Right Wing Talk Radio Losing Ground :

[Jon8503]

Long an outlet for the GOP message, talk radio undergoes a shift

By Steven Thomma, Knight Ridder Newspapers Thu Oct 6, 6:08 PM ET

WASHINGTON - When the White House wanted to talk to its political base about a Supreme Court nominee this week, there was no doubt where to go: talk radio.
Vice President Dick Cheney took the administration's case to the Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity programs, speaking simultaneously to the normally sympathetic hosts and their audiences of like-minded Republicans.

A decade after Republicans credited Limbaugh with helping them win control of Congress - they called him the Majority Maker - they still look to his conservative-dominated medium for a lopsided communications edge over Democrats. Today, they count on talk radio to rally support for
President Bush, attack those who criticize or question him, and stir passions leading into the 2006 midterm congressional elections.

There are signs that the Republicans could be losing some of their overwhelming edge, however. Ratings for Limbaugh and Hannity slipped this spring in some markets. Liberals such as Ed Schultz, Stephanie Miller and Al Franken are carving out their own radio niche. And Democrats argue that they have an edge on the Internet, where explosive growth could dwarf the political impact of radio.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/krwashbureau/20051006/ts_krwashbureau/_talkshows;_ylt=Ano0lxkiAYJojR1bmCX3NKas0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3ODdxdHBhBHNlYwM5NjQ-

[rpannier]

1. I live overseas and stream

I listen to Ed, Al, Stephanie and Randi everyday. I love all four of them - especially Stephanie Miller.

[bermudat]

2. I stream at work.

I listen to Stephanie Miller in the morning, then the podcast of Morning Sedition followed by Randi. I have Sirius (the only reason I got it was to listen to Airamerica radio, foolish me) and their radio left blows chunks, tho I am listening more to Ed Schultz. He's too DLC'ish for my tastes and sounds like Limpballs to me. Young Turks is godawful.

[Maat]

3. Eh .. I used to have Sirius.

2 years after I asked for the Sirius equipment for my birthday, this past month, I asked for XM equipment for my birthday:

http://www.abesofmaine.com/viewproduct.asp?id=dlsa1011311p1&l=CNET .

Have had the unit for about 1 month now, and I love it. It comes with the basic unit, the car kit, the home kit, and a jogging kit (take a look).

I'm happy again now. And XM may add a 2nd liberal channel (rumor has it that the 2nd one is in the works).

[AX10]

4. Sadly, Hitler Hannity still gets 13 million.

That's sad.

[gratuitous]

5. Some people are saying Rush's network is going bankrupt

At least, that's what I've heard. You know, like stations being paid to carry O'Reilly's radio program because they can't sell commercial time for it?

I don't know if it's actually true or not, but some people are saying it.

[murpheeslaw]

6. Here in Austin they have to BRIBE people to listen to Lush . . .

One of the local radio stations, KLBJ, is having a "Dollars for Ditto Heads" Contest. You register, and once an hour, while that vile person is on, they draw a name to receive $100.

Murpheeslaw