Air America and liberal radio: what would you change?

[welshTerrier2]

the article below basically says that Air America needs to make some serious changes ... i've seen all sorts of contradictory data over the last year that talked about how AA is doing great in some markets or doing really lousy in others ... overall, one gets the sense they're doing fairly well but that some very real changes need to be made ...

i mostly listen to Stephanie Miller (Jones Radio) and a little bit to Franken ... i don't do much radio listening at night ... that means no Randi Rhodes for me because her show is not broadcast here until the evening ... Ed Schultz has the afternoon timeslot after Franken ...

my take on the article below is that it contains a disturbing element of truth ... whether it should be the way the author suggests or not, to be successful on the radio requires more "entertainment value" than AA is providing ... i know the various DJ's have their enthusiastic supporters but that is not the test of whether the network will be commercially successful in the long run ... friends who don't listen to talk radio love listening to Stephanie Miller ... they love the Daily Show and they love Colbert ... but they just don't get into Franken or Schultz or Randi or Malloy ... maybe that's unfortunate; it's also reality ...

it's too bad that as voters we need to sugar coat our news and information with insult humor and satire and an element of entertainment ... we should be able to sit down and spend some time getting informed about the world we live in no matter how dry the material may be ... unfortunately, that just doesn't seem to be the case ...

so, the question is, do you agree that AA needs to make some significant changes? do you agree there needs to be greater entertainment value and more political satire? and finally, what changes, if any, do you think AA needs to make? i hope we can get beyond the shallow "People Magazine" comments like Mr. X or Ms. Y should have their own show ... discussing personalities is fine but i'd like to hear some ideas with a longer term view that gets beyond the DJ's and focusses on the content ...

source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-young/note-to-air-america-watc_b_28111.html

No, liberal talk is not ready to go under, though if they don't reassess their approach soon, finding a signal strong enough to hear a broadcast past the stations's parking lot may soon be in the offing.

In participating as both a liberal talk host and listener, I have not changed my mind one iota as to what can make liberal talk work, and for the most part, it hasn't been the philosophy the present powers to be. When I was on the air I was told that we were supposed to be the right wing radio for the left. And for the most part, liberal talk and their hosts have mimicked right wing talk: hard driving, one note ideology with no risk-taking creativity to speak of. Nothing an intelligent, liberal listener would buy for more than a few moments. <skip>

So much of politics is absurd. Anytime you have such distinct sides with each believing they are so damn right, there's got to be plenty to laugh at. The fact is, political satire teaches us in maddening terms. It exposes the farce of the actions of the powerful, many of whom we elected. To not make that a large part of the discussion is to ignore the elephant (and donkey) in the room. <skip>

There's plenty of comedy talent out there, but satire isn't enough. A sense of how you come across on radio is needed too. Funny can't be taught. Radio comes with experience. Air America, as well as local stations need to bring on the funny people and show them how radio can work for them. At the same time, programmers and station managers must be willing to learn all talk radio is not the same, least of all, liberal talk. It doesn't mean there is no room for serious discussion, or partisan cheerleading, but let's give the liberal audience some credit for being more than pablum munchers. If we don't they soon won't care what you're serving up. They won't be there to listen.

[The HL]

1. LESS GODDAM COMMERCIALS

It is ridiculous, they must play about 35 minutes out of every hour in commercials.

[PresidentWar]

3. Commercials pay the bills.

I dont like them either, but from what I hear, AA is in a near constant struggle with the bottom line. Until listenership is bigger, they won't have the draw of bigger dollar advertisers, which means they will have to rely on many more smaller paying advertisers.

I hope this changes for them soon.

[Fire Walk With Me]

37. True and sad... I've stopped listening due to the amount of commercials.

I can't take it. I love Air America, but they should have online fundraisers or explore other means to improve the signal to noise ratio.

[Eric J in MN]

6. 20-23 minutes per hour of AAR is commercials.

I agree that's too much.

[howmad1]

38. I timed the commercials.

Between 33 and 35 minutes per hour. I don't mind commercials and realize they do pay the bills but, 1/3rd of each hour is just crazy. I usually switch to NPR during commercials and forget to return to AAR. Some of those commercials are so incredibly stupid.
Especially frustrating while listening to intelligent talk from Randy or Mike Malloy. then to be exposed to sheer stupidity is a complete turn-off. I'd be happy to contribute bucks to AAR to reduce or eliminate commercials.

