November 17, 2004

‘Mancow' Signs National Syndication Agreement with TRN-FM

Chicago, IL - Erich "Mancow" Muller, Chicago's ratings juggernaut, has signed a long term agreement for the national syndication of his Chicago-based "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" with TRN-FM.

TRN-FM is an affiliated network with Oregon-based Talk Radio Network (TRN)  and TRN Enterprises - syndicators known for developing a long line of national superstar radio heavyweights, including Michael Savage (on close to 400 stations) and Laura Ingraham (on 300 stations).

"This is a dream come true for us at TRN-FM. Mancow's powerhouse ratings at WKQX in Chicago is only the beginning of the story of what his show has become.  Mancow's authentic passion for radio and his sheer love for and curiosity about life has resulted in a show that is unparalleled in the FM talk world today," says Mark Masters, CEO of TRN-FM.  "The range of content, emotion and sheer entertainment covered in a single show is amazing and frankly refreshing."

Masters points out that last year's flurry of speculation by FCC watchers and the fallout surrounding the Janet Jackson Super Bowl debacle put deep structural cracks in the "FM sex talk" format.  Masters notes that this was the last straw for the "old school shockjock" dam to "blow out," and literally has given Mancow's morning show the unprecedented opportunity to lead a new generation of younger, hipper and smarter FM Talk radio listeners.  "Mancow will explode nationwide on the morning drive scene as the only real syndicated ratings solution for FM morning drive," says Masters.

Last week alone, Mancow's guests included former Clinton master-mind Dick Morris, television's Dr. Phil, "Star Trek Enterprise's" Scott Bacula, and rocker Marilyn Manson, to name a few. His topics in a single show can cover areas as light as the hottest music, movies and pop culture to hard-hitting topics such as terrorism, personal freedoms and exposing the dangers of the occult.

"People have looked at my ratings dominance in the 18-34 demo and have tried to compare my show to others, but there is simply nothing like "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" on the airwaves.  I treat my listeners like they have brains above the waist and they respond," says Muller.

Indeed, Muller's ratings in America's third largest market (Chicago) expose his titan status. In the Summer Book, in a head to head analysis "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" pulled a 9.4 share for men 18-34 in Chicago, while Stern's men 18-34 number across the street at WCKG pulled only a 6.3 share - beating STERN by an astounding 49% in the key demo.

"When I came to Chicago the competition said I didn't stand a chance - next thing, I was number one in 18-34 and they've never caught up," says Muller. "Mancow's numbers in Chicago are but a sampling of what TRN-FM plans to do with "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" nationwide.  This show is simply brilliant; there is no other way to put it," says Masters.

So the Mancow show does well in major markets.   But will it play in Peoria?

The answer is a resounding "YES," according to Gabe Reynolds, PD of Mancow affiliate WWCT/Rock 96.5 in Peoria.  "We brought Mancow to town this past May and Peoria is still talking about the broadcast.   With "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" listeners and the competition stand up and take notice."

Peoria is not alone, "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" is number one 18-34 for men in both WNFZ, Knoxville and KAZR, Des Moines with an incredible 18.3 and 21.5 share respectively.  Steve Goldstein, Saga Executive VP of Programming says, "Cow is the man and has delivered for us in Des Moines for years."

"‘Mancow's Morning Madhouse' is the perfect content solution for what ails the ratings, revenues and FCC concerns of America's top FM stations," says Masters.  "With a staff of four other complementing on-air characters, a large production team, and the resources of both Emmis and TRN-FM behind ‘Mancow's Morning Madhouse,' the show has become the ultimate hybrid innovation of fast-paced, sidesplitting entertainment and opinion/news.  Combine that with today's top newsmakers and celebrities added heavily into the mix, and you have a show that spans a spectrum that reaches beyond anything heard on FM talkers today," added Masters. TRN and TRN Enterprises have developed more top-ten syndicated shows in the last decade than all other talk networks combined. 

"I think what has been done by lazy jocks for years to attract the 18-34 demo is now being realized for what it is - just a commodity.  How original or innovative do you have to be to have lesbians mud wrestling or describing another in-studio sex act? After years of this crap it is as boring and predictable as Dan Rather's nightly liberal blabber," says Muller. "My audience loves what we have done with the show in the last several years.  They need to not only laugh but to think as well and to learn something beyond the mind dulling garbage that FM Talk has become known and despised for."

"My audience wants to expand their understanding of the world around them as well as have fun in the morning.  This show has become a daily emotional, spiritual, and intellectual meal for our listeners - they feast on it and bring their friends to consume it - the same will be true nationwide," says Muller.

Emmis' Giant Q101 just reserved Mancow in Chicago for a multi-year arrangement, other markets will soon follow suit. "I am proud and excited to finally be able to work with Mark Masters and the TRN-FM team on a national basis.  I am also grateful to Emmis for believing in me and I look forward to recreating Chicago's dominance time and time again in other markets, coast to coast, says Muller.

In addition to his radio program, for over six years Mancow has been a weekly contributor on the Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends” and has appeared on a variety television programs including: “Politically Incorrect,” “Jerry Springer,” “David Letterman,” “Hard Copy” and others. Muller is the author of a Best-Selling book Dad, Dames, Demons, and a Dwarf and he has written for “Newsmax.com,” “Playboy” and “Gear Magazine.”

TRN-FM and its affiliated networks also syndicate “The Michael Savage Show,” “The Laura Ingraham Show,” “The Jerry Doyle Show,” “The Tammy Bruce Show,” “The Rusty Humphries Show,” “Motor Trend Radio” and many other fine programs.

For more information on “Mancow’s Morning Madhouse” on TRN-FM, call (541) 474-2297.

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