Talk Radio

Talk radio is a radio format which predominately features a host who talks about various issues, whether items in the news, book reviews, or political issues. When used in political discussions, the term talk radio refers to the predominantly conservative hosts.

Talk radio has a style that tends to favor short sound-bites and a bit of mockery. Supporters of talk radio point how that a large segment of the population does not read, and the best way to reach them affordably is through radio.

Talk radio saw a dramatic rise when the FCC repealed the Fairness Doctrine which mandated that equal air time be given to opposing views. Since the repeal, talk radio has been dominated largely by conservative voices such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Michael Savage. Generally, liberal talk radio has failed; for example, Air America Radio, a liberal radio network, went bankrupt on October 13, 2006. As of July 2007, however, Air America is still broadcasting.

Talk radio includes topics such as gardening, the supernatural, relationships, advice, sports, health, and home improvement.

Talk radio is also available over the internet through use of streaming audio.

Heavy Hundred[edit]

These are the top 100 most important radio talk show hosts in America (As judged by Talkers magazine as of February 2009):^[1]

1. Rush Limbaugh
2. Sean Hannity
3. Michael Savage
4. Dr. Laura Schlessinger
5. Glenn Beck
6. Laura Ingraham
7. Dave Ramsey
8. Lou Dobbs
9. Mancow
10. Thom Hartmann
11. Mark Levin
12. Joe Madison
13. Doug Stephan
14. Neal Boortz
15. Mike Gallagher
16. Alan Colmes
17. Jerry Doyle
18. Ed Schultz
19. Bill Handel
20. Don Imus
21. Michael Medved
22. Jim Bohannon
23. Lionel
24. George Noory
25. Bill Bennett
26. Lars Larson
27. Clark Howard
28. Dr. Joy Browne
29. Jim Rome
30. Stephanie Miller
31. John and Ken
32. Howard Stern
33. Roger Hedgecock
34. Dennis Miller
35. Michael Smerconish
36. Bev Smith
37. Kim Komando
38. Rusty Humphries
39. Doug McIntyre
40. Boomer & Carton
41. Allen Hunt
42. Dennis Prager
43. Quinn & Rose
44. Bob & Tom
45. Mike & Mike
46. Rachel Maddow
47. Tom Sullivan
48. Randi Rhodes
49. Monica Crowley
50. G. Gordon Liddey
51. Opie & Anthony
52. Bubba the Love Sponge
53. Phil Hendrie
54. Tom Leykis
55. Ronn Owens
56. Howie Carr
57. Jay Severin
58. Mike Francesca
59. Kathy & Judy
60. The Dolans
61. Lincoln Ware
62. John Gibson
63. Phil Valentine
64. Jim Gearhart
65. Mitch Albom
66. Bill Cunningham
67. Janet Parshall
68. The Monsters
69. Jim Villanucci
70. Mark Davis
71. Hugh Hewitt
72. Kirby Wilbur
73. Fred Honsberger
74. Steve Malzberg
75. Roe Conn
76. Jim Philips
77. Mike Trivisonno
78. Joey Reynolds
79. Darrell Ankarlo
80. Joe Pagliarulo
81. Bob & Sheri
82. Mike Rosen
83. Marc Bernier
84. The Junkies
85. Allen Handelman
86. Larry Young
87. Glenn Ordway
88. Brian & The Judge
89. Neil Rogers
90. Ray Lucia
91. Martha Zoller
92. Diane Rehm
93. Dan Yorke
94. Keith Larson
95. John & Jeff
96. Alan Stock
97. Ian Freeman & Mark Edge
98. Dave Graveline
99. Errol Louis
100. Leslie Marshall

References[edit]