BTW, if I hear one more Ovaltine commercial with those rotten kids screaming about Ovaltine, I will throw my radio at somebody. :mad:

[GOTV]

56. The podcasts...

... which cut out the commercials almost always come to be about one hour and 53 minutes. So that means over the course of a 3 hour problem there's a little more than 1/3 commercials.

btw, pay for the podcasts. No commercials and your dollars go to AAR.

[omega minimo]

19. THE COMMERCIALS ARE FOR IDIOTS. AAR LISTENERS ARE NOT IDIOTS.

The AM style commercials are just as boneheaded as on any other AM station-- yet the audience is informed and not stupid.

I'm about ready to boycott AAR if they keep playing those malecentric homoerotic stalker "Feel The PreLove" Jetta commercials!!!!!!!!!!!! :grrr:

[PresidentWar]

21. Until all rich liberals want to kick in.....

and support AA Radio independently, you're stuck with commercials - good or bad.

Sorry, that's just the reality of the radio market.

[omega minimo]

22. what law says commercials have to be moronic?

why not different commercials for a non-moronic market?

[CrushTheDLC]

30. Gotta agree with you there.

Hopefully, they can get more advertisers so each commercial only runs once per hour, instead of the same 6 ads back to back every 15 minutes. And for Christ's sake dump the Ovaltine ads, the crankhead waitress dumping coffee, the barking search dog, and the ads where they repeat the phone number or URL 30 times in 20 seconds (www.homebusiness.pyramidscam...that's www.homebusiness.pyramidscam ....in case you missed that, it's www.homebusiness.pyramidscam. Did I mention that our website was www.homebusiness.pyramidscam!!!)

[PresidentWar]

35. "Law" doesn't have anything to do with it.

Unless you mean the law of the marketplace. All commercial radio lives or DIES by ad revenues. And if that means putting up a stupid commercial to advertise for a stupid product, that's what it means. I didn't write the rules of that game, but I worked in the field for long enough to know thats what the score is. Might as well bite the bullet and take the cash for a few stupid commercials so you can continue to be on the air and re-educate the public, says I.

[omega minimo]

40. YRU missing the point on purpose & avoiding the question?

If it's a different (non-moronic) market and target audience, why run standard AM (moronic) commercials?

[rurallib]

2. Owning the radio stations would help

One of the big things that RW radio has is that the stations that carry them have a vested interest in their success, whereas AA and its ilk get the leftovers which are often the 1000 watt fringe stations that are on the auction block. Even at that disadvantage, lib radio has made some great inroads.
One of the big things that RW radio has is a huge group of followers that innundate stations anytime they hear something they don't like. We seldom even bother to call stations and say Thanks for carrying AA. Believe me, stations do respond to consumer mail. We were able to get a local station to change with an email campaign!
Another thing is that RW has a huge bullpen with a Rush wannabe in almost every hamlet in the land. And it takes no brains to be a Rush wannabe - just a loud mouth and capability to read the talking points and an asshole personality. This bullpen has been 25 years in the making.
Lib radio is barely 2 years old and the numbers continue to grow by leaps and bounds. They are talent thin since there have been few local liberal radio hosts. Many of those who are liberal have been pulled by their stations. As example, there was a guy on KDKA in Pittsburg that I used to be able to get after dark. He was pulled and replaced with O'Reilly.
Yet they do have some decent talent but they are not showcased at the best times. Stephanie Miller is simply the best show on the radio, right left or middle. Ed Schultz has some entertainment value, but I would venture that Randi Rhodes is much better. Yet since ClearChannel owns the stations, they give us Schultz. Sam Seder(Majority Report) is great but in the evening there simply is not the listeners. Rachel Maddow in thge morning is good but as an avowed lesbian she puts fear into some people.
As for me, I think Stephanie is tops, followed by Thom Hartmann who doesn't even get on the air much because Franken has the noon slot. I'd put Maddow and Sam Seder in 3rd place, both very, very entertaining. Randi & Mike Malloy next, then Franken, Schultz and last Jerry Springer (to me this guy is boring). The early morning guy I can seldom hear (Mark Maron?) so id will not judge.
My point is that there is good talent though thin. But without owning the bullhorn it is hard to get the message out. BUT REMEMBER when drugRush started it took years and years for him to build. We feel a need to do it much quicker.
Please be sure to call or write your local AA affiliate and show them some love.

