Lycos list shows Stern most popular talker with web users, again

Lycos announced its seventh annual list of the most popular talk radio personalities with web users, based on Internet searches. For the seventh straight year, Howard Stern continues to be the most-searched talker with web users, generating more searches than Tom Joyner and Opie & Anthony combined. Stern's online popularity remains strong, with search activity increasing 44% since making the move from terrestrial radio to Sirius. Tom Joyner takes the number two spot on this year's list, more than doubling in search popularity over the past year. Opie & Anthony, number three, were the biggest movers in 2007, generating four times more search interest than last year.

Adam Carolla of CBS Radio's "Adam Carolla Show," saw the most significant drop on this year's list. Carolla, who reached #2 in 2006 just behind Stern, falls off the list completely in 2007. Also falling off this year's list is Tavis Smiley, plummeting in search popularity over the past year.

Two hosts generating a great deal of media attention offline, but failing to register big numbers on the search radar are Bill O'Reilly and Don Imus. This marks the second consecutive year that O'Reilly has not appeared on the Lycos list of Top Talk Radio Hosts. And while he still makes this year's list, the controversy and subsequent firing of Don Imus failed to boost significant online interest for Imus in 2007, with his search numbers cut in half.

Joining O'Reilly and Smiley, other notables falling off the radar with web users in 2007 include Tom Leykis, Jim Cramer, Al Franken and Don & Mike. Replacing them and returning from last year are newcomers who made their debuts in 2006, including Wendy Williams, Emma B, Chris Evans and Sara Cox, who each continue to remain strong online.

Returning to this year's list are Larry King, Mancow, Kim Komando and Paul Harvey.

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