Thom Hartmann: Leaving Air America?

[stevedeshazer]

http://feedback.pdxradio.com/discus.cgi

<snip>

THOM HARTMANN's syndicated radio show is moving to DIAL GLOBAL starting MARCH 1st. The show is presently syndicated through AIR AMERICA MEDIA; DIAL GLOBAL and WYD MEDIA MENAGEMENT announced the change TODAY (2/2). DIAL GLOBAL will provide both advertising sales and affiliate representation for show, which airs noon-3p ET weekdays.

"With the addition of THOM HARTMANN, DIAL GLOBAL solidifies its position as the premiere content provider of the very best Progressive Talk Radio. DIAL GLOBAL now offers 12 hours of proven, winning progressive talk shows. We’re delighted to work with THOM and WYD," said DIAL GLOBAL SVP/GM News/Talk AMY BOLTON.

"We are excited to grow the program with the folks at DIAL GLOBAL. We are especially excited to have AMY BOLTON and her expanded affiliate sales team work with our show to increase affiliates around the nation," said HARTMANN.

"It is great to be reunited with so many friends and former colleagues who are at DIAL GLOBAL. In a tough economic environment we are pleased to be working with such an aggressive team on all aspects of our business," said WYD's RON HARTENBAUM.

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Air America appears to be dead. And since their best talent have all found new homes, Air America can die now.

Long live progressive radio, minus Air America. We're better off.

[stevedeshazer]

1. Another link:

http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=1141065&spid=24698

[LaPera]

2. Progressives need all the radio channels possible it's so lopsided with

republican hate radio....We need Air America Radio as well...I love Rachel Maddow's show, Ring of Fire (RFK Jr.) Laura Flanders and so many others on AAR.

Liberals who eat their own....Republicans would never do that, if it's right-wing radio they'll support the radio network....and it's why they have over 90% of talk radio....You'd like to destroy a big chunk of liberal radio (AAR) why, some petty grudge?

I support AAR & all progressive radio financially, tuning-in, as well as supporting their progressive sponsors.

[pilsner]

3. Good luck Thom. We love you.

Don't get the product (Progressive Talk) confused with a brand (Air America).

I'm sure Thom is doing this for a very good reason. I bet he'll be heard by many more listeners with this move and sell more advertising. Dial Global also carries Ed Schultz. My guess is that one of them moves to 3 PM to 6 PM. But I have no inside info and am just speculating.

There's not much left at Air America now but most of the Hosts there will land on their feet. All good things must come to an end. When I say to people "progressive talk" many look puzzled. They know "Air America" instantly, so AAR put lefty talk on the map.

IMO, what we need to do is support the advertisers of our favorite shows and push for ownership caps of stations. Big broadcast companies squat on weak signals and lose money on such stations all the while catapulting Republican propaganda over two or three stations in each market. The profit from a giant station covers the weak sisters.

This could be broken up by reinstating the 7-7-7 rule. A media company can only own 7 TV stations, 7 radio stations and 7 newspapers.

[stevedeshazer]

5. Petty grudge?

I'd like to destroy a big chunk of liberal radio?

What planet are you on?

[ConsAreLiars]

4. I think this means Hartmann is adding another distribution network, not that he is leaving AAR.

He is not an employee of Air America. He financed his own show and made contracts with individual stations before Air America began, and the added them to his distribution process. I am sure this is just one more contract that gets his show on a few more stations, and that the distribution of his show through AAR has not been stopped and his contract with them remains intact.

[Postman]

6. Other than Thom Hartmann, the only thing worth listening to at AAR is a show they don't air....

Break Room Live (Maron v Seder)

I'd pay to listen to these guys anywhere....