[earthside]

4. Less 'Democrat'

Well, for starters, I'd like to see Air America become more 'progressive' and less of a microphone for the establishment Democratic Party.

Just going to the same old Democratic Party pundits and officeholders does nothing to 'expand the base'.

Which is why I find Al Franken tremendously boring -- same schtick for way too long.

In my opinion, I think Sam Sedar maybe the best talker out there ... they ought to put him in Franken's slot. I agree that Stephanie Miller is amusing, irreverant, and is different ... reminds me of Morning Sedition. Air America should put take her national.

Thom Hartman is also underused talent.

I love Randi.

But mostly I want to hear more "out there" politics ... not because I agree with it, but because it is entertaining, thought provoking, and fresh.

Air America should possibly consider creating a program that is a 'progressive' version of 'Coast-to-Coast AM'. Wouldn't it be cool to have a radio show that was dedicated to conspiracy theories and political intrigue?

[jen4clark]

31. I agree with your ideas, earthside

I think you could produce a radio station I'd listen to 24/7!
:thumbsup:

[Eric J in MN]

5. I'd like it if Katherine Lanpher returned to "The Al Franken Show."

NT

[acmejack]

8. I think Franken Blows, whereas Thom Hartmann rules!

And has the Ratings to back it up! Hartmann is kicking Franken's tail in that timeslot.

[CrushTheDLC]

11. I agree. Hartmann is far better than Franken.

That's the biggest flaw in the new AAR schedule, if that is indeed official. I'm an XM listener and if they gave us a vote of which show to carry in the time slot, it would definitely be Thom Hartmann. Al, like Jerry, just doesn't translate very well to radio.

[LaPera]

7. Stronger stations in key markets are essential-DC, Chicago, as well as

find stations in two of the largest markets in the country, Philadelphia & Houston.

Personalities will always come and go...that goes for ALL radio & television always has been true always will be.

Air America Radio has some excellent host and some very weak ones...AAR should consider Thom Hartmann, Peter B Collins and Peter Werbe as replacements...but AAR is hard-headed and will always stay with the dry & boring Franken, instead of Hartmann in the same time slot...If you've never listen to the excellent Thom Hartmann than you don't have a clue to what I'm talking about!!!

But most of all AAR needs strong signals in ALL 25 of the top markets in the country and the rest will fall into place. (smaller markets & on air personalities)

SUPPORT AIR AMERICA RADIO (Subscribe to Premium).

www.airamericaradio.com

[Eric J in MN]

16. I agree. They should get stations in Philadelphia and Houston. NT

NT

[Kingofalldems]

9. They made a good start recently

Springer's gone. He was awful, no fight whatsoever.

[truedelphi]

10. I'm always surprised at these well-written analyses of AAR

That somehow miss the most important point - much of the nation cannot receive Air America.

The radio stations across the land are owned by the right wing. In certain markets, like San Francisco, the station owners know that the demographics are a force to be taken into account - and Voila - you get Air America on AM 960. (Even though Clear Channel owns 960)

Two hours out in the country and you cn't get it.

Real enthusiast who already know about AAR canlisten in on the internet - but that means the stationis not picking up new listeners.

How many itmes have I heard a caller in to Randi Rhoades say, "Well I used to be a Republican but I had to listen to your show cause in my area you are the only one on and now I am thinking differently"

that needs to happen all over the country, not just the big cities.

[CrushTheDLC]

13. Then promote XM radio in those areas.

There's no such thing as a state where you can't get AAR. It's just a question of whether you're willing to own "optional equipment" to do so. And then of course there are those who travel regularly on business, like truck drivers for example. Many of them are already wired to XM or Sirius simply so they don't have to switch radio stations every hour. Talk radio's a favorite of a lot of those guys, so let them know where the best talk radio is, 167 XM (Air America) and whatever the liberal channel on Sirius is (whomever they have on their lineup).

