Liberal Radio Group Says It Is Close to Acquiring 5 Stations

NYTIMES ^ | 12/01/03 | JIM RUTENBERG

[Pikamax]

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December 1, 2003 Liberal Radio Group Says It Is Close to Acquiring 5 Stations By JIM RUTENBERG

Democratic investment group planning to start a liberal radio network to counterbalance conservative radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh says it is close to buying radio stations in five major cities.

The acquisitions would represent a major move toward making the network real. After its conception was announced in February, many radio analysts and even some Democratic activists predicted that the network would face too many challenges to get off the ground, including finding stations to run its programming and bucking a historical record replete with failed liberal radio attempts.

But executives with the newly formed company, Progress Media, said late last week that if all went as planned they would have the network running by early spring, in time to be part of the public dialogue during the presidential campaign season.

The executives said the stations they were acquiring reached all radios in 5 of the 10 largest media markets: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Boston. They said they would buy stations in other markets in the near future.

[dirtboy]

The executives said the stations they were acquiring reached all radios in 5 of the 10 largest media markets: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Boston

Where they can preach to the choir.

[Mr. K]

I bet they discontinue Rush's show in all of their new stations. I am betting the station goes out of buinsess shortly thereafter. I think I like to see democraps spend their money in stupid ways.

[ken5050]

Anyone else noticed that the debut of the FoxNews radio net has gotten,like, zero publicity....Tony Snow will be the main host....

[KC_Conspirator]

Depsite setting up shop in an echo chamber, these shows are going to fail.

Most hosts have to be successful before they get to be in markets like New York, on prime time. This is all typical top down liberal thinking.

[chiller]

Amen.

[AppyPappy]

Cool. A hole to throw a liberal's money into.

[Scannall]

I think it's great. Talk about a giant money pit, sucking up all those liberal dollars into a black hole.

A great example of a "Giant Sucking Sound", to misquote Ross Perot.

Dan

[Eric in the Ozarks]

What ?
No stations in Des Moines or Omaha ?

[Kieri]

Both seaboards, eh?

This is another instance where those of us in "Flyover Country" are blessed. I won't have to worry about tuning in this drivel.

I do find it interesting they have to BUY their way into the market. Not that they'll earn any profits...

The only interesting thing about this is learning who will sponsor Al Franken. Some brave Freeper will have to tune in at least once and let us know which products to avoid.

[EggsAckley]

What I love is the fact that it's taken them so many years to realize the impact of talk radio. Years and years before thinking of joining the fray. Stupid, stupid liberals.

[michaelt]

I don't think they will or can buy the stations that Rush is on in those cities. They are too big.

I do think it is interesting that these guys have to buy stations in order to get their shows (and liberal message) on.

Rush doesn't own stations. Clear Channel, which owns Premiere Radio Networks, of which EIB is a part, does own lots of stations, but I don't think they own Rush's affiliates in New York, LA, and Philly. I'm not sure about SF and Boston.

[tractorman]

If Lib-Hate radio gets any following at all, it will put NPR out of business.

[dirtboy]

Cool. A hole to throw a liberal's money into.

I think it's great. Talk about a giant money pit, sucking up all those liberal dollars into a black hole.

Desperate times breed desperate measures...

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Oh yeah, I'd want to invest in this. Just think of all the money they'll dump into this wasteland that could have been used in campaigns. Beautiful :)

[Tai_Chung]

More liberal than National Public Radio?

Sounds like the Democrats are setting themselves up for an end-run around Campaign Advertising by having the Liberal Radio Group do Info-mericals for their candidates.

[OXENinFLA]

I can't wait for Tony's new show, I hope he come to JAX.

[Tai_Chung]

Oh yeah, I'd want to invest in this.

It's Liberal Radio, they won't need investors. They will find a way to make taxpayers pay for their programs and/or new laws to limit Conservative Radio.

[michaelt]

And as an aside, the one place where I lived where Clear Channel owned the local Rush station - Rochester NY - they actually tape-delayed the show two hours so they could put their own local host - the ill-fated Bob "Ned Flanders" Lonsberry - on.

A lot of pull Rush had there, getting delayed two hours.

[Andyman]

I for one am happy to see liberal radio coming to the air. I firmly believe the competitive environment is good for conservatives. The better liberal radio is, the better it will make conservative radio. Do I think it will happen? Not a chance. I think liberal radio is doomed to failure primarily because they are trying to buy their way into the market.