Political Radio Unpopular in Political Heart of U.S.

Talk radio is popular everywhere in the United States, except it seems, in Washington D.C.  This paradox can be explained, according to Chris Berry, President of WMAL, one of two popular AM news stations in D.C., by the fact that “people in D.C. are smarter and really know the issues so they don’t care as much about talk radio opinions.”  I interviewed Rachel Poisall, a student at the University of Maryland College Park who researched the topic of political radio in D.C. and asked her if she really believed that people in D.C. are “smarter” than others in the United States:

listen to ‘Political Radio Climate of D.C.’ on Audioboo

So if they aren’t smarter than other people in the United States, but they are “more aware” of the issues around them, then why does a conservative talk radio host like Rush Limbaugh, whose show, ironically, airs on WMAL, have such success in an environment where people are above the issues? Is it possibly because they are listening to him for entertainment?  I asked Rachel if she thinks people listen to political talk radio more for entertainment or for news-getting:

listen to ‘Political Talk Radio: News vs. Entertainment’ on Audioboo

So if it depends on the host, then people tune into Rush because he is entertaining.  However, this conflicts with Mr. Berry’s assertion that people in D.C. don’t care about talk radio opinions.  Obviously someone does, or he wouldn’t have so much success.