ChasingBlueSky 0 #1 January 17, 2004 Found this in the Chicago Sun-Times. Liberal talk network lands Chicago outlet January 14, 2004 BY ROBERT FEDER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST Progress Media, the fledgling radio network conceived as a liberal antidote to conservative talk formats, has identified a Chicago station as it first broadcast outlet. WNTD-AM (950), a Spanish-language station that is in the process of being sold by Radio Unica Communications to Multicultural Radio Broadcasting, will carry the new talk radio network, under terms of a local marketing agreement announced Tuesday. Progress Media has an option to buy WNTD once Multicultural Radio Broadcasting officially closes on its deal, sources said. "It is an extremely significant event for Progress Media to have clearance in the third-largest media market in the country," said Jon Sinton, president of the network. "Combined with other markets we are close to finalizing, Progress Media will have tremendous reach right out of the box." The network also announced that it has signed comedian and author Al Franken to host a three-hour weekday talk show, and signed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mike Papantonio to host a show about "the inner workings of corporations and how they influence our daily lives." Martin Kaplan, associate dean of the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communications, will host a talk show about the news media. Franken, who has established himself as one of the country's leading conservative-bashers, said: "My first priority is to get sued by a right-wing jerk in order to generate interest in my new show, 'The O'Franken Factor.' Our hope is to do drug-free talk radio, although I understand it's never been done. "Quite simply, my plan is to alter the political landscape, drive this radical right-wing president from office and stand as a beacon for ordinary Americans who work hard and play by the rules. Short of that, I'd just like to get on in Albany," he said. No date has been set for the launch of the network, which recently was acquired from North Shore venture capitalists Sheldon and Anita Droby by an investment group headed by Mark Walsh, a former America Online executive and an adviser to the Democratic National Committee. Programming will be headed by Dave Logan, a former program director of WLUP-FM (97.9). He most recently was vice president of program operations at XM Satellite Radio._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 0 #2 January 17, 2004 Run and hide. Be afraid..... Be very afraid! Anti-PC, Anti-Liberal, Anti-Big Government/Big Brother, Anti-Drug, Anti-criminal, Anti-Bleeding Hearts, Anti-...................... This guy's screeners will not let me thru ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414 Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #3 January 17, 2004 Franken is gonna flop over hard. He writes one book, isn't all that funny, and now he thinks he can muddle a three-hour daily political discussion routine? He's going to go through his entire repetoir of jokes in the first 30 minutes and then it's going to bomb. Who's he supposed to go up against? Hannity? Limbaugh? buwwaaahaahaahaa!!! RIP Franken you loser.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #4 January 17, 2004 QuoteFranken is gonna flop over hard. He writes one book, isn't all that funny, and now he thinks he can muddle a three-hour daily political discussion routine? He's going to go through his entire repetoir of jokes in the first 30 minutes and then it's going to bomb. Who's he supposed to go up against? Hannity? Limbaugh? buwwaaahaahaahaa!!! RIP Franken you loser. He won't need to use his routine - that isn't what talk-radio is about. The idea is to use his name to draw in listeners, and the idea of "liberal talk." I can tell you first hand - it is easier to fill a three hour talk show than you think - I know because I did it, which means anyone can do it. Hell, I watched Danny Bonaduce go from a has-been into a talk-show star. Think about this - you have 4 commercial breaks an hour, the news twice an hour,plus leave space for the affiliates to do local news, weather and traffic. That leaves about 42-46 minuetes an hour, spread out over 4 segements. Take one topic per "hour" come up with 4 subtopics and repeat process for the next two hours. Don't forget, according to your TSLs (time spent listening), most people don't listen more than 15 minutes - the things you talk about at the start of the hour can be recapped at the end of every hour, and you can recap hour 1 in hour 2, etc....Say one thing you know will piss off your audience to get at least two good calls - one that will agree and the other that will disagree with you. Guess what, you just filled up your shift. Now, add in tangents, pop-culture