NYT: After Bankruptcy Filing, Recriminations Fly at Air America

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/18/business/media/18air.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print

In its search for a new chief executive this past summer, Air America Radio interviewed seasoned media executives in an effort to revive the faltering network. One interview took a bizarre turn, however, when the executive got into a political argument with Randi Rhodes, one of the network’s on-air hosts.

“I laughed and said, ‘You sound like Republican talking points,’ ” Ms. Rhodes recalled.

At Air America, business and politics always mixed, and that was the problem, critics contend. Begun with an onslaught of publicity in spring 2004 as an alternative to right-wing talk radio, the network is given some of the credit by its supporters for having helped achieve the Democrats’ Congressional election victory in November.

Detractors label the liberal network’s programming as combative, one-note and emotional. At least its business dealings seem to fit that last description. Even before Air America and its corporate parent, Piquant L.L.C., sought bankruptcy protection on Oct. 13, its management was engulfed in a series of financial crises. The search for new investors and managers has been marred by infighting among those who want the network to succeed, according to people in the organization.

In recent weeks, Air America, which has its headquarters in New York and reaches about 2.4 million listeners weekly, has suffered the defection of a handful of its more than 80 affiliated stations and soon faces the likely departure of its most visible host, Al Franken, even as it cobbles together a plan to emerge from Chapter 11.

going after the money instead of selflessly helping America get out of its ignorance.

While others were paid.

If he leaves, it's to kick Norm Coleman out of the Senate.

?

If the network is failing its failing....besides....he could be quitting to run for senate anyway.

He is owed 350,000.

Al is a millionaire many times over thanx to SNL, Movies, Books, and Speaking Fees.

He has been extremely generous w/ his money too.

and has worked for a reduced or absent salary.

Anybody who listened to him after the Wellstone funeral knows that.

Goof.

You don't bother to find out what you're talking about before typing, do you?

Can you say "boycott," boys and girls?

I knew you could.


http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=14213

US: Air America on Ad Blacklist?
ABC document: Sponsors shun liberal network

Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting
October 31st, 2006


An internal memo from ABC Radio Networks to its affiliates reveals scores of powerful sponsors have a standing order that their commercials never be placed on syndicated Air America programming that airs on ABC affiliates.
The October 25 memo was provided to FAIR by the Peter B. Collins Show, a syndicated radio show originating on the West Coast.
Headlined "Air America Blackout" and addressed "Dear Traffic Director"—referring to the radio station staffer who coordinates programming and advertising—the memo gives the following order to affiliates:

Please be advised that Hewlett Packard has purchased schedules with ABC Radio Networks between October 30th and December 24th, 2006. Please make sure you blackout this advertiser on your station, as they do not wish it to air on any Air America affiliate.
The directive then advises ABC Radio Network affiliates to take note of a list of other sponsors who do not want their programming to run during Air America programming.

Please see below for a complete list of all advertisers requesting that NONE of their commercials air within Air America programming.
The list, totaling 90 advertisers, includes some of largest and most well-known corporations advertising in the U.S.: Wal-Mart, GE, Exxon Mobil, Microsoft, Bank of America, Fed-Ex, Visa, Allstate, McDonald's, Sony and Johnson & Johnson. The U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Navy are also listed as advertisers who don't want their commercials to air on Air America.

more...

A radio DUer explained that almost all radio talkers have blacklists, even Rush.

Some companies don't like to take a chance that they'll be associated with someone who makes an offensive statement or they just don't like to be associated with the host's politics.

A NYT hit piece, as usual. Damn librul media!

I wonder if "ELIZABETH JENSEN" or "LIA MILLER" have even bothered to listen to the radio lately. That description fits 99.9% of all talk radio, and it's hard right-wing radio.

"Detractors label the liberal network’s programming as combative, one-note and emotional." A NYT hit piece, as usual...

The LEAST they could have done was pointed out the RIGHT-wing radio has those very same qualities, AND that they're mangaging to stay in business! Fair and balanced, guys--ever heard of it???

:mad:
rocknation

I know from going to protests and demonstrations that we have AirAmerica to credit for a lot of people showing up who never would have otherwise.



