Do You REALLY Think Art Will Be Back in 2015?

[HorrorRetro]

Nice to see some familiar names showing up.

I believe Art has lost most of his name recognition. It's not the 90's anymore. Other than a small core of fans, no one knows who he is. He failed to keep his name out there. If he was truly interested in having a show in 2015, wouldn't he be putting his name out there or building some kind of interest other than vague FB/Twitter postings twice a year? When the Sirius debacle occurred, he complained that he didn't have enough listeners/callers. How is that going to improve after another two years of reclusivity?

For example, I just spent a few days up at a cabin with a group of people with ages ranging from 73 to 23.  We discussed paranormal/conspiracy radio and some had heard of Clyde Lewis and Alex Jones, but no one, other than my husband and myself, had ever heard of Art Bell. I think his time has passed.

[b_dubb]

Welcome back Sardondi. Have you heard Art Bell quit Coast to Coast Dark Matter?

[Avi]

Happy to hear from you, Sardondi. Hope you and yours are well.

[HorrorReporter]

Nice to see some familiar names showing up.

I believe Art has lost most of his name recognition. It's not the 90's anymore. Other than a small core of fans, no one knows who he is. He failed to keep his name out there. If he was truly interested in having a show in 2015, wouldn't he be putting his name out there or building some kind of interest other than vague FB/Twitter postings twice a year? When the Sirius debacle occurred, he complained that he didn't have enough listeners/callers. How is that going to improve after another two years of reclusivity?

For example, I just spent a few days up at a cabin with a group of people with ages ranging from 73 to 23.  We discussed paranormal/conspiracy radio and some had heard of Clyde Lewis and Alex Jones, but no one, other than my husband and myself, had ever heard of Art Bell. I think his time has passed.

Very interesting take.
I think I understand your point of view on this--even many fans who know of him, that I know, think he did himself with his Sirus quit and that he would have eventually scored a brand new fan base if he would have stayed.
But such is that whole thing.
And it's great to see some old faces, indeed.

[nooryisawesome]

Nice to see some familiar names showing up.

I believe Art has lost most of his name recognition. It's not the 90's anymore. Other than a small core of fans, no one knows who he is. He failed to keep his name out there. If he was truly interested in having a show in 2015, wouldn't he be putting his name out there or building some kind of interest other than vague FB/Twitter postings twice a year? When the Sirius debacle occurred, he complained that he didn't have enough listeners/callers. How is that going to improve after another two years of reclusivity?

For example, I just spent a few days up at a cabin with a group of people with ages ranging from 73 to 23.  We discussed paranormal/conspiracy radio and some had heard of Clyde Lewis and Alex Jones, but no one, other than my husband and myself, had ever heard of Art Bell. I think his time has passed.

I disagree. Noory, jones and Lewis combined only make a tiny fraction of what Art's lsitnership base was. I would agree that most younger people do no know who Mr. Bell is.

However, according to Art he was offered by 3 different networks time slots of his choosing prior to signing with Sirius. If Art decided to go back to terrestrial radio, and had patience for it he would probably out perform  Noory, Jones and Lewis combined.

[Wintermute]

I think Art Bell will be "back" in some form in 2015. Pre-recorded podcast at the minimum. Terrestrial radio + online streaming maximum.

My guess is that Cumulus Media, CBS Radio (Infinity) and maybe Journal Broadcast Group made a pass at him last time. JBG doesn't have a lot of working capital and by all accounts they are behind the times in every way imaginable... but someone like Bell could write his own ticket. Cumulus would be the whale... big, modern, lots of cash. CBS has a ton of cash, but it new in radio because of their Infinity takeover. No way Bell saddles up with ClearChannel.

So, what is most probable?

75% Chance: Bell does live online show two times a week + NYE and Halloween. Gives up after 6mo when listenership never gets above 3000 streams or technical problems become too much... only hear from him again on Facebook.
40% Chance: Bell does a real, indie, terrestrial radio show, weekends and streams on DM Radio. Ends up missing shows and quits after a year citing some family thing. Does a pre-recorded podcast for a few months and gives up.
30% Chance: Journal Broadcast Group picks him up for 3-4 nights a week and DM Radio gets the podcasts to replay. Art's show ends up being weekends only and DM Radio is allowed a live stream after 4 months. Art keeps the show going until he says "he can't physically do it anymore". Never does radio again.
10% Chance: Cumulus throws Bell $7mil for a 2yr - 4eps show / week deal. DM Radio shuts it's virtual doors because Keith is left out of the deal. Art does what he can, but can't fulfill his contract and is forced out of radio for good.

