment...live and local and dedicated to service to a corporate plantation of cookie-cutters that destroyed not only the local element but also the large resevoir of talent that kept the medium vibrant.

That said...running a 24/7 internet station is not difficult...maintaining it is another story. I'm involved with trying to get and keep stations going and it's tough sledding. But the worm is turning...as more and more people tune to their puters and cellphones and IP based system make their way into cars, the future is and will be with bits and bytes than megahertz and rush limbaugh.

I like your idea...keep me in the loop if something develops...I'm sure i could be of help...

Cheers...

[Kaleva]

18. One could listen to DU radio while reading and posting.

[hauweg]

19. BTW does anybody know what happend to Ray Taliaferro?

[Left coast liberal]

20. Our progressive station 1090 AM is terrific is Seattle.

Solid money maker. I love it and listen all the time as do many others.

And, the progressive talk talent is deep...

Thom Hartman
Shephanie Miller
Randy
Norman
Ed
With local talent coming up.

MSNBS and Rachel and Lawrence and Ed have the evening; we have come a long way since Bush stole it.

But DU Radio is a good idea. It could stream. I would listen.

People could advertise?

[RepublicansRZombies]

44. Well who is our Romney to buy up stations and put that lineup everywhere?

I'd take that!

We have 5 stations playing clear channel BS, it is absurd.

[regnaD kciN]

54. Ironic that you should post this...

...as AM1090 is apparently switching to "CBS Sports Radio" in January.

[cui bono]

21. Los Angeles' progressive station got completely ruined.

I don't know if Clear Channel always owned it or if they bought it and ruined it but it's unlistenable at this point. There's still Stephanie Miller in the morning and Randi Rhodes at noon and Mike Malloy in the evenings, but the 9am slot is pure dribble and the 3pm slot is the worst.

I've seriously thought about trying to do something about it. If I want to listen to talk radio now I use my phone app, TuneIn and listen to either the Seattle or New York station, depending on who I want to hear at what time.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

22. tunein WCPT

Last edited Sat Nov 10, 2012, 04:17 AM - Edit history (1)

here's a link
http://tunein.com/radio/WCPT-820-s27032/

Central Time
5AM - 8AM The Bill Press Show
8AM - 11AM The Stephanie Miller Show
11AM - 2PM The Ed Schultz Show
2PM - 5PM The Thom Hartmann Program
5PM - 8PM Norman Goldman
8PM - 9PM The Leslie Marshall Show
9PM - 12AM The Alan Colmes Show (streaming only)
1AM - 2AM The Stephanie Miller Show (streaming only)
2AM - 5AM The Thom Hartmann Program (streaming only)

[We People]

23. Thanks for posting this for everyone else...

since I already listen to it regularly! It's a great station.

Between all this news about progressive talk and hearing about the demise of Current TV, this is disheartening and I HATE to see all of this go the way of Air America radio (i.e. defunct). I hope NOT!!

It doesn't help our paranoia at all, does it?

[regnaD kciN]

55. Demise of Current TV???

[We People]

56. Sorry - I should have said "possible" demise

A couple of weeks ago there were a few articles about this, although this is the only one I can find right now:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021641243

First I read that it would be sold off, then DUers said it was just a rumor, then the original story resurfaced: that Al Gore is looking for a buyer. If that happens, the format can be changed.

I didn't mean to cause you to panic. An internet search should bring more info than I just did.

[eShirl]

26. That's the one I have favorited in my Roku TuneIn channel

[Blanks]

37. TV station. (on Roku)

HuffPo has a station where they stream live discussions and then have older discussions that you can view.

I dont listen to radio at all, but it would be neat to be able to watch DU discussions on TV and the Internet the way HuffPo does.

It is through something with Google+ I believe. Of course the live discussions could be broadcast through the radio as well.

[mucifer]

29. I listen to WCPT, my only problem with the station is that it is 2012,

Chicago is approximately 1/3 white 1/3 Hispanic and 1/3 African American and EVERY ONE of their main radio show, every one you mentioned above has a white host.

