Where would the money come from?
This is not the time to start any new format in a dying industry. It's reached the point where it's almost impossible for stations to hold an audience, let alone attract and build one.
Major advertisers already avoid right-wing talk. Even if radio were still an effective advertising medium, it's hard to see them embracing another source of controversy. And it's hard to see progressives responding to the kind of "bottom-feeder" ads which keep right-wing talk going.
Might see some progressive talk podcasts starting up from the major podcast distributors.
OTA talk at least has the potential of changing minds.
Huh? It's preaching to the converted. Admittedly.
And how would the reach of a podcast in any given market compare to the cume of even a "dying" over-the-air talk radio station? Podcasts preach to the choir. OTA talk at least has the potential of changing minds.
I agree. The reason that seemed to resonate with me on the difference between the right leaning and left learning sides was that it was easier to reach consensus among the right leaning than left leaning.
Right-wing talk radio only preaches to the choir, too.
This is not the time to start any new format in a dying industry. It's reached the point where it's almost impossible for stations to hold an audience, let alone attract and build one.
Major advertisers already avoid right-wing talk.
Even if radio were still an effective advertising medium, it's hard to see them embracing another source of controversy.
And it's hard to see progressives responding to the kind of "bottom-feeder" ads which keep right-wing talk going.
Might see some progressive talk podcasts starting up from the major podcast distributors.
Why would now present any better of an environment that during the GW Bush administration? It was tried then, with lots of capital on the form of Air America. NPR already fills this niche. There is neither room nor demand for another player. Perhaps a single show could emerge if the right talent and circumstances converge, but you already have the aforementioned NPR (spare me the contention that they aren't liberal talk), Allan Colmes, Thom Hartmann and Stephanie Miller on the air. Frankly, this isn't an underserved market, there apparently aren't many more listeners than these programs already handle.
you already have the aforementioned NPR (spare me the contention that they aren't liberal talk),
Bill Maher doesn't fuel anger and bigotry?A close election - and consistent political research results - indicate the number of right-wing and progressive "listeners" is about the same - or more accurately, potential listeners. The kind of demagoguery and hate speech that forms the basis of right-wing talk, just won't work with progressives. Progressives respond to appeals to their "better angels," not to anger and bigotry.
There have been successful local progressive talk shows until management purged them from their schedules. The fact is corporate owners and local management did not want progressive talk to work. Except for a few token efforts to stave off regulation and reintroduction of the Fairness Doctrine, corporate radio did it's worst to eliminate progressive talk
And nobody has found a talk radio format that appeals to progressives. Air America Radio tried doing Rush-style talk but with progressive viewpoints. It didn't work.
Yep, "like herding cats" is the cliche often used to describe getting Democrats to march in lockstep on anything including the time of day, and it's true more often than not.