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July 6, 2007 at 18:25:02

DC Deserves a Variety of Progressive Talk

by Amy Fried Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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The Greater Washington, DC area is perhaps unique, in its concentration of highly educated and politically savvy actual and potential radio listeners. Obviously, we also have our share of liberals. After all, John Kerry got 90% of the DC vote in 2004. It’s very disappointing, therefore, that our only choice for progressive talk radio, is a station that splits itself between live Jones Radio Network shows, delayed and abbreviated Air America shows, sports, infomercials, and business shows. Why is this great market being so underserved?

It seems that here, in our nation’s capital, of all places - with D.C. and Montgomery County being particularly strong pockets of Democrats - would be a place where we could hear all the Air America shows, and all the Jones Radio network shows, with sports, etc., going elsewhere.

As is stands now, few Air America shows are played live and in their entirety here (one notable exception is Ring of Fire.) Randi Rhodes, Thom Hartmann, and Rachel Maddow are not played in their entirety on a regular basis. These radio personalities are not just talented and entertaining; they all raise the level of political debate, because they all do extensive research. (I personally find Ed Schultz to be lacking in that department.)

Now, Think Progress reports that an FM talk radio station in DC has dropped Bill O’Reilly’s radio show from its line-up. Unfortunately, they are planning to replace it with sports. As the Think Progress article points out, conservative talk shows are doing miserably in the greater Washington area according to the Washington Post, yet they still persist here.

The Post article points to signal strength and lead-in shows as part of the explanation. But the seemingly irrational strategy of persisting with conservative talk, reminds me of the story Thom Hartmann often tells on his radio show. According to Hartmann, contrary to popular belief, the resurrection of the Phil Donahue Show on MSNBC, was extremely highly rated. However, as is often true with the corporate media, GE, owner of NBC, had more to gain from the defense contracts made possible by the Iraq War, than from the anti-war Donahue show.

If the DC progressive radio station is eschewing Air America out of concern for ratings, it doesn’t seem to be working. Ironically, however, part of the “problem” seems to be the unique character of the DC market:

“Chris Berry, president and general manager of WMAL, says there's nothing particularly unusual about Washington and political talk radio, except that ‘people in D.C. are smarter’ than talk audiences in other towns. ‘In Boston, Chicago, even L.A., it's more emotional,’ he says. ‘In D.C., people really do know the issues.’"

This is a problem? In other words, the DC market presents a unique opportunity for a rich exchange of ideas, in the context of a deeper discussion of the issues. What better argument for a variety of progressive talk?

http://neoconmind.blogspot.com

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7 comments

Bob Kincaid is a founder and host on the Head-On Radio Network ("The H.O.R.N.), America's Liberal Voice. "Head-On With Bob Kincaid" can be heard every weeknight from 6 to 9 p.m., Eastern at www.headonradionetwork.com Archives are available at www.whiteroseociety.org
Bob KincaidBob Kincaid is a founder and host on the Head-On Radio Network ("The H.O.R.N.), America's Liberal Voice. "Head-On With Bob Kincaid" can be heard every weeknight from 6 to 9 p.m., Eastern at www.headonradionetwork.com Archives are available at www.whiteroseociety.org

There is no "variety" on terrestrial radio for a good reason

The owners of D.C. area radio stations don't want you to have any variety. It's that simple.

The ownership of the radio spectrum is as much driven by ideology as by any desire to sell advertising. That corporate ownership is certainly not driven by any impetus for "balance" or "fairness" or "variety." Neither is it interested in giving you a "choice." The very theory underlying right-wing talk is the elimination of "choice."

You've only got one shot at "variety," and it isn't on your radio dial.

The single best progressive, liberal talk host in the D.C. area isn't on the radio. He's on your computer.

Mark Levine's "Radio Inside Scoop" airs from D.C. weekdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Eastern Time on The Head-On Radio Network ("The H.O.R.N."), America's Liberal Voice. All H.O.R.N. programming is available free on a live stream both at www.headonradionetwork.com and at iTunes Radio (Talk/Spoken Word). Free podcasts and archives are available at www.whiterosesociety.org

Mark is a highly educated lawyer who maintains impeccable ties to the liberal, progressive Democratic community on the Hill. His analysis is incisive and insightful. He welcomes callers from the entire political spectrum and frequently deconstructs Republican spin-generators on his show.

I suggest you give Mark a listen. I'm pretty sure you'll be glad you did. The terrestrial radio spectrum is poisoned and isn't likely to get any better any time soon. Meanwhile, in the "free speech zone" of the internet, you have a chance to make your voice heard and to start making a difference.

