The House Limbaugh Built And May Have Burned Down
Premiere Networks, which distributes Limbaugh as well as a host of other right-wing talkers, sent an email out to its affiliates early Friday listing 98 large corporations that have requested their ads appear only on “programs free of content that you know are deemed to be offensive or controversial (for example, Mark Levin, Rush Limbaugh, Tom Leykis, Michael Savage, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity).” [emphasis mine]
This is big. According to the radio-industry website Radio-Info.com, which first posted excerpts of the Premiere memo, among the 98 companies that have decided to no longer sponsor these programs are “carmakers (Ford, GM, Toyota), insurance companies (Allstate, Geico, Prudential, State Farm), and restaurants (McDonald’s, Subway).” Together, these talk-radio advertising staples represent millions of dollars in revenue.
This has moved beyond Rush.
But this latest controversy comes at a particularly difficult time for right-wing talk radio. They are playing to a (sometimes literally) dying demographic. Rush & Co. rate best among old, white males. They have been steadily losing women and young listeners, who are alienated by the angry, negative, obsessive approach to political conservations. Add to that the fact that women ages 24–55 are the prize advertising demographic, and you have a perfect storm emerging after Limbaugh’s Sandra Fluke comments.
What we see happening to Rush is exactly the problem facing the Republican Party. So far, both Rush and the GOP are basing their futures on a dying demographic: Old, white males.
It’s a troubling realization that there is a large group who’s minds will never change… we just have to hope the population who thinks like that shrinks beyond influence.
Anyway, i hope Limbaugh lives to see the day when the only gig he can get is public access in some back water.
You hope Limbaugh lives another two years?
Thank goodness the backlash is finally here. I’m glad everyone’s paying attention now but the crazies that got into office in 2010 can still do a lot of damage in the meantime.
It seemed like the other shoe would never drop.
@sb “It’s a troubling realization that there is a large group who’s minds will never change…”
Time wounds all heels.
“the crazies that got into office in 2010 can still do a lot of damage in the meantime.”
Not without the acquiescence of Democrats.
“bipartisanship today, bipartisanship tomorrow, bipartisanship forever!” – Rep John Carney.
I know I don’t agree with most people on this site very much. But I am glad that these advertisers are at some level going to affect Rush, and possibly some of the others. However, I have a little different take on it than most folks. Most people will agree that the main stream media is liberal biassed. But I don’t agree that to fight that extreme, us moderates or conservatives should be conservative biased. That is like continuing to offer reverse descrimination, becasue in the past, the country has descriminated. The best solution is to not be biased at all. The old saying, “walk a mile in the other mans shoes”. In business, as well as in politics, that is what I have tried to do as I have gotten older and more mature. The best way to get to the best possible solution for all parties involved, usually is not the “I’m right, and there wrong” approach, but a more humane approach of trying to understand both sides arguments. Unfortunately the MSM, just is not very good at this in either directions. Thank God for the information technologies. Now, I no longer have to take Bill O’reileys, or Wolf Blitzers word on what a particular party said. I can look it up on the internet, and see for myself, and then make my own judgement. So not only are these advertisers affecting the dropping listnership of these shows, but also the fact that there are many other, much more reliable places (like the internet) to get our information from
@Rd “I know I don’t agree with most people on this site very much….”
Thank you for trying to make a serious post instead of the usual inanities. I will try to reciprocate.
“Most people will agree that the main stream media is liberal biassed.”
I think this is doubly false. The media is not liberal biased, nor do most people believe that. The media is dominated by large corporations with their own interests at heart. Those interest do NOT align with the liberal agenda. People understand this. Sure some of the pundits are highly educated (liberalism==educated — those taught to think independently reject dogma).
“The best solution is to not be biased at all.”
Wonderful, but it certainly doesn’t sound very conservative. Modern conservativism in America is based on social conformation, and corporate libertarianism. Your standing in a VERY biased place. Do you understand the concept of faith? Do you realize that faith == bias… the rejection of reason at the outset?
The bottom line is that what you perceive as reasonable and unbiased are seem by others in a very different light.
“Unfortunately the MSM, just is not very good at this in either directions.”
Yes… because there’s no profit in that. It pays to excite your viewers regardless of their political disposition. This is where there is true bias in the MSM.
“I can look it up on the internet, and see for myself, and then make my own judgement.”
You’re fooling yourself. There are a couple things wrong with this viewpoint…
“Most people (who watch fox news or listen to am talk radio, which has an admitted conservative bias) will agree that the main stream media is liberal biassed”
“much more reliable places (like the internet!) to get our information from”
Rusty, you are my favorite comedian on the planet. keep it up, man!
haha, like the internet.
It occurs to me that over the years, Rush’s biggest role by far is to be the enforcement arm for the Norquist pledge. Whenever a Republican soldier started to step out of line, Rush had the ability to rally the troops for a swarm of phone calls even before the offending bill got out of committee. If I am right, the Norquist pledge will not last if Rush goes.