When it comes to ratings, Rush Limbaugh is not blowing smoke.
Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity seem to leave all the other talkers in the radio ratings dust. And although Limbaugh’s lead over Hannity appears slim at first glance, deeper analysis shows that Rush leaves Hannity in the dust, too.
Talkers Magazine says Limbaugh has “a minimum” of 14.75 million listeners who tune in at least once per week. Hannity comes in a close second with 13.75 million.
Limbaugh’s achievement is even more remarkable than it may seem because Hannity’s potential audience is much larger than Limbaugh’s.
Hannity airs 3 pm-6 pm EST. So his entire show airs in radio’s “primetime” in the East and portions of it air in “primetime” everywhere except the Pacific Coast.
Limbaugh’s program airs noon-three pm EST, a virtual dead zone for radio. One of the reasons for his success in syndication is that he brings his affiliates a highly-entertaining, highly-rated program that makes that makes it easy for them to sell advertising time in a daypart on which they used to lose money.
Here’s a complete list of the Top 10:
One other comment:
Ed Schultz has 2,500,000 listeners? OK, now we think the whole survey may be bogus.
Source: Talkers Magazine via LARadio.com
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I’m starting to feel old around here. I started listening to Rush over 20 years ago and even though my work kept my traveling a lot I usually found a station that aired his show.
The other greatest radio show host was Paul Harvey. I first heard his show in 1969 and became an instant fan. It was a sad day in AM radio history when he passed away.
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Loved his closing:
“Paul Harvey … (long pause) … “Good day.” (pronounced “guh-day”)
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With a high emphasis on “day”! I also liked the “Rest of the Story” thing he did. Great information and so usefull for us trivia buffs.
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Yes!
“The Rest of the Story” was almost mesmerizing at times. His voice was soothing and he could tell a story like no one else. When I’d drive and listen to The Rest of the Story, I’d have to pay close attention to my exit or I’d miss it.
It was a sad day indeed when he passed away, but I also feel sorry for a whole generation of kids/people who have never heard him.
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I don’t think Rush Limbaugh would trade places with Paul Harvey right now. Rush admired Paul and when Rush started, Paul was on top of the heap. Within a few short years, Rush was on top of the heap. As far as I know, Paul did stories, commentaries and commercials, quite different from hosting a three hour, radio talk show, five days a week. They were both good in their own unique way.
Controversial. What do you think?
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I watched the debate tonight. You heard it here first. A Romney-Bachmann ticket would and should win over Obama-Biden!
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You would’nt be talking about other “crapitalist operations like NBC-U, which have about 20 channels on my satellite tv lineup? Same for Viacom & Turner. Besides, NPR has how many stations nationally? You know, state controled media? Plus, tell me why NPR can broadcast to Americans when Voice Of America cannot. VOA is not allowed, by law, to broadcast to the homeland because it’s deemed to be propaganda. NPR ain’t too far behind, & it should’nt be getting tax dollars. Nor should it while working with DIRECTLY with groups like Propublica…
http://www.propublica.org/
…funded by the Sandler’s of NYC. They are as hypreractive politically as George Soros & & Peter Lewis of Progressive Insurance.
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Why is Howard Stern not on this list?
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Is Howard Stern back on terrestrial radio?
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So what did Rush say that has you turned against him? I havent listened to him for a while.
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There are far more reasonable and well-informed conservative voices out there.
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Rush lover, or someone who doesn’t think any conservatives are reasonable and well-informed? Or xenophobic alien hater?
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Ed Schultz has 2.5 million viewers? I would have thought more people would listen to him considering about 50 million americans are on some type of welfare. MSNBC, Obama, Ed Schultz and the rise of the the welfare state. Somehow these four subjects fit together like a perfect puzzle.
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