Why the absolute decimation of progressive radio?

[tech3149]

Before 2003 I was pretty much apolitical. It wasn't that I didn't care, it was that I knew since the 60's that the process was totally corrupt and didn't reflect the wishes of the majority of people.
At that time I looked for any and every source of information to get a more realistic perspective on world events. I found so many sources back then that I could spend the whole day listening to them. Of course, I had to listen to all of them on the internet. Those that had a terrestrial base lost stations that were either bought out or changed format. The changes resulted in really serious loss of media share.
Some of the shows, a small percentage are still available but they aren't on commercial outlets.
Those on listener supported stations are mostly there but the cost to keep them on the air means fund raising every other month. Others have gone to internet only which means that the people who need to hear the discussions might not have the capacity.

I've put up money to keep some of these outlets going but it's really tough for an old man with no income. Why are there not more people willing to pony up to get voices that get more facts in the discussion a wider audience?
Is it really a smart move to walk away from terrestrial radio? Seriously? It's the lowest common denominator. You can be poor as dirt and still buy a radio to get your news and information.
The so called "conservatives" learned in 1971 that they had to build an information infrastructure to support their ideas. Isn't it time that we learned to do the same?

[Warpy]

1. Because it scares holy fuck out of rich men

That's why.

[Turbineguy]

2. Maybe it's the corollary

RW Hate radio has done well because of the credulity of the listeners.

[djean111]

3. If ratings is a factor, I have always felt that progressives do not feel the need to

have their opinions validated, like the Right seem to need.

[beveeheart]

4. Just lost 760AM progressive talk radio in Denver area

I think it's been replaced with business talk.

[rurallib]

5. Rush and the Fluke affair are basically killing all talk radio

While he has gone down the crapper in a spectacular way, he has awakened advertisers to what can happen when someone or something turns toxic. And many advertisers are pulling away from RW shows in droves.

This presents a problem because those who own the radio stations also own most of the right wing talent. When advertisers started ditching them, they just put the shit on more of their stations because it is their own in house talent. Therefore they had to dump anything else besides Rush and Hannity etc. Ergo it is good-bye LW radio.

LW radio was doing decent but they owned none of the stations so it's take a hike.

But of course it isn't just terrestrial radio that is owned by the RW in this country. Almost every media in this country except the internet is owned predominantly by the right or corporations:
- TV?
- Radio?
- Newspapers?
- Magazines?
- even outdoor advertising?
---yes, yes, yes, yes and yes. This all leaves the internet as the one outlet that the Right hasn't got a death grip on and it is coming.

BTW - if you haven't noticed in many markets the major TV, radio and newspapers are all owned by one or two companies. One could safely say that the right wing has a de facto monopoly on news and entertainment sources in this country.

[barbtries]

6. why? so people can't listen to it of course.

they might start thinking if they did.

[msongs]

7. because progressives are not anger driven to listen to endless radio hate spewing so ratings are low

and of course that means no sponsor support.