How to expand talk radio's audience
From all reports, there were some interesting, lively and sharp debates on Charlie Sykes' annual "Insight" show on Wednesday, featuring a lineup of prominent guests who duked it out on everything from prison policy to ethanol to school choice.
Isn't it a shame that only happens once a year?
Think of how interesting it might be to hear both sides every day. Might even be good for ratings. Imagine if there were that kind of free-wheeling give and take on the air all of the time.
What am I saying? How silly of me.
No one wants to hear the other side, do they?
And WTMJ radio no doubt has the market research to support its decision to broadcast one-sided radio 364 days a year, where Sykes talks only to his producer or screened callers who agree with him.
But I'll bet there was a much bigger audience than usual on Wednesday. If this is really all about ratings, a regular back-and-forth could expand the audience.
That's my gratuituous advice for the day.
posted by xoff @ 7:59 AM
12 comments
12 Comments:
Does that mean that you will start allowing opposing opinions to post on your blog? It might drive higher readership.
"....this is the smallest record player in the world, playing "My Heart Pumps Purple Piss for Youuuuuuu...."
Sucks to lose the hegemony, eh?
Unlike Sykes, I welcome opposing viewpoints. The two of you above are evidence of that.
I'm sure once the newspapers and television stations start to give a voice to both sides I'm sure charlie will.
C.R., you continue to be the funniest person to comment on this blog. Charlie's just giving a voice to all those disenfranchised conservatives absent from the evil "MSM"? Thanks for the chuckle!
Mr. Christofferson,
With all due respect, you are in error. I've been listening to Sykes for a number of years. He does take calls from people who disagree with him. I know this, as I have disagreed with him from time to time, and my calls were taken. Conversely, when I called Air America as well as a few other "liberal" talk shows to disagree, I was insulted and called names by the host. Not exactly condusive to continued listening. If you called Charlie, he'd take the call and put you on the air. Give it a try sometime.
CR, quit with the liberal media BS...that mantra is so played. My god, you Republicans are a bunch of whiners...
Sykes has taken my call a couple of times when it has been pre-arranged, but I have never been able to get through the screen when I call like a regular listener.
In those infamous words Bill, you nailed it! I think Charlie perfectly fits the defintion of a demagogue...
To wit, in the past weeks run up to the Mequon school referendum all we heard, at some length, was about the supporters audacity to schedule the election in February, when no one votes, because that would be to their advantage, to target recent grads to vote for their position, and how a yes vote just keeps 'feeding the money beast, so the teachers can continue to make an outlandish salary and expand their Fantastic health plan. I listened everyday for one supporter to be on the show, because I knew, I couldn't be the only one...yet no one was on! The Board President offered to come on... to explain the last time a referendum was held in February it failed, (as did this one)...and that the referendum that did pass was voted on in June...he clearly offered to explain the myriad of reasons for the timing of the vote. He offered to present the detailed reasons for the referendum, all of which were part of his email to Charlie...to explain the school closing here, and other money saving measures taken...to explain the Board cannot unilaterally change the teacher's health plan...that the Board acheived a contact below QEO law, and when these things go to arbitration, the arbitraitors have been tradtional union sympathizers and on and on...he presented a quite good, comprehensive, cogent and articulate explanation. It was completely ignored. So was I. Unfortunately, I think alot of Sykes listeners use him as a 'news source.' Not much different than Pravda, before perestroika.
There have been a few times where the screener didn't think my point worthy enough. I just can't see him ignoring you. Considering your political bent, who you've worked for in the past, etc. That being said, I think all radio hosts that I've listened to develope the same attitude. It's the It's my show syndrome. Some handle this pretty well, as I think Sykes does for the most part. Others get arrogant. This happens on both sides of the debate. That's why it's nice to have the amount of choice that's out there. I can turn the dial.
Charlie Sykes will never agree to a meaningful policy debate unless he is guaranteed the right to last rebuttal. That means he always gets the last word and can repeat it ad nauseum. His ego demands it and his radio show is structured to make him look smart no matter how dumb his positions may be. Most well-educated Bubbas know when not to stand in front of a conservative talk show guy when he carries "the biggest stick in the state" and can silence his opposition by not giving them the right to speak. Some debater.
bubbabob, the one thing to keep in mind, his show is about HIS opinions. Most talk shows are about the host. I can't listen to Belling as he loves to hear himself talk. It gets annoying. I can't listen to Hannity because he's too repetitive. I can't listen to Franken because he's an a-hole. I always keep that in mind. I listen to Sykes more often than not. That being said, I also turn the dial from time to time. Sometimes, it's too much.
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