We don’t know if Salem’s new deal to team up with CNN for the broadcast of Republican presidential primary debates is a play for political advertising income, but we can’t think of a better way to prime that pump.
The events will air on Salem Radio Network and on the group’s News-Talkers, as well as on selected websites.
“We are pleased to be working with CNN,” said David Santrella, President of Broadcast Media at Salem. “I am confident that both the access to our audiences and the incorporation of Salem talent will make the debates more accessible for the American electorate.”
Salem’s own Hugh Hewitt will be among those asking the questions at the first of three events.
That one will be held 9/16/15 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley CA.
“I am delighted to be included with journalists posing questions as part of one of America’s finest political traditions -the presidential debate,” said Hewitt. “These debates come at a critical time, and good questions will allow Republican primary voters the opportunity to see and hear their would-be nominees provide answers to issues that genuinely concern them. Any reporter who is also a political junkie welcomes the chance to be on such a panel, which of course I do.”
The other two debates have not yet been scheduled.
RBR-TVBR observation: What better place could there possibly be for a political campaign to advertise than on a broadcast station that is actively engaged in the election?
Becoming the radio home of high-interest politically-charged debates will make Salem radio stations to place to be for any political operative that wants to pitch a candidate’s message to Salem’s high-value audience.
We would heartily recommend that any station wishing to get a nice slice of political pie start working on ways to become a participant in the process right now.
It’s not too early to start getting candidates and likely candidates on the air. Think of it as an investment.
It’s very simple. If I’m running media for a candidate, and Station X has been doing a great job of covering my candidate, they are very likely to figure in my plans when I’m allocating my budget.
