I love it when they waste money so obviously!
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."
This time we're gonna be lots better because we got a talker named Lionel, and commentators Arianna Huffington, Mark Green, Bob Kerrey and Bob Shrum and 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.
Flush more Soros money down the toilet, please!
“At that time, comedian Al Franken left to run for a U.S. Senate seat for Minnesota.”
I hate to say it, but Minnesota is trying to make itself a laughing stock.
“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.
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True... all they have to do is dump all the libidiots who they are broadcasting there and taking share away from the ABCNNBC&PBS libidiot audience, then replace them with conservatives like Rush, Sean, Laura and Gallagher ... and the bottom line will turn around and they’ll start making money and audience ratings!
If Air America could grasp that concept, they wouldn’t be Air America.
There is a great diversity of political opinions in this country. I’ve wondered why Air America failed when there are numerous “blue states”, John Kerry got 48% of the vote, and many callers to Rush and others are calling to voice opposition.
Could it be that the more liberal / progressive / anarchist elements of society just don’t like to listen to their own types of people???? But some of them are willing to listen to conservatives because the conservatives can have an intelligent give and take discussion of issues???
A show's purpose is **NOT** to influence public opinion.
The purpose of a tv or radio show is to hold the attention of as many people for as long as possible so the network can charge confiscatory advertising fees to the sponsors.
And who wants to listen to a bunch of negative, pessimistic, hate filled, doom and gloomers for hours ..who, except a few wackos ?
Please. This is the same state that elected Jesse Ventura governor. They passed laughing stock long ago and are now just sad.
+ learned.
“Along with “proven veterans like Randi Rhodes, Thom Hartmann, Rachel Maddow and the Young Turks,”...
You mean the radio hosts that were so bad it helped drive it into bankruptcy?
All Hairball America did was screw their investors and debtors and erase their debt. The fact that an AA insider like Green was able to get control for pennies on the dollar is a crime.
What about all the stations they were “renting” to whom they owed millions of dolllars? Bankruptcy may erase those debts but why are they still in a contractual agreement to carry AA programming?
Air American is not a financial enterprise.
It is a pre-election campaign effort to defeat Republicans.
>> “The fact that they’re liberal or progressive is irrelevant to me. It has to do with talent and a good business plan.”
groan
Huh? They’re communists, for goodness sake! They don’t DO business so well. Nor are their “progressive” ideas a winner in the marketplace.
I’m glad to see they failed to learn their lesson, and they’re planning another hemorrhage of money from their “deep pockets”. They’re doomed to fail.
I love it when they waste money so obviously!
So was the Edsel.
A liberal talk radio blog admitted prog talk has gone from a peak of about 80 stations to around 40. Quite a few dropped the format in a few months’ time, often to
formats like sports which would be a better “sell”.
NEW FORMATS
In Boston, what was Air America is now Rumba, “Latin Pride”.
Burlington VT/Platts. NY: the women’s talk network
Akron OH and New Haven CT: syndicated sports
Columbus OH & Providence RI: conservative talk
So far the only effort to “save progressive talk” that was successful was in Madison, WI, where listeners prevented a switch to sports. The site nonstopradio.com provides
quick links to sites in the following cities, where
efforts are underway to bring the format back. Who knows
if they will be successful: “Akron, Boston, Cincinnati,
Columbus, Dallas, Duluth, Fresno, Missoula, New Haven
Sacramento”
In some places Air America is still on but on a weaker
signal, such as NY with WWRL (was WLIB)
Exactly. When the original Air America debuted, it was announced that they wanted to defeat George W. Bush as he was running for re-election. Odds are they want to influence the ‘08 election.
Despite its claims, Air America is NOT meant to succeed in the marketplace; it’s meant to be an 18-month, tax-deductible contribution to the Democrat Party.
ha ha ha. Proven to have NO LISTENERS!
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