[Marc.Knight]

Until the second night on-air and his back hurts. 

[dan7800]

How about he doesn't come back at all?

[Sardondi]

...I believe Art has lost most of his name recognition......

This is very perceptive. Art's last real broadcasting was done before the this year's batch of high school grads had even started school. He's in real danger of being perceived as an old fart desperate to snatch a little of the Golden Days. Or worse, as "Who's Art Bell?".

[phrodo]

So, what is most probable?

You do realize that all adds up to a 155% chance that Art will do something for a while then quit.

[Heather Wade]

No one recognized Art's name when I listened to him in the 90's.  He's always been a bit underground.

[Marc.Knight]

No one recognized Art's name when I listened to him in the 90's.  He's always been a bit underground.

There were plenty of high profile media that announced his return via Sirius.  If he had stayed with them I believe he would be a household name by now and Drooley would be relegated to Gaiam tv.

[Heather Wade]

There were plenty of high profile media that announced his return via Sirius.  If he had stayed with them I believe he would be a household name by now and Drooley would be relegated to Gaiam tv.

Agreed.

[jazmunda]

How about he doesn't come back at all?

It pains me greatly to say it but I think that this is the most likely scenario. My bet is that he will cite that his heart just isn't into it.

[jazmunda]

There were plenty of high profile media that announced his return via Sirius.  If he had stayed with them I believe he would be a household name by now and Drooley would be relegated to Gaiam tv.

I wish that were true but I highly doubt that Art would have been a household name if he had stayed with Sirius.

[jazmunda]

Or worse, as "Who's Art Bell?".

I got this a lot at the height of his C2CAM tenure in the late 90s so I would image we'd get a lot of "Who the @#$% is Art Bell?" today.

[Sardondi]

I got this a lot at the height of his C2CAM tenure in the late 90s so I would image we'd get a lot of "Who the @#$% is Art Bell?" today.

I'm thinking he'd really have to bring it if there's a next time. I don't think the un-guests and unter-energy persona of the Sirius Days will make it.

[ACE of CLUBS]

Art's time has come ...... and sadly, gone.
The para-normal is now normal, the first line guests that got the ball rolling along with Art are fading away ....

Remember Art for the doors he opened ......... 'Wanna' take a ride ......... ?'

[GeorgieForPresident2216]

Art seems to build up a certain level of anxiety after not being able to express himself in the public eye for awhile and then suddenly releases it in waves of Dark Matter.  Once the pressure subsides he's content for a time and disappears.  Therefore while most people Tweet, I am proposing a new form of social media.   I call it Art's Farts and I think that is all we will ever see from him.  I know this is not a new concept and in fact read Larry King had one in a bottle or something, but I could be mixed up due to pixelation on my screen.

Sorry if this has been discussed before.  Really, I was just kind of bored.  Sorry to art for my need to get off some grade school humour.

[jazmunda]

Art seems to build up a certain level of anxiety after not being able to express himself in the public eye for awhile and then suddenly releases it in waves of Dark Matter.  Once the pressure subsides he's content for a time and disappears.  Therefore while most people Tweet, I am proposing a new form of social media.   I call it Art's Farts and I think that is all we will ever see from him.  I know this is not a new concept and in fact read Larry King had one in a bottle or something, but I could be mixed up due to pixelation on my screen.

Sorry if this has been discussed before.  Really, I was just kind of bored.

No form of social media could handle the frequency or potency of my farts.

[GeorgieForPresident2216]

No form of social media could handle the frequency or potency of my farts.

That, sir, should be a source of great pride.

[Uncle Duke]

I think Art Bell will be "back" in some form in 2015. Pre-recorded podcast at the minimum. Terrestrial radio + online streaming maximum.