I bought XM because my local AAR AM station's signal is fairly weak in my car and non existant at home or in the office. I've never been sorry for doing so.

[PaDem]

12. I'm in a very blue city and I can't get Air America...........

I do however get Bill Bennett, Laura Ingraham, Dennis Prager, Hugh Hewitt, Michael Medved, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Matt Drudge, Michael Savage, Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly. The Republicans are still kicking our butts on the airwaves. Why is Air America not available in the Philly Market? It was ever so briefly and then went off the air.

[snowbear]

25. Wow.. bummer PADem!

I'm in a red state (Alaska) ..although Anchorage is 50/50.. but we get Air America 24 hours a day! Anchorage was one of the cities to initially get a station to for AAR, so we've had it since right after they went on the air.

Our station has AAR, Jones Radio (Big Ed & Steph) and two local progressive shows.

Do people in your area speak out for AAR? That worked in Phoenix when a Christian station took over AAR and knocked them off the air.. Evidently the continual cries from those who wanted it back eventually prevailed!

[PaDem]

44. I haven't heard any outcry...........

in fact there was a station (albeit a weak one) that was carrying Al Franken and Randi Rhodes. That lasted for maybe half a year, and they were gone.

[ihelpu2see]

27. No crap, in CT on TIC AM we get Rush, Hannity, and Drudge No AAR

really reaches the Hartford market. I end up podcasting the Maddow show and others.

[cannonfire]

14. Must AAR be 100% political?

Political shows appeal only to those who share the underlying philosophy. I have long felt tht AAR should have a major program dedicated (in large part) to the entertainment industry. Lots of big names would show up. Non-political listeners in the red states would feel compelled to listen in. And along the way, they might gain exposure to viewpoints they might never otherwise have heard.

About the commercials: I understand the need for them. The number of commercials does not bother me. What bothers me is that they've been running the SAME commercials (on the internet feed) for roughly a year. I know most of them by heart. I stopped listening to AAR because I just can't take those things any more. When the sponsors record new ads, I might listen in again.

Is Springer off? I didn't think he was so bad!

[Eric J in MN]

15. The rumored schedule doesn't include Jerry Springer, but

...we won't know for sure until mid-September when the new schedule goes into effect.

[CrushTheDLC]

17. Well, there's Eco-Talk.... and State of Belief

Those deal with other topics besides partisan politics. But if you want something like the "E" channel or "Entertainment Tonight", I doubt that's going to happen.

Springer's not gone yet, but the new schedule has been "leaked" and Jerry isn't on it. However, he IS going to be on the ABC series "Dancing With The Stars" which probably means Jerry knew his days were numbered for a while.

[tomreedtoon]

18. A few specific suggestions.

1) Get Randi Rhodes a co-host. She sits and talks about whatever SHE wants on her show. She runs into commercial breaks. She has few callers. She needs someone to react against, and someone to occasionally tell her to SHUT UP.

2) On the Internet feed, get something besides music to play during the "local break" slots. It wouldn't hurt for them to do what other networks do: broadcast PSA's during that time. Of course, they would have the option of broadcasting PSA's for groups with progressive agendas, instead of just the standard Boy Scout/Arbor Day things.

For that matter, I wouldn't mind a little sponsorship in those internet feeds, so they could make back the money it costs to host those feeds.

3) There are a lot of listeners out there who could record things and send them in. You want more entertainment value? How about having contests for listener-supplied bits and segments?

4) How about a host somewhere to do a more black, urban, street-level show? Kind of like what Chuck D used to do? Something for those people who are dirt poor and struggling - you know, the people that progressive causes say they want to help?

[CrushTheDLC]

28. Chuck D is still on AAR on Sunday nights.

I'm listening to him right now, in fact. I wouldn't mind at all if they gave him one of the daily one hour or two hour slots on the new schedule.

[omega minimo]

20. If there was to be a template, Thom Hartmann is tops

He is affable, informative, witty, brilliant and his "Radical Middle" approach is the best I've heard to do what Democrats need to do.

Stephanie Miller Show:
- Great way to start the day laughing-- and they are as smart as they are funny.

Al Franken
- Not funny since Katherine left. His huge ego sucks all the air out of the room. Unlistenable.

