WJMP/Kent-Akron will drop AAR July 5

[LTR]

From All Access:

First, WJMP-A/KENT, OH picked up AIR AMERICA RADIO's lineup. Then, nearby WTOU-A dropped Sports (and FOX SPORTS RADIO) and flipped to liberal talk as WARF-A (RADIO FREE OHIO). Now, WJMP is dropping AIR AMERICA and flipping to -- yes -- Sports, using -- yes -- FOX SPORTS RADIO (and PREMIERE's JIM ROME), effective JULY 5, as FOX SPORTS RADIO 1520.

Confused?

http://www.allaccess.com/ (free subscription required)

http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2005/06/looks-like-akron-will-be-down-to-one.html

[jimshoes]

1. Well shit

That's the only station in my area. Please AAR, get a real presence in the Cleveland/Akron area.

[Algorem]

2. Cleveland still needs an Air America station.Got a Dem. mayor trying to

get a WalMart though.

[Kolesar]

3. Now WARF-Radio Free Ohio can become an AAR affiliate

As I understand, WJMP had "owned" exclusive rights in the area to broadcast AAR.
I hope that AAR would bring in more interesting hosts than "imitation-Rush" Ed Schultz or unenlightening Stephanie Miller. She is just a goof sometimes.

[POAS]

4. I hope they do..

1. I'm already tired of Ed Schultz
2. I get a better signal from WARF

[NEOBuckeye]

5. Stephanie Miller isn't that bad, really. Neither is Radio Free Ohio.

I'm a pretty serious guy, but I've found myself busting out laughing in my car while listening to Miller on my way to work more than a few times. Anyone who can do that gets my vote for staying on the air here in Northeastern Ohio. She may be a goof, but we do need some laughter on the Left.

I'm glad Thom Hartmann is on. The man is a walking encyclopedia and a captivating, engaging speaker to boot. Not that I have anything personal against either one of them, but Al Franken or Jerry Springer just don't hold a candle to Hartmann. I'd hate to trade him for either one if Radio Free Ohio switched to AAR.

Which brings me to Shultz. The "Rush-Lite" persona doesn't do anything for me, personally. But I can see his appeal. As much as I hate stereotypes, he does sound like an average, blue collar "everyman". Yet he's also uttering progressive views over the radiowaves. I'd still personally take Randi, though.

The best solution? Keep Radio Free Ohio as it is. Air America needs to find another AM or even an FM station in Cleveland. Hopefully with a much stronger signal this time. The more liberal talk radio networks we have in the region, the better. Hopefully, we can get to a point where there is something on the air at all times of the day or night to suit everyone's tastes.

[BillORightsMan]

6. WJMP & AAR

WJMP is a low-power daytimer only, so most of the evening programming from AAR is lost (Majority Report and Mike Malloy). And it barely covers outside of Kent when it IS on.

When AAR started out, they basically said to broadcasters they had to take ALL the programming or NONE of it, but has since back-pedaled and most stations take AAR a la carte now. Most stations running AAR (KPOJ, KLSD, WINZ, KXXT, etc.) seem to mix in other shows NOT on AAR too. For example, I spend all week in COL OH, I get to hear AAR on AM-1230. Their line-up is:
- 7am? Springer (replay from the day before)
- 9am Stephanie Miller (live)
- 12pm Al Franken (live)
- 3pm Big Ed Schultz (live)
- 6pm Randi Rhodes for her LAST live hour (out of four), which is usually pre-empted for Reds pre-game at 6:40)
- 7 pm Majority Report (live when there's no Reds game)

After that, the signal fades (directional at night).

I agree that Steph adds some levity to the seriousness of what's going on and handles "righties" deftly. She is funny and I like her cuz she helps me keep my sanity! Schultz calls 'em as he sees 'em (used to do Big 8 football) and takes lots of calls. IMHO, Springer and Schultz at least try to talk to the center/right and reach out. We can't just preach to the choir all the time.

When I was in Boston for the DNC, I personally told Al Franken he needs to get AAR on 1300-AM WERE in CLE OH, to go up against Rush on CCC's 1100 WTAM, because 1300 is owned by Radio ONE and is only running USA Today Radio off a satellite feed. (FYI Radio ONE stations run mostly gospel & R&B). What GM wouldn't want to go up against CCC AND Rush in the same market? was my selling point. (It's TRUE! Here's me & AL in the Boston Sheraton for his book-signing http://community.webshots.com/photo/171345850/171345850MspKis )Plus, all the WingNuts are on 1420-AM, which has pretty good coverage.

Alas, now WTAM-1100 runs Jerry 9-12 and Rush 12-3, so how can AAR pull out of THAT agreement? Many CCC stations are running portions of AAR now, too. PLUS, AAR moved off VERY BLUE Sirius Satellite Radio (DISH-TV) to Murdoch-owned XM Satellite (DirecTV)! What's up with THAT, AAR?

Northeast Ohio needs a station that has a strong signal with AAR on all the time. Seems like 1220 would be a good choice, but a handful of other lower-power stations would be good too. There's a station in Youngstown that broadcasts AAR, but I haven't heard it yet.

Stay tuned and watch and listen, I guess...

[POAS]

7. Latest AAR in NEO

According to the AAR website WJMP is no longer listed as an affiliate. Listening in on July 5th confirmed sports programming.

WARF, 1350AM is now listed as an affiliate however they are not carrying all AAR programming. In the AM they have Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz after 3 PM. Noon to 3 PM they air Al Franken. I'm not sure about other time slots.

Also listed as an affiliate is WTAM, 1100AM. perhaps with the strongest signal in NEO. They carry the Springer show from 9 to 11:30 AM. I am not aware of other AAR programming on WTAM.