An Election Night Facebook posting by Clear Channel VP Talk Radio Darryl Parks – “This is directed to my associates in talk radio. Life as you know it changed tonight. If you continue with the shrill act and constantly talk politics, focusing on an ever shrinking ultra partisan audience, choosing to exclude instead of include, your future in the medium is bleak.”
That's Clear Channel's CEO. Clear Channel. Let that sink in for a moment. Also, in case you didn't know it, Bain Capital essentially owns them now.
This talk radio consultant sounds a little more realistic. Yes, it's a problem. No, radio isn't smart enough to change...
Bill McMahon: "Talk radio is currently defined by its two primary formats - conservative politics and sports. Talk radio's audience is limited (surprise, surprise): it's primarily men. The real question about the future of traditional broadcast talk radio is, will the industry expand the definition and appeal of talk radio by developing new formats of interest to more and different segments of the current and potential audience for broadcast radio - like women, and younger men who aren't interested in sports talk radio? I think not. I don't see much appetite for innovation in the traditional broadcast radio industry."
I think he's right. Talk radio is basically giving up on the under-40 crowd. They're just going to ride this out until their audience dies. Amazing.
