Two Local Talkers Make Top 100 List

Two Local Talkers Make Top 100 List

Two local radio hosts, WPRO-AM's John DePetro and Dan Yorke, made this year's "Talkers Magazine Heavy Hundred." They are the only two hosts in the market to make the list. The honor goes to talk show hosts across the country. "Talkers Magazine" is a trade publication and, according to it's Web site, they used a range of criteria to select talk show hosts - these ranged from courage to ratings to talent.

Where do Yorke and DePetro rank?

DePetro and Yorke are in some pretty big company for sure as part of this list of 100. In the #1 spot is syndicated talk show host Rush Limbaugh and in #2 is syndicated talk show host Sean Hannity. Yorke came in at #81 and under his name reads the following: "Intense local issues and unique angles from this broadcasting pro." DePetro meantime came in at #91 on the list and here is what the editors say about him: "Tenacious reputation in Rhode Island's capital city".

GoLocalProv touched base with the publisher of the talk magazine, Michael Harrison. Our first question was, Is there any significance to where each host ranked in the list of 100? "The difference between #81 and #91 is negligible. Do not read too much into it. Both hosts are in very prideful positions. The only real quantitative difference is Dan Yorke has been on the list longer than DePetro and considering both hosts are fairly equal in the broad scheme of things, he gets the nod," said Harrison.

Who are some past heavy hitters?

See if you can recognize these names Harrison provided to us about a "who's who" from past years. Some famous names no doubt. "Mary Ann Sorrentino was on the Heavy Hundred in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Caroline Fox was on it in 1999. Arlene Violet was on it in 2004 and 2005. In 2006 Violet made the Top 250, which was the first year we expanded the list to 250." Harrison says his magazine is a trade magazine, is meant for people in the industry, and does not sway the list based on any political views. He hopes the list gives listeners a chance to see where their local hosts sit compared to the national talk show hosts.

Harrison says Providence has a long history of great talk show hosts and he is right. He adds to have two hosts in the "Heavy Hundred" is a big deal given the size of the Providence radio market compared to the other cities and hosts named.

To see the full list of talk show hosts go to www.talkers.com

Jeff Derderian is a former television news reporter and anchor both in Providence and Boston. He is one of the founders of the Station Education Fund. He can be reached at [email protected]