BlogTalkRadio is a popular podcasting site with about 4.5 million listeners a month. And it’s no stranger to large-scale live podcasts, as some pull in more than 20,000 listeners while they’re going on. But on Wednesday, the service is likely to see their popularity taken to the next level as none other than the President of the United States will be on a program live for the site.
President Obama will be making an appearance on a special program called “40 Minutes For Health Reform” which will stream live exclusively on BlogTalkRadio. Specifically, the President’s part will be the last 10 minutes of the show after he listens in on the first 30 minutes during which there will be a roundtable discussion about the topic with the leaders of the non-profit group, Faithful America.
Faithful America are the ones that came up with the idea of doing a program on BlogTalkRadio, as they were looking for a platform to have moderated dialogue in a social media environment. The White House was open to the idea as they look to garner support for their health agenda. It’s a subject which has gathered quite a bit of controversy in the past few days, as there is talk that the administration may have to back away from some of its original plan.
For many of its shows, BlogTalkRadio utilizes social media outreach via the normal channels: Twitter, Facebook, etc. But this program should spread faster than the others given that the President will be on it talking about something which is now somewhat controversial. Still, the administration hasn’t shied away from using these new forms of communication to get messages out even though things aren’t quite as controlled as they might be with the standard outlets.
“I’ve been impressed by how President Obama has adopted innovative social-media technology during his campaign and into his administration,” says Alan Levy, CEO of BlogTalkRadio. “We’re honored that he has selected BlogTalkRadio as his newest requisite platform for communicating directly with the American people.”
The show will air live on Wednesday at 5 PM ET (2 PM PT) on both BlogTalkRadio’s program page found here, and on the Faith For Health site.
Update: Here’s President Obama’s portion of the show that aired today. We’re told there were over 140K live listeners, and have had more than 62K downloads in first hour after show. Huge numbers for the service.
BlogTalkRadio are on their second wave. Good for them!
Wow, big step for podcasting. Too bad Leo Laporte wasn’t the one to make this step.
I think Alan Levy might be getting a little ahead of himself if he thinks that BlogTalkRadio is a “requisite” platform for the President of the United States of America.
Seems like a really self-involved perspective to take — rather than being grateful that the Pres is going to crush his servers…
Good for BlogTalkRadio.
But if the president wants to have a real discussion/round table about health care, why not have it with some of the critics rather than people from FaithAmerica? I looked all over their site, and found ZERO criticisms/concerns (a big one that I can think of is that the members of congress should READ the bill before they vote on it).
How am I supposed to take a “discussion” seriously if no one from the opposing side is invited? This should be a concern for all regardless of your political viewpoint.
My guess is, if there were going to be some REAL critics of the “health care reform” effort on hand, the President would not have chosen to participate. Remember, this is the man who told his pals in the SEIU to “push back” against protestors at town hall meetings…and, shortly thereafter, Kenneth Gladney was assaulted by four SEIU thugs–in front of witnesses and a video camera–at a town hall meeting where he was handing out flags to anyone who wanted them.
I agree with the statement about members of Congress actually READING the bills they vote on before they vote on them. And I will further add that anyone who thinks socialized medicine is a good idea needs to talk to my ex-wife, currently in Finland and struggling to get adequate care for her chronic health issues from the government health system there.
It is the Elected Public Servants Resonsibility to Tell the public what the bill means to them!
Reading the bill and then voting but not informing their district’s citizens what the bill means to them, who wins, who loses and who pays the extra taxes is a bunch of BS. Be open and honest with the people and like in a real democarcy. What a concept?
I will tell President Obama that I do not want government run healthcare. Period.
get yourself educated, dude.
LOL. Still don’t want it!
More on “health reform”? OMG! Is President Obama is a “Health Reform Advocate”, or the President of the United States?
MOVE ON, Mr. President!
I prefer using podcasts on iTunes.
I can appreciate the presidential administration recognizing the value and importance of the Web as a platform for engagement, and not just an obligatory channel of content distribution.
A lot of people in Europe struggle to see why there is so much hysteria in this debate. It works so well in France, UK, Denmark and many other nations. Its time to change. Social benefits like free health care benefit society in general by taking care of those most In need.
I’ve read that the health care reform will cost north of $1T. That sure as hell ain’t “free” in my book. Let’s call it universal coverage or something else, but please dont call it free.
Living in the UK I can tell you our ‘free’ health system
is one of the worst in the western world.
You are likely to come out of hospital in worse shape than when you went in, thanks to the spread of superbugs within them. I was advised not to have an operation to help me specifically for this reason.
Private health care is thriving in the UK thanks to NHS failings.
Great to see the white house embrace new media channels that’s not one of the current big media Co’s.
Social Media has truly entered the big time!
No matter where you stand on President Obama’s Health Care Reform, you have to appreciate the innovative approach this administration is taking for reaching the people.
Because of the way Social Media works, there will be less opportunity for traditional forms of “Spin” by the mainstream news media.
This is a historic event! In Social Media each person has a voice and it is never filtered by reporters or commentators so I believe there is a better chance for the actual will of the people to be heard!
Agree or disagree with President Obama’s policy, you do have to admire his bravery. I do think he is “going for broke” and is determined to get to the bottom of what the people truly want.
That’s a good look for BlogTalkRadio
Obama is coming because he knows BTR has the best shows on the internet and we are not controled by special interest. We are freedom of speech here. Also because he just wanted to be on the same internet radio I am. lmfao. He knows The Odd Mind show rocks. lmao. Congrats Alan.
Lesa
Maybe someone will be allowed to ask him why HR676 is not going to be pushed through when it is truly universal. Instead we get this health insurance company protection plan that’s all about paying back his biggest donors. He’s calling it “healthcare reform” and it’s an empty buzz word phrase.
If he gets it through at all, the plan is a mish mash pandering to the insurance companies and is no better than HMO”s that we have now. The reason it won’t be implemented till 2013 is that in 2012 he will use the buzz phrase “Health care reform” to say he got this passed as an accomplishment but, it won’t be in place yet for anyone to really see what it really is or to criticize. It’s a future campaign ploy and nothing at all to do with your health care.
Indeed, his plan isn’t about “reform” at all. That’s a direct criticism from the left and I for one want an answer as to why he is pandering to those who donated to him instead of making REAL reforms and supporting single payer like he promised he would do.