Okay, I'd actually forgotten about the effort by Gloria Steinem, Rosie O'Donnell, Jane Fonda and their friends to challenge conservatives in the talk radio wars. But GreenStone Media, which counted Steinem, O'Donnell, Fonda and other notable libs as investors, launched its feminist network (with some fanfare) last year.
Now, Brian Maloney at the Radio Equalizer reports that GreenStone is about to join Air America on the ash heap of failed liberal talk efforts. On Monday, trade publications indicated that GreenStone will soon fold, after failing to attract affiliates (and listeners) for its "lifestyle-oriented" programs. As with Air America, there was an exodus of top executives from GreenStone as it burned through more than $3 million in start-up funding.
As Mr. Maloney observes, the feminist talk network failed for the same reasons as Air America. Not only did GreenStone greatly over-estimate the "demand" for its programming, it also hired hosts with virtually no radio experience, women who had nothing in common with their audience.
Having slaved over a hot microphone for more than a few years, we always like to remind prospective hosts that radio isn't as easy as it looks (or sounds). Forget about political views; simply communicating information clearly, against the demands of timing and format, is very tough work. Relatively few broadcasters can do it with style and flair; only a handful--including El Rushbo, Sean Hannity and Neal Bootz--make it genuinely compelling.
So here's a little advice for other libs who want to take the radio plunge: before you hit the airwaves, try to put real broadcasters in the executive suite, and behind the microphone. A recent runner-up from Last Comic Standing is bound to flop as a host, and that former late-night TV talk show producer is out of his element with a radio show.
But that reality seems lost on liberals who want to re-invent talk radio in their own image. As long as they can round-up some venture capital, hire clueless stand-up comics as hosts, and foist their "product" on a handful desperate stations--the leftist foray into talk radio will continue, and continue to fail, miserably.
2 comments:
I've recently started listening to Michael Savage on the drive home from work. Some say he's too rowdy & in-your-face, but I feel that he makes some excellent points and brings serious issues to light. But what I really like about him is his ability to offer intelligent solutions to those issues - imagine that!
Every now and then, I turn the dial down to the local liberal station. They can't go 5 minutes without making an incoherent statement or personally attacking someone, usually the President (p.s. When did it become fashionable to call the President of the United States just "Bush"). There's very seldom any rational thought, constructive criticism, or proposed solutions to problems.
Anyway, that's my two cents...
Every dollar these 'venture' socialists spend on Lib Talk is a dollar not spent harping and haranguing the adult leaders or our country.
Imagine that $3 million in sunken costs instead being used in a Congressional election.
Soros, et. al. have burned through tens of millions to entertain 5% of our population. Fun to watch.
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