news stories, stories of the dumb, breaking news events, guests, games, contests, giveaways, etc...and you have no more time to talk on your show. I followed this pattern for a show I produced from 11p-3a and took the ratings from 0.1 to 2.2 (better ratings than our lead in) in one book with no advertising or budget and a no name talent. Honestly, there hasn't been anything new and exciting on radio in years - and there isn't anything like a typical "radio war" to get you new listeners. Stern did a favor for every morning show he went after in a market - he actually raised their ratings by refering to them. If O'Reilly, Rush, etc even talk about Franken and they will only be giving him free advertisments. It is win-win for the Franken show_________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boudy 0 #5 January 17, 2004 Being a news-junky sort, I'd love to see more talk radio variety & independent radio stations in Chicago. My "old" favorite for years, WLS, has tilted so far to the hard-core right that I don't tune it in except during some local time slots that aren't committed to the "ditto"agenda. Roe & Garry provide humor & centrist perspectives. Tony Brown is a conservative, black, independent researcher & writer with a unique well-thought & articulated perspective. Jay Marvin is totally radical & independent - interesting, outspoken & sincere. Milt Rosenburg on WGN is another breath of fresh air(intellectual, cultured, analytical, conservative, covers a variety of topics). Other than that & NPR you got Rush, Rush sound-a-likes & Rush wannabes just about every where. Franken is entertaining enough to hold an audience. And IF he doesn't allow his show to become characterized as a format for personal attacks, unsubstaniated accusations & irresponsible insinuations, he may even establish credibility & some interest over time among the unliberal, unconservative, independent- thinking types (the new silent majority?). But, look at this thread - 4 hours after you posted this is only the 4th response: 2 bashed Franken, I'm luke warm & you responded to a Franken-bashing. Gonna have an up hill climb I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunaplanet 0 #6 January 17, 2004 Anyone remember Bob Lassiter? I used to love him. He has been all over, mainly in Florida and Chicago. Last I read in the NY Times he was retired. I loved his show here in Tampa Bay. Forty-two Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FliegendeWolf 0 #7 January 17, 2004 QuoteFranken is gonna flop over hard. He writes one book, isn't all that funny, and now he thinks he can muddle a three-hour daily political discussion routine? He's going to go through his entire repetoir of jokes in the first 30 minutes and then it's going to bomb. Who's he supposed to go up against? Hannity? Limbaugh? buwwaaahaahaahaa!!! RIP Franken you loser. Heh heh...can I quote you on that? A One that Isn't Cold is Scarcely a One at All Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiverRick 0 #8 January 17, 2004 Seems like 3 hours of hate speach everyday. More fodder for the serious talk shows. never pull low......unless you are Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiverRick 0 #9 January 17, 2004 QuoteFranken is gonna flop over hard. He writes one book, isn't all that funny, and now he thinks he can muddle a three-hour daily political discussion routine? He's going to go through his entire repetoir of jokes in the first 30 minutes and then it's going to bomb. Who's he supposed to go up against? Hannity? Limbaugh? buwwaaahaahaahaa!!! RIP Franken you loser. They can get Gore on now and then. We all know what a crack-up he is. never pull low......unless you are Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AirCav 0 #10 January 17, 2004 I agree Rick, I've never thought Franken was funny but GORE....Every time I seem him he has me on the floor laughing.......he is hystericalGW685,D3888,C5052,SCS843 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydyvr 0 #11 January 17, 2004 QuoteFranken is gonna flop over hard. It matters little who the host is; un-subsidized liberal talk radio generally has limited success due to the lack of a substantial audience. . . =(_8^(1) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benny 0 #12 January 17, 2004 QuoteFranken is gonna flop over hard. He writes one book, isn't all that funny, and now he thinks he can muddle a three-hour daily political discussion routine? He's going to go through his entire repetoir of jokes in the first 30 minutes and then it's going to bomb. Who's he supposed to go up against? Hannity? Limbaugh? buwwaaahaahaahaa!!! RIP Franken you loser. Hmm, makes me wonder if you even read anything out of Franken's one (five) books... Never go to a DZ strip show. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
