Air America has a staff meeting at 11AM EST today

For you AAR interested folks, they have an internal staff meeting at 11AM EST this morning. As many of you know AAR has filed for bankruptcy protection. Today is the final day of the court ordered extension for AAR to announce a restructing, new financing or a new buyer.

Who knows what will come out of the meeting this morning. It could be a black Friday laying off scenario or the announcement of a new owner/operator. Either way, things will be changing for AAR today.

Also, it is rumored that Al Franken is having a party at his house for his radio staff and others this Sunday. The thinking is he may announce his retirement from AAR and his moving forward to run for Norm Coleman's Minnesota Senate seat in 2008.

This would make sense out of the decision for Ed Schultz (Jones Radio) to move his current three hour radio show to Franken's current Noon to 3PM EST daily time slot.

AAR could become a much smaller syndicated show producer/distributer keeping only Seder 9A-noon, Randi Rhodes 3p-6p and Thom Hartman 12noon to 3PM. They would be able to focus on getting those shows on many more stations.

Is it coincedence that Seder is out for the day? Nothing this station does can be taken at face value.

Was he lying?

Where is he moving to? Or does that mean he's moving to another gig?

now that he has a kid).

Marton said Seder is moving to the upper Hudson Valley area, in the area between Albany and NYC, around Hudson and Poughkipsee.

"They" sent him upstate so "they" can launch their evil plan!

Pay attention!!

:sarcasm:

I used to listen to Morning Sedition, and then Rachel Maddow in the morning. AAR had really built up a rock-solid presence on WLIB -- every cab driver in NY had AAR on in the car (now they're back to switching between NPR and Amy Goodman on WBAI). Since they've moved to WWRL, it's been a disaster. Armstrong Williams in the morning? Disaster.

Just as Malloy has been resurrected, their shows are just too damned good - not just in political philosophy but also in pure radio value - to go away.

And, btw, it is EASY to set up pirate radio - both internet and air - so I suggest a small investment in equipment and prepare to take the hand-off in a worst case scenario. Bwahahahaha...

I know that Alex Jones' show is on shortwave. He is also on podcast and webradio, but it's only a matter of time before the webradio is crippled along with the rest of the popular web thanks to Internet2. This last election showed the RW'ers the power of a free, populist media. The Youtubeguys are even nominated for Time's person of the year. I predict that the web's time is limited.

I like Al as a personality, but given a choice for Progressive Talk Radio, I'd pick Hartmann. Franken had said earlier that he was going to be making a decision (rather, announcing his decision) after the holidays.

You have to give a big Thank You! to Al and Jeanine for signing on at the beginning, though. Their star power were able to bring AAR and Progressive Talk to the scene with a bang. Those inside-the-Beltway movers and shakers who put their resources together and implement a plan to boost popular Progressive personalities into the mainstream on a national level was fundamental to motivating people.

BTW, anyone heard any updates about the new talent search that was being conducted?

First it is illegal as hell and the FCC has really been cracking down lately on pirates. Second, if caught, it is punishable by jail time and a $250K fine.

I agree that their shows will be fine. If AAR simply closed the doors today and stopped operating...Rhodes, Seder and Hartman would all get picked up shortly, like Malloy, by a local station that would end up streaming and syndicating their shows.

huh? wha?

Out here in Chicago burbs, our local affiliate is Jones. If Big Ed's moving to noon, I just might be getting my errands done earlier in the day. LOL! ('cause I can listen on the car radio)

It will actually be 11A to 2P Chicago Central time.

the WCPT website. They announced changes to come, but aren't being specific as to when or what.

"New Line-Up Coming Soon
New Line-Up Coming Soon
Chicago (11/29/2006 07:46 PM) — Here at WCPT we know that there have been a lot of changes in the Progressive Talk world lately...and we try to let you know what's going on as soon as we find out. That's why we wanted to tell you that there will be a change in our daily line-up soon. We're not sure what our line-up will eventually look like, but you can rest assured that WCPT will continue to bring you the most exciting and informative talk line-up that Chicago has to offer. Stay tuned to WCPT for all the latest updates, and keep checking wcpt850.com...our listeners are the most important part of what we do, that's why we make such an effort keep you informed. If you want to be the first to hear about our changes, just go to the main page and sign up for the 850 Club. 850 Club Members also get acess to special offers from our sponsers and giveaways from WCPT. Thanks for supporting WCPT, Chicago's Progressive Talk...without you, there is no us! "

Now, if we could just get the FCC to get that station to be 24 hours instead of a daytimer...*sigh*

Hartmann will replace Franken

http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2006/12/stations-start-shuffling-lineups.html

And WCPT can't broadcast at night due to KOA in Denver on the same frequency.

The same network that produces The Stephanie Miller show.

starting in December. WCPT in the Chicago burbs here has run a Best-of Stephanie on the weekends for as long as I can remember so I suspect she's alluding to some new development.

so he's probably going to run.

Why?

Because it is NOT propaganda. It is a covering of the issues, not from a "liberal" standpoint but, from a truth perspective...in other words, reality based....something unique for the times we live in.

This is from "bob" at http://airamericaplace.com/boards/index.php?s=&showtopic=18860&view=findpost&p=160888">Air America Place's message board (he's the person who's in charge of the podcasts):

:bounce:

Limbaugh, which might put the screws to Franken (has smaller audience) and might hasten the demise of AAR.....

We'll see....