Forbes 'Most Powerful Celebrities' List Shows Power of Talk Radio Strong

Online, June 30, 2013 (Newswire.com) - The headline from this year's Forbes Most Powerful Celebrities list was that Glenn Beck makes more money than Oprah Winfrey. Beck is the top ranking conservative talk host on the Forbes list, reportedly earning $90 million. That's compared to Oprah's $77 million. Beck is ranked #34 most powerful on the list.

Rush Limbaugh, according to Forbes, earns $66 million. Limbaugh is ranked #37. Will Smith and Ben Aflack are sandwiched between Back and Limabugh. Limbaugh outranks celebrities such as Adam Sandler and Angelina Jolie. They also trounce politically left-leaning comedians David Letterman and Jon Stewart.

Sean Hannity is also on the list at #71, with Forbes reporting he earns $30 million.

Beck, Limbaugh and Hannity are all featured in "The Right Frequency: The Story of the Talk Radio Giants Who Shook Up the Political and Media Establishment," an Amazon best seller by Fred Lucas (History Publishing Co.).

The book explains how conservative talk radio is not an echo chamber, citing some of the many differences between Beck and Limbaugh. It further chronicles how talk radio went from a collection of local host to a national industry shaping America's political landscape. The presence of Beck, Limbaugh and Hannity demonstrates that the influence of these talkers is not fading.

All three individuals have built media empires around their personalities and conservative commentaries. Limbaugh was the pioneer that proved a commercially viable market for alternative media with a radio and three-year TV program. His massive success paved the way for Hannity and Beck, both with nationally syndicated radio shows. Beck now has his own multi-media news organization while Hannity has one of the highest rated TV shows on cable news.

For more information contact Don Bracken at djb@historypublishingco.com or (845) 398-8161.