Conservative Radio Sees Boom Ahead

Where Bill Clinton’s presidency triggered Rush Limbaugh’s ascent, many see a new boom coming for conservative talk radio under President Obama, the New York Times reports. Limbaugh is touting the “rebirth of principled opposition,” and Sean Hannity claims to lead “conservatism in exile.” Says one radio executive, “the conservative hosts will have more fun. There’s no doubt about that.”

The year after an election is usually bad for talk radio, but this may be an exception. Still, broadcasters are lining up boldface names to stave off a gradual decline in interest. Limbaugh, Hannity, Glenn Beck, Michael Savage, and Laura Ingraham have all recently signed new contracts; former Republican presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, and Fred Thompson are dabbling as well. (More radio stories.)