You Read It Here First...Rushbo and Hannity to be dropped in 40 Radio Markets...

[KharmaTrain]

The rumor had been circulating in the radio biz ever since Cumulus Media hired Mike Hucklenutz and began rumbling about losing money with rushbo:

http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/07/cumulus-planning-to-drop-rush-limbaugh-sean-hannity-169371.html

In a major shakeup for the radio industry, Cumulus Media, the second-biggest broadcaster in the country, is planning to drop both Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity from its stations at the end of the year, an industry source told POLITICO on Sunday.

Cumulus has decided that it will not renew its contracts with either host, the source said, a move that would remove the two most highly rated conservative talk personalities from more than 40 Cumulus channels in major markets.

(PHOTOS: Cartoons of Rush Limbaugh)

The decision comes after negotiations between Cumulus and Premiere Networks, the division of Clear Channel that distributes Limbaugh and Hannity's shows, broke down due to disagreements over the cost of the distribution rights, the source said. Cumulus is known to drive a hard bargain on costs, and Clear Channel is known to seek top dollar for big names.

As industry insiders caution, Cumulus and Clear Channel have come to the brink before during contract negotiations only to resume talks. But the source told POLITICO that Clear Channel was unlikely to reduce the cost for distribution rights to a level that would satisfy Cumulus.

This means the pair will lose their longtime radio homes at WABC, WLS, KABC and KSFO among others. Expect Cheap Channel/Premier to find new affiliates (in New York they bought WOR in anticipation of this happening) but on stations with far less reach than they're currently on. It also means a substantial loss of affiliate revenues. One more example that hate radio is dying.

Discuss...

[BumRushDaShow]

1. Already discussed ad nauseum yesterday

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3362042

[intheflow]

10. Seriously.

GD needs a "good DU citizens check for dupes" disclaimer like LBN has. This post "read it here first" post is late to the scene by 24 hours and 25 posts between here and my facebook page.

[madokie]

2. We can sure hope this proves to be true

sluts like hannity or pedoboy should never have been spewing their rancid bullshit to begin with

[LostOne4Ever]

3. Just tell me when

Its safe to post this video:

[Ford_Prefect]

4. When will they and their ilk be pulled from AFR ???

[spicegal]

5. Hallelujah.

Is it possible people are growing tired of the hatred and lies?

[KharmaTrain]

7. Sadly No...It's One Corporate Screwing Another...

The stations pulling those shows are owned by Cumulus...now the second largest radio conglomeration behind Clear Channel. Right now Cumulus is paying big bucks to Clear Channel's subsidiary, Premiere, for the "privilege" to run these shows. Instead, they want to produce their own hate radio...starring Mike Hucklenutz...and not only save the millions they're prime competitor but try to avoid the big financial boycott that's taken it's toll on all talk radio (including, sadly, Progressive talk). The ratings have been sinking for hate radio for years but there's little else these companies can do with antiquated radio stations they overpaid for. Just one more step towards self-oblivion...

[NuttyFluffers]

6. boo! boycotting is mean & unproductive!

it merely hurts the innocent!

(labeled for the irony impaired)

[KharmaTrain]

8. It Has Hurt Progressive Talk Radio...

...forcing stations in Seattle, Portland and other cities to drop their progressive formats and go to sports...

[nakocal]

16. Actually the progressive format in Seattle and Portland were making money

The decision to drop the progressive format in these cities had nothing to do with losing money. The stations were dropped because they were threatening the right wing owners of the networks that they were on.

[KharmaTrain]

18. And You Have A Source For That???

Considering the Seattle station was owned by CBS and the Portland one was owned by Clear Channel, I'd be curious to find out which "right wing" owners threatened these two large corporates. Any links would be appreciated...

[NuttyFluffers]

19. Cumulus' business model and backroom mission statement verifies it

go do research on the nature of that company and you'll find a lot of muckraking connecting the dots. and it's not the only one.

[KharmaTrain]

20. I'm Very Familiar With Lew Dickey...

...and would still appreciate a link to verify what you're claiming. I'm no fan of any of these corporates who destroyed the medium so I'd really enjoy seeing this "mission statement"... TIA...

[freemay20]

9. Elephant in room is stil there

We have to remember, although it is wonderful news that Cumulus is going to or may drop "the drugster" in 40 markets, the problems remains that there will be a locally owned station in every one of those markets to pick his bigoted show up. Admittedly, this is a great step in the correct direction, getting rid of those that spread fear, lies and hate, we just need to find a way to keep them off the air. Freedom of speech, MY BUTT, his is HATE SPEECH.

[KharmaTrain]

12. It's An Old, Faded And Inept Elephant These Days...

...2012 was a disastrous year for hate radio. All their vaunted "saviors"...Cain, Santorum, Bachman and Gingrich all had their 15 minutes in the primaries and lost to the "establishment" candidate. Then in November, not only did President Obama win re-election (despite all their bravado that he was toast) but many of their favorites like Murdoch, Aiken and other favored "rushpublicans" lost their Senate races. The only thing they were good at last year were circular firing squads and insulting a vast majority of the populace and advertisers.

Hate radio is on life support...as is the rest of radio. Clear Channel sits with 20 billion plus in debt and no game plan other than to fire even more overworked employees. The medium has lost virtually all listeners under 40...every time an EMT goes to the Villages or Sun City, hate radio loses another valued listener. It won't go away tomorrow, but hate radio's salad days are long past and it will be a loud and painful demise to a once creative and vibrant industry...

[Shankapotomus]

11. Time to start boycotting

WOR advertisers.

[broadcaster75201]

13. What adult calls themselves "Rushbo"?

It sounds like a bad kid's cartoon.

[joanbarnes]

14. Hate radio can't die fast enough, next Hate TV, I hope?

[7962]

15. Nope, I think "Housewives of New Jersey" got renewed again.......

[malaise]

17. Please, please please please

Pretty please, please, please, please!

[spanone]

21. k&r...

[Applan]

22. Rushbo?

[KharmaTrain]

23. Yep...

...what he used to like to call himself...now, not so much...

http://www.soslang.com/term/el-rushbo

2. El Rushbo 49 76

Conservative synonym for a fat sack of crap.

Dick: Did you listen to El Rushbo today?
Joe: I always listen to your shits, Dick. It's a big fucking deal.

#3 I dare not put up...but it is hillarious...