Moreover, if you listen to Mark and like what you hear, help us spread the word. Do you really need your radio shows to be polluted with ads for patent baldness cures, herbal erection remedies, swedish mattresses and vacuum cleaners that pick up bowling balls? If not, Mark's the guy you've been wanting to hear!

Spend a little time with him, and you may just realize that there's a "whole 'nother" liberal radio network out there that actually cares what you think and wants to hear from you.

Get on The H.O.R.N.!

by Bob Kincaid (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 43 comments) on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 10:02:13 AM

Editor of Common Sense Political Thought, mostly Republican (but not always), mostly conservative (but again, not always), always interesting.
Dana PicoEditor of Common Sense Political Thought, mostly Republican (but not always), mostly conservative (but again, not always), always interesting.

Response to article

Economics 101-H: If our friends on the left believe that there is an audience for liberal talk radio, then they should invest in it!

by Dana Pico (7 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 164 comments) on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 10:22:39 AM

The author received her Ph.D. in the field of Organizational Behavior, which she now applies to her political writing. She's been an advocate for church-state separation and other civil liberties issues. She writes on the neoconservative mind, women's issues, media, veganism and the Religious Right.
Amy FriedThe author received her Ph.D. in the field of Organizational Behavior, which she now applies to her political writing. She's been an advocate for church-state separation and other civil liberties issues. She writes on the neoconservative mind, women's issues, media, veganism and the Religious Right.

The Problem w/Econ 101

The problem w/Econ 101, is that - as the Phil Donahue example shows - in today's corporate-dominated world, w/politicians beholden to their benfactors, and corporations squandering tax money, taking jobs overseas & going overseas themselves to avoid paying taxes, all the assumptions of Economics go out the window.

by Amy Fried (40 articles, 113 quicklinks, 64 diaries, 213 comments) on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 10:34:36 AM

Oh, there's an audience, alright!

There's no getting around the fact that, given a level playing field, progressive talk succeeds. BigEddie (not in my top 10 talents among progressive talkers) easily romps his "CONservative" competition on a regular basis. On the other hand, Limbaugh, the OxyMoron on a 50,000 watt blowtorch tends to drown out a progressive on a 500 watt flickering candle flame.

Hmmmmmm! Wonder who owns those blowtorches? Could it be a gang of right-wing idelologues who are heavily invested (both financially and ideologically) in the sucess of the OxyMoron and the SavageWeiner, the FalafelBoy and the Life Support System for a HairDo?

Why yes! Yes, it could!

Meanwhile, we at The Head-On Radio Network ("The H.O.R.N."), America's Liberal Voice, welcome liberal/progressive investors!

http://www.headonradionetwork.com

by Bob Kincaid (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 43 comments) on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 1:20:42 PM

Mark Levine is host of the radio/television/internet/XM satellite talk show, "The Inside Scoop." A former Congressional attorney, working for a high-ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee and Homeland Security Committee, Mark delivers "All the News the Government Does Not Want You to Know", giving you the "inside scoop" on how Washington really works. A Fulbright Scholar, Mark holds an economics degree magna cum laude from Harva...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Mark LevineMark Levine is host of the radio/television/internet/XM satellite talk show, "The Inside Scoop." A former Congressional attorney, working for a high-ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee and Homeland Security Committee, Mark delivers "All the News the Government Does Not Want You to Know", giving you the "inside scoop" on how Washington really works. A Fulbright Scholar, Mark holds an economics degree magna cum laude from Harva...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Have you checked out my show?

I've been on the air reporting from Washington since June 2003, in other words more than a year before Air America even existed. Chris Berry has told me I have an excellent show, but he can't put liberals on the air. I thought you might want to check me out. RadioInsideScoop.com

Mark Levine

(I do local TV too on public access. WJLA is hiring a talk show now but has given me the run around for 6 months. Perhaps they refuse to even consider hiring someone like me who admits to being a Democrat. I'm sure they'll tell me soon the position is filled.)

by Mark Levine (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments) on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 10:38:43 AM

Reply to Mark Levine

I've seen it on the iTunes list, but haven 't heard it yet. Yeah, it may be true that the internet is our best option, but there are times when you don't have a choice, like when you're in the car....

by Amy Fried (40 articles, 113 quicklinks, 64 diaries, 213 comments) on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 10:41:47 AM

Lots of cool technology

is out there for playing iPods and the like over the FM radio in your car. Pretty easy to comprehend. We even have listeners to The H.O.R.N. who listen via mobile broadband in their automobiles.

Leaving terrestrial radio is the single best way for us to "push back" against a dying medium and hasten its demise.

http://www.headonradionetwork.com

iTunes Radio (Talk/Spoken Word)

by Bob Kincaid (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 43 comments) on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 11:11:16 AM