A group of media and political partners is teaming up to launch a new star search for progressive talk radio. Clear Channel Radio, the Center for American Progress Action Fund, Jones Radio Networks and Media Syndication Services, which is based in D.C., will conduct a nationwide talent search for the next voice of the political left.The contest begins Monday and will culminate with a final broadcast in front of a live studio audience in the District. Entries will be judged by an expert panel that includes Ed Schultz, one of the highest-rated syndicated progressive talk show hosts on the airwaves. The entire at-large contest will be managed online at TalkProgress.com, a Web site designed by Seattle-based Internet development company Nakea and by local promotions.
Clear Channel Radio developed the progressive talk format in March 2004 at one of its AM radio stations in Portland, Ore. The station's rating shot from 23rd to first in that market. Since then, nearly 100 radio stations industrywide have begun airing syndicated progressive talk content, including eight in the top 10 radio markets.
Clear Channel Radio alone has 23 progressive talk radio stations.
"Talk radio has emerged as a potent force for driving the national debate," says Center for American Progress Action Fund President John Podesta. "We're working towards a return to a balance in the airwaves by supporting this initiative to bring more progressive voices to the microphone." The Center for American Progress Action Fund is the advocacy organization of the Center for American Progress. The Action Fund works to turn progressive ideas into public policy through communications, legislative action and grassroots organizing. It also publishes the Progress Report.
For years, talk radio had been the bastion of conservative hosts. However, radio broadcasters are finding a sizable market among listeners from the other side of the political aisle. "Progressive Talk has grown so big, so fast, that all of us in the industry are searching high and low for more great Progressive Talk radio talent," Media Syndication Services President Paul "Woody" Woodhull says. "Great talkers like Ed Schultz, Bill Press, and Al Franken are hard to find." Media Syndication Services is an independent radio production and consulting company. Jones Radio Networks is an independent radio programming company with offices in New York, Seattle, Denver and Nashville, Tenn. It also syndicates Ed Schultz, Stephanie Miller and The Bill Press Show.