I heard Air America is moving (from where I don't know) in NYC to WWRL on Monday. Anyone have more info. Does it matter?
LEFTY NET OFF WLIB
By JOHN MAINELLI
August 3, 2006 --
RADIO
THE liberal Air America radio network is going to be harder to hear in New York.
Next month, it is switching stations - to a weaker AM station, WWRL (1600 AM).
Al Franken and his lefty colleagues are leaving WLIB (1190 AM) apparently because they couldn't come up with enough cash for the owners, former Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton and his son, Pierre.
Starting Sept. 1, Air America will be on WWRL, at the top of the dial where AM signals are weakest - especially at night, when greater FCC restrictions apply.
As The Post reported last March, the ratings-challenged liberal network failed to renew its two-year lease with the Suttons.
Relations between the Suttons and the network's execs were rocky from the start and only got worse after the network's shaky finances became known and a scandal broke out involving loans to Air America from a Bronx charity.
WLIB's future after Sept. 1 is not known, although radio industry heavyweight Randy Michaels - the builder of 1,200-station Clear Channel - has expressed interest in leasing the station as a base for a new talk-radio network.
Michaels declined comment yesterday and the Suttons didn't return calls.
Air America Radio is Moving Up In New York City!
Statement:
NEW YORK - August 3, 2006 -Air America Radio, New York City's original progressive talk station is reaching new heights with its new home in New York City. On Friday, Sept. 1, Air America Radio will move up the dial to WWRL 1600 AM, owned and operated by Access 1 Communications Corp-NY. The announcement was made today by both Access 1 Communications and Air America Radio.
This change represents a new strategic alliance between the two organizations for a long term home for the Air America Radio station in the New York City marketplace. WWRL will become the flagship station for the Air America Radio network. The announcement was made by Jim Wiggett, Acting CEO of Air America Radio and Chesley Maddox- Dorsey, President & COO of Access 1.
"We are excited about our new affiliation and the platform this move will establish for Air America in the years ahead," said Wiggett. "We look forward to forming a long term and strong relationship with Access 1 Communications."
"We are thrilled about our new partnership with Air America," said Maddox-Dorsey. "It is important that we partner in offering the nation’s largest radio market a strong, progressive voice."