I'm going along with sinkspur insofar as I have very little time for talking heads, either radio or TV. Old fashioned that way - prefer more reading so I can go back and grab a passage I missed, or see how it leads on to the next thought. Dr. Sowell would be a prime example of this, he doesn't merely make statements, he always backs it up and shows you exactly how he has come to his conclusions. May not agree sometimes, but I can see where he is coming from and why.
Where they are useful is in picking up information and spreading it, but I prefer my information backed with sources I can check independently. Note - this dos not apply to good interviewers. That is a completely different thing and a very difficult skill to master!
Got no trouble with them making a living, creating a brand (if you like). That is normal and respectable and perfectly acceptable.