Reply #42: Good Ratings = Bad News For Hate Radio

[KharmaTrain]

Notice the timing...the latest Arbitron ratings for the largest markets came out the other day and AAR is doing well in most markets and continuing to grow. Remember when Joey and O'Reilly and Hannity said this network wouldn't last? That was a year ago and now it's not only still around but hurting some Xtian radio and a threat to the rest of hate radio.

Yesterday I posted how well AAR was doing in markets where there's an affiliate for "The Patriot"...the ultra right wing hate network owned by Salem that features Ingraham, Savage, Medved, Hewitt and many other venom spewers. Salem owns most of these stations and their ratings are 1/2 or less than that of the comparable AAR affiliate.

Not only does this mean advertisers will split those critical dollars (which are real hard to come by these days) with AAR (mostly Clear Channel) stations and not with Salem. Ouch #1

With their large investment on AAR, Clear Channel is going after Salem through the backdoor. Clear Channel has its own hate network with Rushbo and Hannity and would love to see Salem fade away and back into putting on the "dollar-a-hollar" preachers this company used to make it's money from. They're putting a squeeze on Salem and it's being felt. Not a good thing for a big contributor to the Repugnicans...and the religious right's favorites in specific. Ouch #2

Advertising revenues continue to sink for most radio stations and the huge debts many stations have incured over the years (most through speculation from their greedy owners like Antzinger & Salem) are coming home to roost. Over-inflated property values are starting to take their toll as the large debts these companies took on to build these huge radio empires aren't meeting the bills. Debts are growing and revenues aren't. A competitor that can eat into those revenues even further (and the associated license property values) has to be eliminated.

It's a great thing to hear all this shit about Randi and AAR. As the old axiom goes, "say good, say bad, just say". Hopefully this story gets A LOT of play...it attracts people to hear what Rhodes or AAR is all about...especially sheeple who weren't aware of the network.

I strongly suggest DU members who live in cities where there's an AAR station to do one of two things. First, is to call or write a letter (the letter is perfered) to the stations' General Manager or Program Director and thank them for carrying the network. Make sure you mention your sex, age and area you live in...so they see they're reaching the audience they want to. The letter also goes into the FCC public inspection file should their licenses be challenged.

Next, visit a LOCAL advertiser for the station and thank them for supporting both the station and AAR. A purchase, if you can swing it, will be triple bonus points, since the advertiser can see direct response from their advertising dollars and see how it's paying off. This will do a lot to keep AAR on in your market and help push Progressive radio as well.

Cheers