Media Political Leanings

[Terry]

At the risk of starting a minor war, I'd like to ask a simple question that I've wondered about for a while. Why is it that talk radio is almost completely conservative and TV news/talk is almost completely liberal (with the exception of Fox News)? I understand that the marketplace dictates what will survive, but then does that suggest that mostly conservatives listen to radio and mostly liberals watch TV? And if so, why would that be?

[henry]

I think the polarization is not nearly what it seems. Often the "commentary" found on TV leans more East Coast (and therefore liberal) because the major network hosts all live in New York and Washington. Talk radio has roots all over the country - often in more conservative areas, and the "commentary" found on radio leans right.

But the majority of people just want information and entertainment. For example, I watch CNN of info - and even if I disagree with Wolf Blitzer, I still stick around because it's compelling content. I tune into KSL, and while I really think Hannity is getting nuttier each year he's on the air, I'll still listen because he's a really good host.

But what really brings me to those two stations is wanting updates on current events - traffic, weather, and news. Traffic, weather, and news. Traffic, weather and news.

The majority of the audience is there for traffic, weather, and news - but they may stick around for the commentary - even if they disagree with it.