Looks like Franken's a go for Central Air

[LTR]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/459/4315537.html

Franken to help launch liberal radio network to oppose Limbaugh

Satirical superstar and St. Louis Park native Al Franken has signed on as a prime player with Central Air, a new politically liberal radio network. Franken will host a daily talk show, his agent confirmed on Monday. When the New York-based network goes on the air later this year, his show is expected to run from noon to 3 p.m., going head-to-head in many markets with conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh.

"The deal was finalized Friday," said Franken's longtime friend and literary agent Jonathon Lazear.

(snip)

Minnesota Public Radio host Katherine Lanpher's name has repeatedly surfaced as his probable cohost.

(snip)

The radio network is the brainchild of entrepreneur Mark Walsh, CEO and cofounder of Progress Media, Central Air's parent organization. Walsh also is managing partner at the Ruxton Ventures investment firm, and a voluntary technology adviser to the Democratic National Committee. Central Air is expected to begin as early as March, in time to cover the presidential election.

Officials say that Central Air's 14 to 18 hours of daily programming initially will be broadcast on stations they plan to buy in such major markets as New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Boston. No Twin Cities station has been targeted for purchase, but Central Air programming could find its way here through syndication.

[Halle]

1. Outstanding!

I also noted this paragraph:

Another high-profile Minnesotan, former Twin Cities comedian Lizz Winstead, will host her own three-hour show on the network. She also will direct its entertainment programming. She was cocreator of the popular "Daily Show" on Comedy Central.


Hurry up and get this going - country-wide!!!


:kick:

[Wickerman]

2. Katherine Lanpher's role at MPR has been greatly diminshed

and I don't think its because her show was loosing ratings - sounds like she has been working on this project. Her show can be pretty good and I have sensed, as a daily listener, that she has felt pretty constrained since the 2002 elections.

Good for her, good for Franken - can't wait to hear the programming - though might be tough with no Twin Cities coverage as of yet.

[lovedems]

3. A Harvard graduate going head to head with a junkie.

That is priceless!

[LatteLib]

4. I am really looking forward to this

I loved both of Franken's books. It will be such a refreshing change to have someone with a sense of humor to tune into on the radio instead of that hypocritical lying drug abusing scumbag Flush Limbaugh.

[bookman]

5. Central Air - Exciting Prospect

Talent and Inaugural Markets Announced for National Network

New York, December 1st, 2003 – Taking another step toward redefining the landscape of American talk radio, program production and syndication company Progress Media Inc. today announced its Central Air radio network will hit airwaves in the first quarter of 2004, in time for the election season.

“Our success to date proves what we have known all along: a progressive radio network can be entertaining and engaging while also being a successful business venture,” said Mark Walsh, Chief Executive Officer of Progress Media, Inc. and the Central Air radio network.

Progress Media is in discussions with comedian and author Al Franken, whose book, Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them, a current best-seller and actress, comedienne and commentator Janeane Garofalo. The company also announced the hiring of Lizz Winstead, creator of the “Daily Show,” to oversee entertainment programming; Shelley Lewis, a longtime network news producer who was most recently in charge of “American Morning” on CNN, to oversee news programming; Dave Logan, former Chicago radio executive, to serve as Executive Vice President of programming and operations and Martin Kaplan, an associate dean of the Annenberg School for Communications at the University of Southern California, to host a talk show about the news media.

“The top talent in the country is coming together to ensure Central Air provides the most compelling and entertaining programming on radio,” said Central Air President Jon Sinton.

Central Air will broadcast a full schedule of programming on radio stations they are close to buying in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Boston, five of the ten largest media markets in the country.

“Central Air will be available in the first quarter in top markets across the country, and our distribution channels will continue to expand in the coming months,” said Sinton.

[Eric J in MN]

6. each new article has a later start date

From January to February to March and now

"as early as March."

Or as late as October?

[kimchi]

7. Awesome news!

:bounce:

How 'bout some DC action????

[greyl]

8. On PBS's Charlie Rose, Franken said

the show may be called "The O'Franken Factor" or "The Rush Franken" show.
:)

[brainwashed_youth]

9. excellent

Radio is a great place to start. Soon, we'll have our own tv networks to counter Fox. If anybody can beat Rush, it would be Franken.

[MattNC]

10. looking forward to it

just not sure it's going to succeed.

[stevebreeze]

11. my prediction is high ratings and low sponsorship

but maybe I am just to pessimistic?
:kick:

[Eric J in MN]

12. The question if are they willing to take a loss on it for 5 years.

It will probably take 5 years for a new project of this sort to make a profit.

If the owners are willing to absorb a loss for 5 years, we'll have something.

I hope they are patient.