Unlike Franken, Hartmann's in radio for the long haul. "I love talk radio. I don't want to be on TV. I don't want to run for public office. I don't want to be a movie star. I write books and I do talk radio and that's enough for me," he said in an interview.
As for the future of liberal talk, Hartmann sounds optimistic. ""There is at least as much demand for liberal talk radio as there is for conservative talk, maybe even more," he said. "For years, program directors just bought the story that was told to them, that all the liberals were listening to NPR. We have busted open a mythology. There are a lot of stations carrying this format and doing well with it."
Is he concerned about recent reports about advertisers shunning the format? Hartmann says no. On last year's leaked ABC Radio Network's 'blackout' memo, which listed roughly a hundred companies that did not want their commercials airing on affiliated stations during Air America programming, he countered, "There's a similar list for Rush Limbaugh - companies that don't want to get tied up in politics. The fact of the matter is my advertisers, from Purina to Sacred Grounds Coffee to the Organic Wine Company get great results, which is why I refer to my program as listener supported radio. It's supported by my listeners supporting my sponsors.
Hartmann's show is currently airing on Air America's secondary syndication feed, and will officially be a part of the main lineup starting Monday, February 19th. His show has been picked up by affiliates in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, Miami and other places. Many affiliates are airing his show currently.
Labels: Air America Radio, Thom Hartmann
Originally published on LTR (Liberal Talk Radio)
1 | 2