Randi Randi Randi
- I love Randi but can't listen to her when she's on a harangue (and can't listen at work cuz her sound irritates people) or does that sing song thing: da da da DA, da da da DA, da da da DA. Must be an East Coast thing. It's understandable where her emotion is coming from, but makes it hard to listen for the information.

Sam Seder
- STOP YELLING!!!!!!!1

Mike Malloy
- Can do no wrong. Brilliant. Cathartic. Always spot on. Funniest at his darkest...................

Ed Schultz
- Can't listen to the good ol boy schtick and don't believe he's a liberal

"Satire" is not the answer. We are Through The Looking Glass-- who needs satire when you have clips of Bush trying to talk? Information and personality that appeals to a nationwide (not just an East Coast) audience is what will work.

[Cosmocat]

48. Yeah ...

I agree with those who tout Hartmann ... He is SHARP, S H A R P, has a nice, smooth style, and has a very stable temperment and manners ...

I agree with all the critical notes about Franken, but I still like him ... He has a great lineup of guests, but as noted, needs someone to reign him him ...

Randi ... I don't share the same level lf appreciation for her that others do ... Her borishness is one thing, but what really bothers me is that she, more so than any other liberal radio talk show personality, is prone to giving false information/exaggerations ... I expect that from the right wing hacks, it is who they are and what they do ... But, what makes us the good guys is that we speak the truth, and again, more so than any other radio personality on the left I have listened to, Randi plays fast and loose with the facts ...

Seder is great, but he does need to modulate his tone a little more ...

I also think Malloy is very good ... Almost as smart as Hartmann, and mean, and nothing wrong with that ...

I like Schultz ... Not everyone on the left needs to be dark blue ... He also is VERY important to bring the downhome types over from the dark side ...

[sandyd921]

23. I disagree with the commentary

by Steve Young. All political satire is not what I want in liberal radio. I certainly believe that humor is essential and I especially enjoy Stephanie Miller and greatly miss Morning Sedition. However, I am also looking for interviews with people who have interesting slants on issues and insightful commentary from a progressive point of view. In these crazy times of the takeover of our government by neo-con/theocratic/fascist forces, I also listen to liberal radio for information about what is happening within the progressive movement. What I want is variety and I believe that there is good quality programming out there, some of it on AAR and some of it from other sources. Besides Stephanie Miller, some of the better shows/hosts out there include Thom Hartmann, Peter B. Collins, and Sam Seder. There are others I can take or leave or that are not my cup of tea. However, the beauty of the recent growth of liberal talk radio is that more and more there is something for everyone.

Unlike Steve Young and so many others I do not disparage AAR or other liberal radio. A few years back all I had that I felt that I could listen to was NPR. I'm very grateful that I now have real listening choices. Because I have limited access to terrestrial liberal radio stations, I have discovered the many options for streaming progressive radio content (including the streams of progressive radio stations all over the US, as well as the official AAR feed). More terrestrial radio stations would be great as far as getting progressive ideas out to many more people across the country, but I believe that it's just a matter of time before this happens on a much wider scale. I think that it may grow faster if we can find ways to support liberal radio, for example by getting a membership in AAR Premium or by working to bring progressive radio to our areas or to save it where it's threatened (like the folks in Phoenix did).

[marmar]

24. I like Stephanie Miller's show a lot, but...

I would not want too many shows like hers in the lineup. It's a lot of fun, but kind of esoteric. You need shows with a deeper examination of the issues, and a host who can kick butt with facts (ala Hartmann OR Randi OR Sam) when Reich wing callers or guests are on the show. Stephanie is tremendously funny, but she never seems confident in her knowledge when a right winger calls in.

[ihelpu2see]

26. Shout out to Rachel Maddow... The best show they have and Kent Jones

is very funny.... The show is moving time slots to an eve. drive time next month I think. But the show is great she is tops as far as research and very bright.

Franken is OK and I agree that Tom Hartmann is very good. I also, when I get the chance, listen to Ring of Fire.

[drbtg1]

57. If Dr. Maddow moves to evenings,...

...this could also make continued appearances on MSNBC (a network in greater flux than AAR) easier for all parties.

Can anybody confirm the possibility of a Maddow move?

