Boston Rallies Behind Progressive Talk

Madison's success is inspiring similar listener actions in other cities where Clear Channel has flipped progressive talk stations or threatened to do same. Here we go in Boston. Boston Herald:

Defenders of liberal talk fight to keep it on airwaves

By Jesse Noyes
Boston Herald Business Reporter
Saturday, December 30, 2006 - Updated: 02:10 PM EST

A newly formed local group is planning to fight a decision by radio broadcaster Clear Channel to drop liberal talk from Boston’s airwaves.

“I think it’s absurd and defies reason to think that progressive talk wouldn’t work in the market,” said Robin Bergman, who is heading up a group called Save Boston Progressive Talk. Bergman’s group plans to petition Clear Channel to put the liberal talk format back on WKOX-AM (1200) and WXKS-AM (1430).

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But the local protest group might have a tough time persuading Clear Channel to bend. The syndicated progressive talk shows posted low ratings, though many blamed that on a weak signal. WKOX is planning to boost its power to 50,000 watts next year.

Donna Halper, a local radio consultant and a member of the new group, said she’s convinced there’s a place for liberal radio in Boston. “Just as a fan I think it can work,” she said.

Halper is right, but as we have found out, it will probably take this level of listener involvement, and probably a different formula for growing the format than just hoping the rapidly privatizing Clear Channel has a few extra 0.3 stations it thinks it can turn into a 1.2 station in 2 books without a heavy promotion and ad selling commitment.