Air America Radio gets new program director

[clbuck]

From their http://www.airamerica.com/blog/2008/jun/23/air-america-names-bill-hess-senior-vp-programming">press release:

NEW YORK -- Air America Media (www.airamerica.com) has named radio industry veteran Bill Hess its Senior Vice President of Programming beginning in mid-July. His responsibilities at the national progressive talk radio network will include supervising the creation and delivery of quality programming, and overseeing the editorial content of airamerica.com.

"With more than 30 years in the radio industry, Hess brings his expertise in programming, content creation, promotions, marketing and sales,” said Charlie Kireker, Chairman of Air America Radio. “We are confident that he will help Air America achieve stronger ratings and revenue success, as we continue to provide listeners with entertaining and thought-provoking programming throughout this critical election year.”

"I strongly believe that the future success of our business will spring from the audiences we cultivate, stimulated by the talent we nurture and attract," said Hess. "I am excited by the vision and commitment of Charlie and his team to build on the foundation that's already in place at Air America Media - both on-air and on-line. I can't wait to get started!"

Prior to joining Air America Radio, Hess handled multiple programming, management, and strategic responsibilities for four of Clear Channel Radio’s Washington, D.C. stations. He was program director for powerhouse adult contemporary music station WASH-FM, as well as operations manager for progressive talk 1260 WWRC-AM, SportsTalk 980 WTEM-AM, and conservative talk 570 WTNT-AM.

Before that, Hess served as director of programming for Clear Channel’s WHJJ-AM, WSNE-FM and WWBB-FM in Providence. He was formerly regional vice president of programming for CAPSTAR Communications, overseeing programming for stations in New York and Connecticut.

About Air America Media
Air America Media runs a national progressive talk radio network and web business, representing a smart, independant political voice with a sense of humor. The network can be heard nationwide on 60 affiliates as well as on XM Satellite Radio and streamed on the Internet at www.airamerica.com

Also reported at: http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2008/06/air-america-names-bill-hess-programming.html

[yella_dawg]

1. Bit late, don't you think?

Now the main talent is gone.

[Postman]

2. Hire Sam Seder.

n/t

[Gabi Hayes]

6. amen....you beat me. get rid of the truly awful Bill Press, and put him

in the morning drive....I'd listen every day instead of.....never

[stevedeshazer]

7. Bill Press doesn't work for Air America. Never has.

He works for the Jones Radio network, with Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller.

[Gabi Hayes]

10. he's on their Chicago AAR outlet

and isn't he the guy they plug in nationwide, too?

don't they have more people from other networks than AAR, anyway?

I know in Chicago it's Press, Hartmann, Schultz, Rachel, and Mike M. probably Lionel, so it's really the Jones CHicago newtwork here

[LTR]

15. AAR has nothing to do with Bill Press

Individual affiliates can program whatever they want.

[stevedeshazer]

16. For the most part, stations that carry this programming are independent or owned by another network

For example, the station I listen to is AM 620 KPOJ in Portland.

It carries a local morning progressive show, plus Bill Press, Thom Hartmann, Ed Schultz, Randi Rhodes, Rachel Maddow, Mike Malloy, and Jon Elliott. A mix of Jones, NovaM and Air America.

And it's owned by...Clear Channel! The guys right down the hall program one of the 'other' big stations in town out of the same building and they carry Limbaugh and Dr. Laura.

I know it's a fine distinction for most casual listeners, but I'm a radio geek. No offense intended, Gabi.

:hi:

[Gabi Hayes]

18. no offense taken, and I realize he's part of Jones, but every AAR

affilitate I've checked on so far, and that's been over ten, at which point I stopped, carries that somnambulaton during the drive slot, and I don't get it.