I listen to WCPT but I also listen to WVON 1690 am and WRTO 1200 to get a little balance. WVON is African American and mostly liberal. WRTO is Spanish talk radio.

It's weird how Chicago continues to be so segregated.

It's pathetic that CPT can't find ONE major show with a person of color hosting.

[madrchsod]

30. they have travis smiley starting this sunday afternoon....

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

48. True, kind of like how MSNBC took forever! to hire an African American...

I like Al a lot, too, and I don't miss Keith at all.

I listen to The Tavis Smiley Show (WCPT) when I'm driving on Sundays, which isn't often. It would be nice if they found a spot for him during the week. I tune into Alan Combs once a week during my commute. As much as I like Alan, his show attracts lunatics.

http://chicagosprogressivetalk.com/pages/pages.php?page=211

'THE TAVIS SMILEY SHOW' Sundays 2:00 - 3:00 pm CT


Maybe petition WCPT to expand The Tavis Smiley Show. The Jeff Santos experiment didn't last long. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who complained when they cut an hour off of Thom Hartmann to squeeze in Jeff.

[WolverineDG]

49. Their weekend shows are good too

I love "Our Town."

[cordelia]

33. 1010 WGUN am Atlanta

Small station, and some may say an odd lineup - religious programming along with Progressive talk - Rhodes and Malloy for instance.

I figure every little bit helps.

[onethatcares]

34. listener supported radio, WMNF 88.5 in Tampa

available in HD and on line formats,

Available world wide

The best little radio station in the world.

Everyday, Rob Luhrie(?) Radioactivity call in show 10 AM eastern time

Best selection of music the rest of the day.

[ThoughtCriminal]

35. Problem is - Right Wing Radio provides and audience that advertisers love

Gullible. Easy.

[pstokely]

38. but old and white

set in their buying and voting habits

[renate]

39. good point!

I never thought about why right-wing radio does so well, but I think your point must account for a big part of it.

[RepublicansRZombies]

45. a ton of their advertizing revenue comes from the Government, like HAMP(now HARP) ads

It's disgusting how many are publicly funded.

There are using our public airwaves and getting paid with our government money which should have been used to help homeowners.

[LTR]

47. Not exactly...

Have you heard the types of ads on conservotalk radio? Lowest common denominator. Nowadays, many advertisers are avoiding. political talk, since it's so polarizing. And it's tough enough to make money with AM radio. Sports talk and all-news, however, are very attractive to advertisers.

[pstokely]

53. talk radio in general attracts older viewers

but the corporations have the deep pockets to subsidize conservotalk radio losses

[Bucky]

36. Only if there's a Plaid Adder Show on the weekends.

[Fla Dem]

41. I love my Sirius Radio. Had it in the car and added my PC and ipod. Can listen anywhere, anytime.

Got a new car (woo hoo!) earlier this year. It came with a Sirius trial subscription. Living in NE Florida, there are NO progressive stations to listen to. Occasionally, I was able to pick up an on-line station. But was not very convenient. Was I ever thrilled when I found Stephanie Miller, Big Ed, Tom Hartman and others on Sirius. Now all I listen to are the 2 "Left" stations, POTUS and NPR. Sometimes I'll listen to Alex Wagner at noon on MSNBC. What I really like is when I took out a full subscription for Sirius, for only $3 more a month I was able to expand it to my PC and ipod. So now whether I'm working in the yard, at the gym, anywhere, I can listen to my favorite people.

[saveferris]

50. There's NetrootsRadio.com

Of, by and for the Democratic wing of the Democratic party.

We have Thom Hartmann, Amy Goodman and original progressive voices as well.

We'd love you to join us.

NetrootsRadio.com

[DonCoquixote]

51. community radio

Very often more to the left of PBS, and gets almost no money or help from PBS (as sadly, public radio sees them as competition rather than allies)

Great examples:

WMNF Tampa (a good reason wht Tampa bay went left) check out wmnf.org
WSLR Sarasota florida
WFMU Hoboken
WWOZ New Orleans

Go ahead and google any of these.