Cher

I apreciate him donating his time and all that but he sucks as a radio host IMHO. Bores me to tears every time I listen to him. If it wasnt for his guests, which he seems to have trouble letting talk,
There would be very little redeemable about his show.

Give Sam and Randi the power hours they are about the only shows left with passion.

I'm not surprised, because we aren't ditto heads.

We want debate, not complete agreement.

If they want to pull it out, they should have shows where they debate equally capable freepers. That would be interesting and entertaining.

Clearly, there's a lot of interest in the network -- and there wasn't quite as much debt as I thought there was. Ultimately, AAR may need to do what the Drobnys are trying to do: purchase stations and put their programming on while syndicating. We know that the Schultzzzzzz people have better bid-ness-men, but AAR has better programming, and an old-fashioned radio war may be the best thing to happen to progressive talk if it means getting more people to both stations.

And the one thing that's clear: they aren't about to go off the air.

The rest is soap opera stuff.

“What they did for $45 million they could have done for $10 million,” said Sheldon Drobny, an investor with a contentious relationship with the network. Mr. Drobny and his wife, Anita, longtime Democratic activists, are credited with the idea for Air America.

Kinda what I have always suspected, drilled a 1' hole with a 10' auger.

The Drobnys have started their own network, Nova M Radio, which has two stations and two talk hosts, Mike Newcomb and a former Air America broadcaster, Mike Malloy. They are courting other liberal media people to do programs for the 15 to 20 affiliates they said will soon join them. Mr. Drobny called the effort, “the second coming of Air America.” Mr. Kelly said Air America is also in “active discussions” with new progressive hosts and hopes to add an investigative unit if his group is successful.

Seems to me the Drobney's have a lot better idea on how to start a small business.

Mr. Kreeger added that “it will be up to us to really create compelling content” and lure affiliates back. Until then, there is an existing deal with XM Satellite Radio and the network’s Web site, which he said had “absolute untapped potential for 24/7 online streaming that has never been effectively monetized.”

And why not?

He was the best talent ever on radio. He pissed people off, but that was OK with me. He also was hysterically funny.

subbing for Sam. Just got finished listening to the download of today's show and he sounded just like the Marc we came to know and love on MS.

The idea of an investigative unit is very cool. Maybe the blossoming of a true "liberal media"?

I prefer public radio. It's much less stressful. Between public radio and the news links on DU, I get a pretty good picture of what's going on. I don't need anybody to tell me how to feel about what's going on. I can do that all by myself.

just about unlistenable, with the occasional syndicated exception, especially Marketplace, corporate shillsters nonpareil

where's Laborplace?

Left of center maybe, but they seem to have always had good integrity. Moderate maybe, but I think calling then "National Petroleum Right wing Radio" is a bit of hyperbole, no?

I always learn. Al has the best 'famous' guests, and I would suggest that very often, information unavailable through any other means is to be found in these interviews.

Randi Rhodes is brilliant. Sam Seder is brilliant. This network has changed my life significantly, and frankly, I wish I could buy the damn thing and end all this doom and gloom talk. I think it's a matter of time before the model takes off -- in fact, I think conservatives find it attractive as well, and therefore very dangerous. Anything can happen on AAR. Wildness abounds, and creativity, and love. Never do I hear ditto-liberal-speak. I hear the pulse of the USA, that's what I hear.

It took Fox how many years of losing billions to finally get in the black? Now, that's ditto-speech for you. Carefully scripted, nothing outside the box.

AAR is not just important -- it's an information stream that takes disparate opinions and sorts them, examines them, and sometimes even brings them together. Sort of like the Magnificent Democratic Underground.

If there weren't an ideologically-motivated attempt to kill it, I think it would be in fine shape. If advertisers were just going by Arbitron ratings instead of making stupid and cowardly judgements about right-wing reaction, AAR would be wildly successful.

It's a New Information thing. It's too valuable, not as a mouthpiece or dogmatic propaganda machine, but as a new type of information stream. Those who do not listen will not learn, and those who listen will profit for it.

I have. Greatly.

All except for Big Ed.

Well said!