[orleans]

29. randi recently signed a 3 year contract and malloy (i think) signed

a two (?) year

yeah, sounds like aar is really doing terrible

:sarcasm:

the station in arizona--i think aar got back on the air because some liberals raised money and BOUGHT THE STATION!

(we should do more of that!)

[blues90]

32. I don't listen to all the AAR shows however

I have heard all of them . Each has it's place , each host does a good job and each show is different . I prefer Mike Malloy's show over all because he includes alot of politics and does his rants and takes calls and there is humor , even though much is dark humor it is my kind of humor .

It is one of the few networks that we who want can get real news and links to more .

I liked the morning sedition I don't think they went too
far I;m not sure why it was removed .

I also like Randi's show and Hartman , Hartman is not part or AAR but we can stream it of hear it on sunday rebroadcast .

I don't like to start off the day with talk radio so i don't listen much to Steph. Miller but I've head it , it is only on a local station with a weak signal , i can get it at home or in the car but it fades .

I liked the line up the way it has been with The majority report before Malloy and after Randi . I tend to count on things so changes are not my deal .

[GOPS Worst Fear]

33. I would tell AA to Sign Guy James!!!

He is one of the best talk show host in the country. Get rid of Springer.

[GOPS Worst Fear]

34. I would tell AA to Sign Guy James!!!

He is one of the best talk show host in the country. Get rid of Springer.

[thatsrightimirish]

36. sign bernie ward

he's great

[PBass]

39. The TERRIBLE Advertising campaign... the WORST...

Remember that?

"BUSHED?"
and a photo of a AAR host.

They certainly paid BIG BUCKS for that awful ad campaign, that said absolutely nothing, even if you were already a liberal and knew who was in the photo. I'd bet a thousand bucks it was a complete FAILURE, as a promotional tool.

TERRIBLE TERRIBLE mismanagement at AAR...

A good example was AAR getting rid of Marc Maron, who was (IMO) a liberal, smarter, less offensive version of Howard Stern (love Stern or hate him, he's the most popular talk radio host ever)... someone who can attract YOUNG people to the left. Now we are left with Mark Riley, who is (I'm very sorry to say) just terrible. Probably the worst host on AAR. How was letting Maron go an improvement?

If you look at how AAR has changed the schedule, let some people go while hiring others (Jerry Springer, holy smokes!!!!) it appears that they lack a clear and coherent vision. And I guess Danny Fields is gone (already????) Why can't they keep a stable, competent management team there?

I am a huge AAR fan and listen all day, every day.
-Their best hosts are Maddow, Franken and Seder. They are the smartest, best prepared, and deliver the information in ways that is easy to listen to.

-Randi Rhodes yells at people who call her show, even when they agree with her, and she talks over people. Maybe that is considered good radio but it's hard to listen to. I liked her briefly, now she grates. Randi, if you don't want to let other people talk, why do you take phone calls in the first place?

-Malloy can be guilty of the same thing, although I much prefer him to Randi Rhodes. He's not even on the air in NYC... they pre-empted him for the Sattellite Sisters, right after Malloy won an award for best NY talk radio show (!!!)

-Springer is someone who your grandma can listen to... he talks slow and acts kindly. That part is good, but he is a major liability because of that awful (hateful) TV show. What if Larry Flynt did a liberal talk radio show, would AAR hire him too? Hopefully whoever hired Springer is long gone.

The specific political beliefs of a host are NOT what makes a show "good" or "bad"... The Left is a "big tent" and there needs to be a range of opinions and styles for delivery. However, berating people who agree with you should be considered off limits.

A good indication of how CLUELESS the management at AAR is... for the last month, Sam Seder has been telling people that he wasn't sure AAR was going to pick up his contract (they finally did, I guess). Here's possibly the BEST host on AAR, absolutely BRILLIANT, telling people on the air (!) that AAR management doesn't know if they are going to keep him around! That is just shameful!!!!

Hopefully by promoting Maddow and Seder (to better time slots, respectively), this is an indication that AAR management is starting to get a clue!!! How are liberals supposed to convince the public they can manage the government, when they can't properly manage a RADIO STATION??????

Why arent there new Air America ads EVERYWHERE???

