Posted on 03/28/2006 11:20:03 PM PST by raccoonradio
Two days into the latest batch of big-city Arbitron radio ratings releases, not even one piece of good news has yet emerged for Air America.
With the liberal radio network's second anniversary just days away, that leaves little to celebrate when it comes to real audience growth. After fresh numbers from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, San Diego and elsewhere, here's a quick scorecard:
--- In New York City, temporary network flagship WLIB-AM showed losses. From an overall 1.4 audience share last month, it fell to a 1.2 this time around.
In the broadest measurement of listeners, this critically important station still is unable to crack the top 20.
Meanwhile, Limbaugh affiliate WABC showed gains: from a 3.4 to a 3.7.
--- Still stuck in the Southland's bottom tier, KTLK-AM/ Los Angeles moved from a tiny 0.8 to this month's 0.9 share.
In order to avoid continuing to pay station owner Clear Channel high fees to run Air America programming there, KTLK needs to see dramatic ratings improvement. A quarterly finish above 1.0 would help a bit.
Conservative KFI held a 3.7 overall share.
--- In Chicago, Air America's WCPT-AM hasn't budged, still turning in a miniscule 0.7 share. Since last summer, the station has been unable to show any growth.
Rush's WLS-AM gained, moving from a 3.7 to a 4.0.
--- Both Hub stations combined couldn't bring the slightest improvement for the liberal network, as WXKS and WKOX-AM/ Boston again reveal a paltry 0.5 share. Only three distant, tiny outlets showed up with smaller numbers.
--- Especially ominous news has emerged from San Diego, where the previously somewhat successful KLSD-AM has seen gains erased. From a respectable 3.1 last fall, it's taken a huge hit, now down to a 1.8 share.
Representing the second phase of a three-month ratings period, final Winter 2006 Arbitron figures will emerge in April.
With nearly all of Air America's stations still ranked outside the top twenty, however, how could the network ever expect to attract a significant advertiser base?
For the network's coming second anniversary celebrations, expect the bubbly to be covered by our friend George Soros.
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L
From what I've read Al is extracting an enormous salary from this debacle. Obviously, he's going to grab all he can before the ship goes down. But Air America has been involved in a bigger financial swindle. The fact is that such a ridiculous bunch of third-raters can't exist apart from financial life support from Soros and some fiscal legerdemain. They're all a bunch of phonies -- Randi Rhodes is even afraid to use her real name!
L
That was the scam I referred to. I don't remember all the sordid details but it ended up in something like "unindicted co-consirators". But they have no sense of shame about anything -- I'm wondering how long Soros will stick with a very bad investment. After all, he's a shrewd businessman and will expect some effective mud-slinging and dirt for his money.
He's got money to burn for the cause. Don't forget he threw Tens of millions to MoveON during the last election. He probably made Billions trading Oil over the last couple of years.
You're right. For him a few million is chump change. And I suppose even he needs a hobby and some amnusement - what better than funding a bash-America media party. I suppose it's a little like playing the futures market -- you can turn a buy-low commodity like sow bellied hogs into a surprise and even make money on a short market.
What is the harpys real name?
I don't exactly remember although I've heard it. She's a Jewish girl from Brooklyn and it's the sort of ethnic name that you'd expect from that background.
The amazing thing is that in that bastion of liberalism, the two AAR stations have yet to put on a locally-based show. It's not like they can't find anyone out there who shares those views and could express them on air. I suggest they walk into Harvard Square and yell out, "Hey, anyone out there want to be a local host for Air America? You, with the bong, wanna be a star?"
Randi Bueten
They will keep it afloat at all costs. The propaganda arm of the DNC is absolutely needed in order to help the Dimorats to win back the House in Nov 06. It will stay on the air no matter how low the ratings sink. Err Amerika has just made an announcement their are arising from the ashes here in Phoenix. KPHX 1480 Special Announcement
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