Is Glenn Beck the new Oprah?

November 8, 5:26 PMConservative Politics ExaminerKathy Shaidle

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Glenn Beck: the new Oprah?
(Time Warner)

The "Oprah Effect" peaked a few years back; it's been a while since an on-air rave from Oprah Winfrey could turn an obscure novel or self-help tome into an overnight sensation.

As the New York Times noted this week, Glenn Beck -- of all people -- now seems to have the magic touch; his interviews with dozens of thriller novelists like Brad Thor have boosted sales among Beck's vast audience:

Said industry insider Sarah Weinman:

"Beck definitely has a line into what his viewers--especially the 800,000-odd people in the coveted 25-54 demographic--might be interested in reading. Chances are they are not avid book buyers, lucky to put a couple of hundred bucks' total into publishers' coffers. Beck's viewership also skews predominately towards white males, and at the risk of gross overgeneralization, fall into the stereotypical category of those who shy away from reading books outside their own gender (or ethnic and cultural worldview.)"

Beck's good news for publishing in another sense, of course: his own books are consistent #1 NYT bestsellers. Simon & Schuster's  revenues increased 2% this year, thanks to Beck's Arguing With Idiots.

Meanwhile, Chris Ariens at MediaBistro pondered some news in another medium:


"With the news that Oprah Winfrey may take her daily talk show away from broadcast affiliates and to her own OWN cable network, that got us wondering: should Glenn Beck, now the #2 show on cable despite airing in he afternoons, be Oprah's syndicated replacement?"