Two stories about Paul Harvey, the radio giant who died recently.  They each say something about his impact.  They each underscore the bias that flows through the veins and arteries of major media.

The first story comes from a chat I had years ago with the head of NBC Radio News. Harvey was in his heyday at the competitor, ABC Radio News. By “heyday” I mean he hosted four programs: His early morning news, news and commentary at noon, a Saturday commentary and The Rest of the Story. Hard to believe, but these four programs were the four most popular programs in all of radio.

The NBC guy told me he hated Harvey.  Because too many big stations had dropped NBC News for one reason.  They had a chance to get Paul Harvey on their airwaves.  So they switched to ABC.

I suggested to him that his own network ought to create a program to compete with Harvey’s. 

He told me I must be mad. Everybody in NBC News would smother the idea.  It would be out of the question.

Why?  If Paul Harvey hosts the four most-listened-to programs in all of radio, why not learn something from his success?  Why not market a news product that might appeal to the same audience?