Office Politics Give Liberal Radio a Rocky Start - NY Times AirAm article

[Teddy_Salad]

Even by the chaotic standards of a new media company, Air America Radio's first two months of broadcasting have been convulsive.

The fledgling talk-radio network has replaced five top executives, been taken off the air in two of its top three markets and lost several crucial producers. By late April, current and former executives said last week, the company was perilously close to running out of money. It has since received an infusion of cash, though it has not disclosed how much or from whom.

The roiling in Air America's front office has undercut its continuing assurances that it has the financing and leadership to survive past the presidential election in November, in pursuit of its goal of establishing a permanent liberal counterpart to Rush Limbaugh and his radio cohort on the right.

In a sign that the privately held company's financial woes have not fully abated, Al Franken, the network's best-known star, said in an interview last week that he had agreed not to draw a salary, however temporarily, making him "an involuntary investor.''

More here...
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/31/business/media/31air.html?ei=5062&en=707bcb9a3dc0e5f9&ex=1086580800&partner=GOOGLE&pagewanted=print&position=

[Kolesar]

1. Great ratings in Chicago though

A posting a few days ago showed AA beating out Limbaugh by huge margins among 18 to 35 year olds and slight margins for 25-55* year olds.

*55 I think it was 55

[Eric J in MN]

5. That was New York City. They're not on in Chicago (nt)

nt

[otohara]

2. My Local Paper, Didn't Print 1/2 of This Article

making AAR look like it was near death. All of the positive stuff about arbitron ratings were left out. GRRRRRRRR

[mzmolly]

3. I think that if the ratings continue to shine, the money will flow ....

and things will come together.

Thanks for posting the article, its interesting to know that Franken is not drawing a salary. He really is a man of integrity.

[Teddy_Salad]

4. Yeah, I've had my doubts but...

I think they have a great chance now to make it all work.

I certainly hope so, we need them.