Air America coming to DC

[3days]

Air America, the liberal radio network that had a rocky takeoff last spring, has struck a deal to land in Washington.

The arrangement with WRC-AM comes as the fledgling network is gaining altitude, announcing yesterday that it has re-signed star personality Al Franken to a multiyear contract, raised $13 million in new financing and named Rob Glaser, chief executive of RealNetworks, as its chairman.

Al Franken says that in Washington "you don't exist unless you're on."

WRC (1260) plans to drop its syndicated sports talk programming in favor of Franken and some of the rest of Air America's left-leaning lineup while adding other liberal commentators, say people familiar with the matter. This would give WRC's owner, Clear Channel Communications, a "blue state" station to balance its "red state" programs on WTNT (570), which includes conservative hosts Laura Ingraham, G. Gordon Liddy and Michael Savage.

So I am conflicted. It's owned by Clear Channel which is a piece of S***.

[K-W]

1. This is awesome.

I dont see a conflict. If the devil wanted to broadcast AAR in washington id be happy. The worst thing they could do is drop them later on. I trust AAR to never let Clear Channel have editorial control.

[roguevalley]

2. It will be okay. When AAR outrates the others, then it will be worth

it.

[Doctor_J]

3. getting paid by CC?

that won't last long, unless Randi & Malloy learn to control their tongues.

Edit: So the hourly news updates on Franken will be by Fox "News" ? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[shoelace414]

4. Randi worked for CC in Florida before AAR

She talks about it.. she says CC only cares about ratings.

[K-W]

7. This isnt new.

Clear channel has been carrying AAR on some of thier stations for a while.

And they dont have editorial veto power.

Though i do think it very possible that they reach a point where Clear channel stops, but hey, but then AAR can use its clear channel money to make other arrangments. For now it works out great for us.

[otohara]

9. Malloy Is Not On

where I live - I'm not sure if he's on any of the CC stations that carry AAR (which is many now) Randi is on - what do you mean by "getting paid by CC?"

[LTR]

10. Malloy airs on a few CC stations

Most notably WXXM in Madison. In fact, they dumped CC's own Phil Hendrie due to a massive outcry for Malloy. To their credit, they caved.

It's worth mentioning that WXXM has the best sounding of all the AAR streams, likely because it's on an FM signal. And it plays through Windows Media Player:

http://www.madisonmix.com/main.html

Other stations that air Malloy include WINZ in Miami, KRKT in Corvallis, OR, KPOJ in Portland, OR and WHJJ in PRovidence, RI. All are owned by Clear Channel.

[otohara]

15. That's Good To Know - I Thought

maybe they didn't like Malloy - I wish they would dump that weirdo Hendrie.

[SaveElmer]

5. Their gonna simulcast Imus too...

Ugh...so will have to avoid it in the morning

[Catherine Vincent]

6. I wish they would come to Texas.

We need relief from these right wing gas bags down here.

[otohara]

8. The Thing About CC Airing It

you get Phil Hendrie and that guy from Jones Network (what's his name?) his voice sounds similar to Limbaugh, which gives me the creeps.

Here in the west, we don't hear Chuck D & the girls, which is far superior to "morning sedition" and then that guy from Jones, then Randi Rhodes tape delay - then that Phil Hendrie, then not until 11PM is Janeane & Sam.

I hope it's different for DC - CC has a contract w/ Hendrie & Jones guy and they come with the package as far as I know

[LTR]

11. They carry a few Jones shows

Ed Schultz is on in the afternoons, and Stephanie Miller is on during "Unfiltered"'s time slot.

Personally, I prefer those two shows. Schultz is pretty good at what he does, and has a real down-home sensibility. Miller is also a radio veteran with a pretty good sense of humor. I tend to find "Unfiltered" a bit dry at times. And I think it's a good idea for Clear Channel to mix it up a bit. Why not air the best the format has to offer, instead of a straight AAR feed?

Though I do think airing Imus is going a bit far. Hendrie? Well, he's good, but I'm not sure how well he goes over with the AAR crowd. The Madison station pulled him when listeners were clamoring for Malloy. And for CC to dump Hendrie over someone not syndicated by them says a lot.

[Eric J in MN]

12. The guy on the Jones network is Ed Schultz.

Ed Scultz is on the "Air America" station in Minnesota.

[Buddyblazon]

14. His name is Ed Schultz...

and he has grown on me.

He's a reformed Republican...the woman he was dating made him work a soup kitchen a few times. Then he went on a tour in an RV when he doing a sports show. The people he met with and talked too along the way started him thinking. And now years later...he's come over to the good side. And the woman he was dating is now his wife.

He sounds just like Rush. Which I think is a good thing. How many righties will tune into him and listen for 10 mins before the realize it isn't the anti-christ. He is generally more reasonable. Not that some of the others aren't. But my beloved Randi is more in the lines of our sides Savage. And I do love her...listen to her everyday.

Ed's show is growing...and fast. Get familiar with him. My take is...he's a good man. And makes great points. But he hasn't really covered the voter fraud. But I listen to him as my daily dosage of left talk radio.

Hendrie...one trick pony. The voices get annoying. And his constant support of Bush drives me mad. Much rather listen to Sam and Garofolo.

[LTR]

13. AAR is coming to four stations in the near future

First up is WSCC (730) in Charleston, SC. They flip on December 16.

WSAI (1530) is probably the most noteworthy signal to pick up liberal talk. Noteworthy in the fact that it is a powerful signal that covers most of the eastern half of the U.S. after dark. The signal can be picked up from Wisconsin all the way down to Florida, and perhaps even further. And they just signed their first host, Jerry Springer. Yes, THAT Jerry Springer. Look for the new WSAI to go on no later than early January.

Of course, WWRC will flip on January 20.

And AAR is most likely coming to Los Angeles on KXTA (1150) once CC irons out some programming issues regarding several stations around LA and San Diego. There will be some format shuffling involving three or more stations, two NBA teams' radio broadcasts, and the Mexican version of the FCC. It should happen soon, though.

I should mention, all of the above stations are owned by Clear Channel.

http://ltradio.blogspot.com/

[The Sheik]

16. Good.

Its nice to have an affiliate that went 90% to Kerry.