I tried listening to him, and it's impossible

he claims to be against pugs, and has books out, etc., but he has the worst guests, for starter, amongst them that King guy from CNN, who he treats like Edward R. Murrow. he's just a terrible M$M ass smooch, among other faults, chief of which is he's B-0-0-0-0-r-r-r-ing. really boring

what gives? is he the only one in the country who broadcasts live in that slot? surely there are other people

if they were smart at AAR, which they clearly have proven not to be, they'd crawl back to Sam Seder and offer him the slot.

[clbuck]

21. That's because AAR no longer has a 6-9 AM show

They used to, but when they cancelled The Young Turks, they didn't bother replacing it with another show. Currently, they just air a rerun of Ron Kuby (probably for the benefit of their Internet streamers). Bill Press is the only game in town if the stations want a live show.

[VP505]

3. Wonder how much crow

he is willing to eat to get some of the better talent back?

[Hokie]

4. Get rid of that asshole, Lionel

He is a worthless piece of crap. Lionel is a good name for a toy train not a radio personality. Anyone but Lionel.

[stevedeshazer]

5. That ship sailed long ago.

Air America has run off every radio talent and producer that could have helped them since 2004 and it's inception.

Former lineup:

Randi Rhodes

Sam Seder, Janeane Garofalo

Mike Malloy

Al Franken (left on his own)

Marc Maron

and their entire news staff.

What's left?

Thom Hartmann and a bunch of clowns like Lionel. Rachel Maddow will no doubt leave (anyone remember Kent Jones?) for a regular MSNBC gig.

That leaves Mark Green with his ridiculous dog and pony weekend show with Huffington and Reagan, which is unlistenable.

They had a huge chance and completely blew it.

[Kahuna]

8. Too late. Mark Greene and his brother have run that station into the ground.

I think it's in its last throes.

[tech3149]

14. Since all the best talent has been driven out and most programmers

are spineless twits, I'm sure it won't make a damned bit of difference. I'd love to see it turn around but I don't think it will ever happen with corporatist ownership and CYA, don't take a chance, management and programming control. For those of us that are internet junkies, it's no big deal, but I feel sorry for those that are stuck with terrestrial radio and the limited choices available. I'd rather shoot myself than listen to 98% of what's available.

[marmar]

9. A progressive radio network would be better off run as a not-for-profit organization....

.... Kind of a people-owned radio co-op.

[KharmaTrain]

12. There Is One...It's Called Pacifica

Guess ya haven't heard of 'em. That's the problem with non-profit operations. Progressive talk could be a very succesful commercial format if promoted and programmed properly...something AAR has never been able to do.

[marmar]

13. Yeah, I've heard of Pacifica....Amy Goodman reminds me every morning.

.... TRULY progressive radio and commercial radio don't mix, IMO.

[stevedeshazer]

17. We have one of those, too.

Democracy Now!, local stuff, and eclectic music of all sorts.

http://kboo.fm

There's a place for all three: progressive commercial talk, community radio, and NPR.

I'm lucky enough to live in a city where we have all three, and there's room for all of them.

[stillrockin]

11. Bring back Seder & Maron!!!

[JackRiddler]

19. Round up the usual apolitical mercenaries...

Hess...

Clear Channel Radio’s Washington, D.C. stations...

powerhouse adult contemporary music station WASH-FM...

progressive talk 1260 WWRC-AM, SportsTalk 980 WTEM-AM, and conservative talk 570 WTNT-AM.

... director of programming for Clear Channel’s WHJJ-AM, WSNE-FM and WWBB-FM in Providence...

regional vice president of programming for CAPSTAR Communications...

---

Not like the director of programming should actually be committed from personal conviction in the politics the station is supposed to represent.

[lpbk2713]

20. Will Sammy be back?

That's all I want to know.

[KharmaTrain]

22. More Reshuffling The Deck Chairs On The Titanic

Looks like a move to placate Cheap Channel...the Greens hoping he can sweet talk the San Antonio honchos into keeping the network on Clear Channel stations rather than drop the format or take programs from Jones or NovaM. He won't have much power of the purse to hire talent (that's soley the Greens) as this network slowly sinks into the broadcast sunset.