Right-Wing Talk Radio Is Back!

By Randy LoBasso
Add Comment Add Comment | Comments: 4 | Posted Aug. 22, 2012

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After failing and then basically being kicked out of the Philadelphia radio market, national conservative political talk is back in Philly. Entertainers including Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh (and Larry Mendte, too) quietly debuted on 106.9 FM, the former home of rapture-happy Harold Camping, in April. The station was recently bought by former Chicago Tribune owner Randy Michaels’ Merlin Media, which has rebranded it “IQ 106.9: Fighting for Freedom from the Fortress of Free Speech.”


Why here? Why now? One need look no further than President Obama—OBAMA 1260, that is: a former progressive radio talk station in Washington, D.C., which thrived during the 2008 campaign season, then crashed and burned, changing its format a mere two weeks after the president’s inauguration—having proved that the short-term ratings bump was well worth it in ad dollars. Which means that now, with a Democratic incumbent, conservative radio is a surefire way to make money. That the talent Michaels recruited for the station has failed in Philly before is of no consequence—you’d be a fool to not realize that as the horse race heats up between Obama and Romney, partisan rhetoric and media coverage will, too. What happens after Jan. 20, 2013, though, is anyone’s guess.

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Comments 1 - 4 of 4
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1. Pa nurse said... on Aug 23, 2012 at 10:01AM

“It's about time !!”

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2. tic tac toe said... on Aug 23, 2012 at 11:26AM

“Really...what about NPR? what about ABC NBC CBS MSNBC CNBC ? How abouth the print media ...this rag is liberal toilet paper...I bet you read the NY Times...”

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3. Anonymous said... on Aug 23, 2012 at 08:41PM

“Philadelphia - Home of Inky witch is so far left it doesn't really make any sense. Conservative Talk Radio - Smirconish? This has got to be a joke. Well at least the market leaders are back and on FM which I generally recieve better than AM. Progressivism is a total loser. Time for a major course correction.
Romney Ryan 2012. The vote for some sanity. Smith 2012 a real patriots and a real American dream guy against Junior. Time for a change
Smith 2012 for sanity.”

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4. MK said... on Nov 6, 2012 at 05:40PM

“I just moved to PA and let me tell you I read the article that Michael Smirconish wrote this past weekend in the liberal Inquirer he is is so left that when friends said he actually touts leaning to right I had to laugh. I am glad to find this station to make sure that I get the news right.”

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