[Exiled in America]

54. A word on Randi:

I don't think you're wrong about what you say about Randi. However, I find that I love to listen to her show, because she is personally so brilliant and her analysis in addition to being hard-hitting and typically factually accurate, she is also witty and delivers information in very engaging ways.

That said, I find my least favorite part of her shows is when she goes to the phone. Randi is great when she's giving a monologue, but clearly I think we can all probably concede she has a quite an ego to match her talent, and it tends to make the phone calls the least favorite part of what she brings to the table.

[gr8dane_daddy]

41. I'm glad to hear Springer's gone...

I hated his show...no balls period!

I think AAR needs to bring back shows like Morning Sedition (sign Marc Maron damnit!) and Unfiltered. Second, Thom Hartmann should get the Franken slot. Sign Stephanie Miller for the morning slot. Seder should continue with his gig as well as should Malloy. For the austin station, don't freaking delay Randi's show to play Schultz' load of bunk. Okay, I'm done..blood pressures up.

[SpiralHawk]

42. Randi's whiney voice

She has some interesting things to say, but her voice gets me pushing the radio buttons...

[Greyhound]

43. First read the wire stories, then talk about the wire stories from a Dem

perspective, then broadcast todays DNC talking points, then repeat all day long. It is the same formula that the reich wing uses, and that's fine, but I think they need to differentiate themselves.

One way to do that would be to actually seek out, report, and talk about some of the hundreds of relevant stories and issues that we don't get to hear about, especially the stories that the M$M's corporate owners spike because they don't want them out there. Become what the New Times/LA Weekly used to be, a real alternative. Become a source for people that want to know, they will seek you out, and patronize your advertisers, I'd also bet that those listeners are a very desirable demographic, if AA would only do the research to establish it.

It seems like AA is making the same mistake the "centrist" Democrats make, trying to capture the ever fickle, never loyal, "swing voter", while ignoring the true majority that wants a real alternative.
:kick:

[KharmaTrain]

45. Corporate Radio's Chickens Come Home To Roost

AAR is having problems...so is every other major radio network and chain. It's a combination of their own largess mixed with changing technology that is destroying the industry. AAR is looked at as a band-aid, not a cure.

Much of the trouble stems from Dereg '96 where companies like Clear Channel was able to devour competitors right and left and play stock and bank games to get the financing to buy even more. They bought properties at top dollar...often buying a lot of little doggies to get the one or two good stations in a former competitor's portfolio. As long as the stock prices remained high, the shell game worked...especially in the late 90's when dot com money flooded radio and stations couldn't sell enough air time...the airwaves were now flooded with commercials rather than content...the big companies were sure they were gonna make their money back and thensome. Then came the Internet and IPODS...

Radio had lost its role as prime mover of music to MTV in the 80's and 90's, but it still was a major place for people to catch music. That changed...especially with a younger generation...who found downloading tunes and picking who they listened to as preferable to the corporate jukeboxes most music FM stations had become. The dot com money went bust and so did millions of easy dollars...forcing stations to downsize and cut "expenses" (translation: talent). Cheap filler programming like the Rushbos and Savages drew listeners...and it couldn't be downloaded. It was easier for a local station to hook up to a satellite than to spend money on their own talent. The dumbing down continued.

Now there's even more competition with Satellite that is having its own major financial problems...and Internet radio. Conventional radio is attempting to put out its own brand of digital radio, but radio's are rare and expensive and soon things will change with live streaming of radio programming to IPODs, Cellphones and PDAs. Owning an analog radio station...especially an AM station...is like owning a vinyl recording plant right before the first CDs came out. The ground is shifting and radio's been taking a major hit. It's downsized itself to the point where precious dollars are available to promote and the financial shell games that kept station values artificially high are starting to crumble. This is the world AAR and other Progressive talk lives in.

AAR was sought as a way to tap into a niche audience the way right wing hate talk had done in its early days. It was thrown on small signals and has grown as far as it can be expected. Most AAR affiliates have limited signals or hours or both and are having troubles selling the format in a depressed economy. Ad dollars are going to television, print and even the internet before it reaches radio. It's radio's fault for driving so many good listeners and advertisers away, and now it's taking a toll as seral o the large radio companies (Disney/ABC most notably) are looking to dump their radio properties.