My guess is that Cumulus Media, CBS Radio (Infinity) and maybe Journal Broadcast Group made a pass at him last time. JBG doesn't have a lot of working capital and by all accounts they are behind the times in every way imaginable... but someone like Bell could write his own ticket. Cumulus would be the whale... big, modern, lots of cash. CBS has a ton of cash, but it new in radio because of their Infinity takeover. No way Bell saddles up with ClearChannel.

So, what is most probable?

75% Chance: Bell does live online show two times a week + NYE and Halloween. Gives up after 6mo when listenership never gets above 3000 streams or technical problems become too much... only hear from him again on Facebook.
40% Chance: Bell does a real, indie, terrestrial radio show, weekends and streams on DM Radio. Ends up missing shows and quits after a year citing some family thing. Does a pre-recorded podcast for a few months and gives up.
30% Chance: Journal Broadcast Group picks him up for 3-4 nights a week and DM Radio gets the podcasts to replay. Art's show ends up being weekends only and DM Radio is allowed a live stream after 4 months. Art keeps the show going until he says "he can't physically do it anymore". Never does radio again.
10% Chance: Cumulus throws Bell $7mil for a 2yr - 4eps show / week deal. DM Radio shuts it's virtual doors because Keith is left out of the deal. Art does what he can, but can't fulfill his contract and is forced out of radio for good.

Great post, but I think your "10% chance" solution is way too high.  What savvy radio network professional would throw money at a guy who has shown himself to be a serial quitter and (sad to say) a head case.  Art might be able to string together a couple dozen or so small-time stations to form the indie network you referenced, but the PD at a 5000 watt station in North Platte, Neb has little to lose if the initial investment is small.  When Art takes his ball and goes home (again), that same PD reverts to playing infomercials and PSAs just as he did previously.

I do not believe Art will ever broadcast a commercial radio show again, but it he does, it will not last long regardless of the format/source for all the reasons you have previously mentioned.  Personally, I hope he doesn't come back.  DM was bad, I fear the next iteration (if there is one) will be God-awful.  Anyone else here old enough to remember seeing Willie Mays in his last MLB season with the Mets?  'Nuff said.

[nooryisawesome]

Great post, but I think your "10% chance" solution is way too high.  What savvy radio network professional would throw money at a guy who has shown himself to be a serial quitter and (sad to say) a head case.  Art might be able to string together a couple dozen or so small-time stations to form the indie network you referenced, but the PD at a 5000 watt station in North Platte, Neb has little to lose if the initial investment is small.  When Art takes his ball and goes home (again), that same PD reverts to playing infomercials and PSAs just as he did previously.

I do not believe Art will ever broadcast a commercial radio show again, but it he does, it will not last long regardless of the format/source for all the reasons you have previously mentioned.  Personally, I hope he doesn't come back.  DM was bad, I fear the next iteration (if there is one) will be God-awful.  Anyone else here old enough to remember seeing Willie Mays in his last MLB season with the Mets?  'Nuff said.

I think dark matter was comparable to art hosted c2c shows. People expect every show to be a classic but many of the old c2c shows were the same level as dark matter. Some dark matter shows were really good in my opinion.

If art gets after it, he could get on another network.

Redeye is a joke, cbs needs a night show etc. Art could help them compete with coast then they could use a different host when art retired or whatever.

[FightTheFuture]

He's not coming back,  folks.

UNLESS.....he decides to humble himself and  rebuild a relationship with you-know-who, possibly for an occasional weekend or fill-in gig, which is what he should have done when he came back the last time. But, let's face it, that is not going to happen.

So, no. Not coming back.

[ksm32]

So, no. Not coming back.

BINGO.

..sadly..

[nooryisawesome]

You faithless bell followers. The King shall return.

[paladin1991]

You faithless bell followers. The King shall return.

Indeed.

[jazmunda]

The King shall return.

Elvis or Michael Jackson?

[WhiteCrow]

Art's a special kind of nut-job. No telling what he'll do in the future.

[ksm32]

You faithless bell followers. The King shall return.

If he does I will give you $50. via paypal. If he returns to do a radio show in one form or another.. before September 2015. I'm being somewhat graceful there. Word is it's July, so let's seeeeee.

PS. The Easter Bunny will do first hour Moulton Howe spots