WPUL/Daytona Beach is optimistic about progressive talk

From the Daytona Beach News-Journal:

Management at WPUL (1590AM) are optimistic about their young, mostly liberal talk format.

The former gospel station switched to a progressive talk format a year ago when it realized there "was a void in the market," said Phinesse Demos, the station's programming manager.

"For so long, people have heard only heard one point of view," said Demos about conservative-dominated AM radio.

"We want to give them another side. It makes for good conversation."

The new format is capitalizing on a backlash against Republicans that's threatening to unseat many incumbents during the mid-term elections. Talk radio provides an outlet for political frustration and alienation, industry officials said.

"We have three progressive shows that are doing extremely well," said Bolton, referring to talk hosts Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz and Bill Press, who are carried by roughly 170 stations nationwide.

KPUL combines the three Jones Radio Networks offerings with shows from Al Sharpton, The 2 Live Stews (sports talk), Lionel and Rollye James, who airs in the overnight hours.

What's interesting is that the network declined to affiliate with Air America Radio when they made the switch last year. No reason was given by station management but a Jones executive claims it was due to Jones' more flexible syndication model.

Demos believes progressive radio has made his station more competitive with WNDB.

"We're coming for them."