Posted on 05/23/2007 11:45:33 AM PDT by Zakeet
A liberal talk radio network founded more than three years ago as an alternative to conservatives such as Rush Limbaugh is undergoing a "relaunch" this week, though media analysts say "the marketplace will tell the story" of whether the revamp will succeed in the long run.
The Air America Radio Network this week began syndicating on 64 stations nationwide and XM satellite a retooled lineup of programs, introduced a more interactive website and launched an "I'm an Air American!" advertising campaign involving liberal celebrities.
It's all part of what the network in a press release called "the official relaunch of Air America 2.0."
Along with "proven veterans like Randi Rhodes, Thom Hartmann, Rachel Maddow and the Young Turks," the network's weekday schedule now features a talker named Lionel, who is currently heard on 92 stations across the country.
"Air America is about one thing: radio," the new morning show host stated, "radio that's an alternative to the usual, bumper sticker Rush wannabe."
Other changes include a week-in-review show featuring commentators Arianna Huffington, Mark Green, Bob Kerrey and Bob Shrum.
Seeking to expand its listening audience, the network began the week by airing taped interviews with prominent Democratic politicians, including Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois and Reps. Charles Rangel of New York and Henry Waxman of California.
Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers magazine, told Cybercast News Service Tuesday that Air America Radio is "heading in the right direction" in what he called "a very difficult business."
"You have to look at Air America in context. Too many people have said, 'Look, it's liberal. It failed,' as if that's why," Harrison said. "The fact that they're liberal or progressive is irrelevant to me. It has to do with talent and a good business plan."
"Most movies fail, most books don't become best-sellers, and most TV shows don't become hits," he said. To be successful, the network must "have good shows that appeal to listeners and sponsors, plain and simple, just like any other radio syndicator."
Harrison also praised Air America's hiring of David Bernstein as vice president of programming as "a definite step in the right direction," because "he's a true, seasoned, professional radio programmer" and "not a political operative. He has no agenda other than to succeed in broadcasting, and that's what they need."
Roger Aronoff, media analyst with the conservative group Accuracy in Media, agreed on Tuesday that the network is "making smart moves" in "attempting to reinvent and relaunch itself as a credible voice in the marketplace of ideas."
"The real test, however, will be the test of time," Aronoff told Cybercast News Service. "Will it succeed as a business, or will it require George Soros and other left-wing sugar daddies to bail it out, to keep it relevant and operating through next year's election?
"While they are sure to continue dishing out red meat to their Bush-hating audience, do they really have much to offer that isn't already presented in more moderate-sounding language on MSNBC, CNN and the other network news programs?" he asked.
"No excuses this time, Air America," Aronoff said. "The marketplace will tell the story."
Rough ride
As Cybercast News Service previously reported, Air America Radio was launched during early 2004 but encountered financial problems from the start.
By August of 2005, the network had grown from 16 stations to 70 outlets, but founder Evan Cohen was investigated by New York City regarding loans from the Gloria Wise Boys & Girls Club, and Air America had to repay more than $800,000 it had received from the charity.
A month later, the company began a fundraising effort "to continue this great success story and start shaping the national debate the way that Right Wing talk radio does every day."
After reaching a peak of 90 stations, Air America's financial problems worsened, leading the company to seek bankruptcy protection in October 2006. At that time, comedian Al Franken left to run for a U.S. Senate seat for Minnesota.
Last March, the network was purchased by Green Family Media. "Air America is a great idea and iconic name, but it's also been an underperforming asset with unrealized potential," said Chairman Stephen Green in a news release.
"We intend to stabilize its structure, programming and balance sheet - and then to turn it around by next year," he stated. "I'm a businessman used to making money, and Air America will be no exception."
Great idea. Be an alternative to the kind of radio people actually want to listen to.
>>After reaching a peak of 90 stations,
how accurate was that, though? In some cases a station would run only one AAR show, or they said at one time they’d
consider running one, so they got thrown on to the AAR
website as an “affiliate”. Several stations on the site
had since dropped the format but apparently word never
got to the webmaster.
from wikipedia:
>>AAR counts any station that carries their programming as an affiliate, similar to syndicates like ESPN Radio.
So if a station carried just one show they’d consider it an affiliate—and yes, they are, but when you hear “affiliate”
it makes you think that the entire lineup is being carried...such is not always the case.
It’s very simple.
The reason commercial liberal radio struggles can be boiled down to three letters: N P R end of story.
Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss...
yes supposedly WBUR (Boston Univ.) does very well for
listenership and has “sponsors” (going as far toward
being semi-commercial as the FCC will allow)
also
Apparently there’s a new blog site out there called airamericasucks.com but the blogger says he’s a liberal who does
like most of the hosts on AAR, and the ideas they express, but he has problems with AAR’s management. (”I will be criticizing their decisions on this blog.”)
A post from today, for example, says: “Apparently Monday Randi made a negative comment about the Mark Green interviews, and some on Randi’s message boards are speculating that Randi wasn’t sick today (as her website indicates). I sure hope there isn’t infighting, but I’ll tell you, Randi can do much better than Air America.”
So...he likes AAR (but not necessarily the management of it...) but calls the site airamericasucks...? hmm.
Shouldn’t they try to appeal beyond their limited base? I listen to hosts like Ingraham, Carr, Hannity, and Rush and you do hear liberals call in (so they’re listening, too) or
sometimes they’re on as guests (well, not nec. with Rush).
These shows entertain and go across the political spectrum,
even to those who disagree with most of the opinions.
Lib radio is just non-stop Bush and conservative bashing with very little entertainment/non-political stuff.
separated at birth, audio version: Robert F Kennedy Jr
and Katherine Hepburn (seen interviews on TV with him?
I keep expecting him to say, “oh Hoke, you’re mah
best friend!”)
But somebody has to listen first.
I wonder if this relaunch will have the same flotilla of friendly press coverage as the last one did. If stealing funds from kids doesn’t give one a lasting black eye, not much else will.
Outstanding FReeper comments BUMP!
Which youth charities do they plan to defraud this time? How much money from Soros and pals will be pumped into this leftist propaganda? How many fawning tributes from the MSM will try to help to pump up this dead donkey this time? How many millions of people will YAWN and ignore this tripe?
Those are the only questions that inquiring minds want answered.....
p.s. They already have their (well subsidized) leftist propaganda networks, called CNN, NPR, PBS, CBS, ABC, NBC, PMSNBC, etc..... no wonder Airhead America cannot get any traction, the market for vacuous, dishonest liberal agitprop is already saturated!!
New hosts could be a big improvement.
Alan Colmes comment about Air America:
I was disqualified from Air America because my resume included radio experience.
“You have to look at Air America in context. Too many people have said, ‘Look, it’s liberal. It failed,’ as if that’s why,” Harrison said. “The fact that they’re liberal or progressive is irrelevant to me. It has to do with talent and a good business plan.”
ROTFLMAO! Its this kind of LYING that doomed it the first time around. Two paragraphs previous to this statement you see ‘alternative to the bumper sticker Rush’ comment.
Air America failed because LIBERALISM IS A FAILURE.
Even Liberals won’t use the “L Word’ choosing ‘Progressive’ as a weak ‘cover’ that doesn’t work either.
The good news is it will lose millions again, that could be used to support liberal politicians in 08.
liberals always embrace failure so this is part-n-parcel.....
That will certainly bring in the listeners. Ha! Who is putting up the money this time?
Snicker....
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