AAR offers a lot of red meat for people, but it's always been poorly promoted. Local affiliates struggle to pay electric bills and have no money to pay for billboards or TV commercials. It's been word of mouth that's been the network's only marketing tool and that has reached critical max. The problem remains that audiences and revenues continue to shrink...and the digital sword of damaclese hangs over the corporates heads...the radio industry is in a state of stagnation as it tries to figure out which way is up.

Personally, I find some parts of AAR entertaining, but primarily when I need some "red meat". It offers little of the information and varied perspectives I find scanning the top end of my radio dial and checking out the Public and Community radio stations. Amy Goodman offers the best listening on the radio, but would never survive in the corporate jungle of commercial radio. These are the few local voices left and I'm always supportive of what they do.

As they say in radio...stay tuned...

[primative1]

46. Expand Network ...

Air America isnt reaching anywhere. I dont care where I am stuck in traffic, I can choose between right wing blather or pay for Satalite which I wont do. Air America needs to get more affiliates.

[oc2002]

47. What exactly is Steve Youngs experience in Talk Radio Biz?...none.

That guy does not have any idea what he is talking about. Air America is doing fine, in fact they should do better in the comming years, some shows are the left version of right wing radio, but the best ones like Stephanie Miller, Randi, Franken, and such are not.

The airwaves are still by and large filled with right wing trash radio that is saturated with right wingers mostly because they work for the corporate agenda, they may even be taking a loss.

[newspeak]

49. yes, AAR needs expanded network

I get AAR on XM, and always listen to it in my car. I think Jim Hightower and Molly Ivins should have a spot on AAR--kind of "countrified" common sense. Also, it would be nice if they had some sponsors like The Body Shop, Working Assets and other progressive sponsors. They do advertise for The Nation. AAR, to me, is like a breath of fresh, especially, after the blowhards of TV and radio we have been subjected to. If AAR is in real trouble, then it's time avid listeners cough up the dough--I'm willing to fund a drive to keep it on, for sanities sake.

[Spaceman Spiff]

50. If Air America goes tits up

then so be it. It's called capitolism. Hell, I don't need radio people telling what my opinion is. Anyway, I listen to ESPN radio.

[newspeak]

51. it's called barbaric capitalism

and, some consumers actually like choices. And, AAR is not going to go belly-up-we all have different tastes and listening to ESPN isn't one of my choices.

[Iris]

60. You can't form your own opinion about sports?

[go west young man]

52. I have Sirius Satellite radio and I like everything on there but

one show and it makes no sense to me at all. I love Thom Hartman, Stephanie Miller and The Young Turks but for the life of me I can't understand why Lynn Samuels is on in the center of the day. Her show lacks focus and her voice is like a screech. Why can't they put onsomeone sharp inciteful focused and informative who talks politics well instead of a rambling soul like Samuels? I'm lost as to what they are thinking.

[drbtg1]

58. Very true about Samuels

I imagine they're trying to maintain in-house programming, especially if Franken runs for Senate and Hartmann takes over the Franken broadcast slot (which at this point would make Hartmann XM-exclusive), but Samuels is just nails on a blackboard. No one on the left, especially the Sirius Left folks (hear that, Bill Press!), should complain about Rita Cosby's voice while Samuels still has a mike.

As for content, Alex Bennett is worthless. He's much more concerned with DVD movie reviews than the stuff he was hired for (I guess he gets free DVD's because of the reviews).

[Exiled in America]

53. Though likely not wrong, it saddens me to have to go for the cheap laugh

I'm sure the author of the article is probably correct. In order for AAR to be successful it has to reach and keep more of the mainstream, and the way to do that is to provide more entertainment and excitement.

But its sad for me, because I would much rather get excellent commentary, insightful and deep interviews and clear analysis of what is going on. AAR works just great for me in most cases. But I concede that its a business, and it needs to draw in more people.

[leftofthedial]

55. Sam Seder on opposite Rush

Randi at drive time

get rid of franken. let him go run for senate or whatever

give stations some sort of incentive to get rid of Schultz. he's a dino and pathetically ignorant about most issues

Mike Malloy in prime time evenings.

[stranger81]

59. More MALLOY and WERBE!!!