Not every talk radio program becomes a hit though.  There are those that really make a strong impact on listeners, and there are those that just didn’t appeal to a lot of people. Here are the top five most influential talk radio shows in the United States.

1. The Rush Limbaugh Show

Premiere Radio Network’s The Rush Limbaugh Show started airing more than 20 years ago in 1988 and has since become the highest-rated program under the talk radio category.

It is said that Rush Limbaugh is instrumental in bringing political talk radio to the level of popularity it has today, paving the way for similar shows.

Every day at noon Eastern Time, Rush Limbaugh discusses that day’s news and issues, feature call-ins from listeners, comedy and parodies.  The format it follows cemented its hold on the American public as more than 20 million listeners tune in daily.

Rush Limbaugh is a rarity in the talk radio genre as he does not usually have guests, saving the rare opportunity for politicians and other commentators.

With the advent of the Internet, Limbaugh has taken his voice to the Web through his own Web site.

2. The Howard Stern Show

While Howard Stern has since moved on to satellite radio broadcasts on Sirius, The Howard Stern Show was syndicated in more than 60 markets in the United States, and had 20 million listeners at its peak on terrestrial radio.  The show made Howard Stern the highest paid radio personality in the country.

Howard Stern earned the reputation of being a shock jock because of his very controversial views on world affairs earning the show and its host a long list of fines from the FCC.

Stern also faced great success in other media like books, films, and television due to his immense popularity from the show.

3. The Sean Hannity Show

According to Talkers Magazine, the Sean Hannity Show is currently the second most-listened to talk radio show next to Rush Limbaugh’s show. Sean Hannity often criticizes the Stimulus plan, along with terrorism, Iraq, illegal immigration, among other issues.  It is heard every weekday on Premier Radio Networks and Citadel Media starting at 3 p.m. Eastern time.

Similar to Rush Limbaugh, the show discusses the news of the day and often features interviews with politicians, analysts and even the ordinary guy.

4. The Dr. Laura Program

The Dr. Laura Program currently attracts more than 9 million listeners.  Laura Schlesinger dishes out everything-under-the-sun advice every day on Premiere Radio Networks.  Schlesinger also has editorials on her show related to hot topics that touch on politics and society.

Schlesinger in 2006 was tied with Howard Stern as the fourth most listened-to radio show, and she keeps that spot today.  And like Stern, Schlesinger has also branched out to authoring books.

5. The Glenn Beck Program

Another Premiere Radio Networks staple, the Glenn Beck Program started airing in 2002 and is currently among the highest rated talk radio programs in the United States.  A conservative commentator, Glenn Beck is credited to have made Van Jones resign after Beck raised issues on his program.

Propelled by more than nine million listeners, Beck now has a television show on Fox News, and has published best-selling books and a magazine.

In the United States, the top ten talk radio programs gather more than 60 million listeners all in all.  Is it any wonder that talk radio is considered one of the most popular media formats in recent history?  Talk radio not only entertains and informs listeners, but it has also come to shape their opinions.  What’s more, it has also affected the way Americans get their news and see their world.  Although mainly touching on politics and news, or precisely because of it, talk radio has made a dent on the American psyche and culture.  So much so that the opinions of its hosts become the opinions of the patronizing public.

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