Stephen King launches left-wing radio show

Stephen King is to launch a new radio show in the US state of Maine that will "make some people a little bit angry" and provide an alternative to the many right-wing radio hosts.

At a rare press conference today, the bestselling horror author announced The Pulse Morning Show, which will air on his WZON 103.1 FM and 620 AM stations in Maine every weekday morning from September 12. It will also stream online at Zoneradio.com.

According to the Bangor Daily News, King, whose novel Bag Of Bones is currently being adapted into a TV mini-series, told reporters: "We're a little to the left, but we're right."

King said that the show would balance the conservative bias of other stations in Maine, providing "all-day, in-depth coverage of Maine events, Maine news, Maine politics and really try to get beneath the surface".

He added: "We're going to try to be informative. We're going to be provocative. We're going to be amusing, and we're going to try to be a positive community force.

"We'd like to burn some feet once in a while - make some people a little bit angry. There are some people who deserve to be taken to the woodshed from time to time."

The Pulse Morning Show will be hosted by Pat LaMarche, who was a Green party vice-presidential candidate in 2004, and former reporter Don Cookson.

LaMarche said that the show would target politicians who "bully" Maine residents, particularly those who are struggling on the US welfare system.

"There's an awful lot of bullying going on out there right now [and] nothing is more fun than standing up to a bully," she said, adding: "We want you to laugh all the time because if you don't, you'll cry."

Last month, Universal opted against committing to Ron Howard's planned adaptation of King's Dark Tower series, leaving the filmmakers searching for another financial backer.