December 09, 2011 06:37 PM UTC

Does Progressive Talk Radio Have a Future in Denver?

•  
• by: John Tzekara

About a week ago AM760 announced they were ending Mario Solis-Marich’s evening drive time show and replacing it with Norman Goldman, a national radio show host.  

Mario was one of only three progressive talk show hosts in the Denver market who discussed local issues, and one of only two had a regular M-F show.

I have heard a lot of criticism about Mario’s show, ranging from the fact that he no longer lived in Denver (his show was run out of LA), to a narrow view of progressive politics.

Regardless, the decision to replace him with a national show instead of another local show means one less venue for local topics to be discussed.  With only David Sirota in the mornings, and Dr. Daddio’s Saturday show, progressive talk radio listeners are getting less opportunity to discuss local issues and fewer viewpoints about them.

Progressive talk radio has never been as popular as conservative channels, and both 630 and 850’s line ups including several local shows.  This means more opportunity for conservatives to listen and discuss local issues in Colorado, and ultimately for the Republican party to push messaging to their base.

I know there are a lot of regular readers here who have expressed their dislike for both Sirota and Solis-Marich, but I’m curious about your thoughts on progressive radio in general here.  Is this an indicator of progressive talk radio dying in Colorado, or is there a future still?  Also, if 760 ultimately decides to put a local show back on the air, who could do the job?