Air America Radio

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Air America Radio

Type	Radio network
Country	United States
Availability	United States
Founder	Sheldon Drobny Anita Drobny
Launch date	March 31, 2004
Website	www.AirAmericaRadio.com

Air America Radio is a full-time radio network and program syndication service in the United States. The network started programming on March 31, 2004, and features discussion and information programs with hosts reflecting liberal, and left-wing or progressive points of view. The network specializes in presentations and monologues by on-air personalities, guest interviews, calls by listeners, and news reports.

On Friday, October 13, 2006, Air America Radio filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to remain on-air while resolving issues with creditors. The network announced on January 29, 2007 that SLG Radio LLC, owned by New York real estate investor Stephen L. Green, would acquire the network, for US$4.25 million.^[1] On March 6, 2007, Green Family Media was formed and completed its purchase of Air America.^[2] Air America pioneer, Al Franken, announced on February 14, 2007 he was to leave the network in preparation to run for a seat in the United States Senate for the state of Minnesota.^[3]

[edit] Programming overview

Like most talk radio outlets, Air America Radio's programming includes news, talk, comedy, interviews, guest editorials, and listeners' telephone calls. As with all broadcast networks, local stations choose which programs to air subject to contractual arrangements. In various markets, there are traffic and weather reports throughout the broadcast day generated by local affiliates. The talk portions feature some extended host monologues in the classic talk radio format. Live and pre-recorded comedy routines, featuring various comedians, are also aired.

[edit] Format

The shows follow a half hour format from 6 minutes past the hour to 28 minutes after the hour followed by a hard break for six minutes until 34 minutes past the hour. The final hard break occurs at 58 minutes past the hour leading into the news at the top of the hour.

[edit] News

Air America has a brief summary of current news at the hard break top of the hour from wire services such as the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI). Some affiliates use other news services or run their own newscasts during the six minute "news hole" at the top of the hour. The current newscasters are Bill Crowley, Wayne Gillman and Christabel Nsiah-Buade.

[edit] Public affairs and editorials

The public affairs programmes tend to closely follow current happenings in the news, with monologues and reflections offered by the hosts and their guests. Listener comments by phone or the internet are worked into these segments along with the interviews.

[edit] Music

Although better known for its political shows, Air America also features music-oriented shows, and otherwise uses music in a variety of creative ways. Most of the talk shows have their own theme songs, using music to segue between commercials and segments. The music in use is generally commercially released rock music. The internet feed features a limited selection of non-vocal, non-commercial rock-like music during time slots reserved for local affiliate commercials. Current shows dedicated to music are The Revolution Starts Now and On The Real. The focus of the now-canceled The Kyle Jason Show was music and music history.

[edit] Weekday programs

Air America produces twenty hours of weekday network programming, including news summaries at the top of each hour. All of the programs below air on stations under full control of the network, along with rebroadcasts of some of the day's shows from 01:00 to 05:00 ET (UTC-5).

On September 12, 2006, Air America sent an updated schedule to their affiliates, detailing its new schedule.

The Air America Radio lineup as of February 19th, 2007 is as follows:

The Mark Riley Show with Mark Riley (one hour: 05:00-06:00 a.m. ET), debut: January 2, 2006
The Young Turks (three hours 06:00-09:00 a.m. ET), debut: September 18, 2006
The Sam Seder Show (three hours 09:00-12:00 p.m. ET), initially The Majority Report (see below), moved and renamed September 18, 2006, displacing Jerry Springer, who moves to Air America Syndication.
The Thom Hartmann Program with Thom Hartmann (three hours: 12-3 p.m. ET)
The Randi Rhodes Show with Randi Rhodes (three hours: 03:00-6:00 p.m. ET)
The Rachel Maddow Show (two hours 06:00-08:00 p.m. ET). Moved from early mornings effective September 18, 2006
Politically Direct with David Bender (one hour 08:00-09:00 p.m. ET), the show moved from the weekends to weeknights effective September 18, 2006
EcoTalk with Betsy Rosenberg (one hour 09:00-10:00 p.m. ET), the show moved from the weekends to weeknights effective September 18, 2006
Jon Elliott (three hours 10:00-01:00 a.m. ET), initially aired on an interim basis, following the departure of Mike Malloy, until a permanent show filled the time slot (Detroit-based host Peter Werbe was another interim host). Elliott appears to be a permanent replacement.

[edit] Weekend programs

On many Air America affiliates, weekends feature repeats and highlights from the network's weekday shows, combined with new original programming and some syndicated shows produced independently.

Original network programming for weekends includes:

Radio Nation with Laura Flanders (three hours)
Ring of Fire with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mike Papantonio (two hours) 05:00-07:00 p.m. ET Saturdays
EcoTalk with Betsy Rosenberg (one hour)
Mother Jones Radio with Angie Coiro (one hour)
The Steve Earle Show (one hour)
Politically Direct with David Bender (one hour)
On The Real with Chuck D and Gia'na Garel (two hours)
State of Belief with Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy (one hour) 05:00–06:00 p.m. ET Sunday

[edit] Former programs

The Al Franken Show with Al Franken (three hours: 12:00-03:00 p.m. ET) (Aired March 31st, 2004-February 14th, 2007). Franken left the show in order to run for the U.S. Senate from Minnesota.
So What Else is News? with Marty Kaplan (first daily for one hour; later weekends for two hours)
Liberal Arts (radio show) with Katherine Lanpher (one hour)
The Kyle Jason Show with Kyle Jason (two hours)
Morning Sedition with Marc Maron and Mark Riley (three hours: 06:00–09:00 a.m. ET) (Aired April 1, 2004-December 16, 2005)
Unfiltered with Chuck D, Lizz Winstead, and Rachel Maddow (three hours: 09:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. ET) (Aired April 1, 2004-April 1, 2005)
The Marc Maron Show with Marc Maron (two hours: 1AM–3AM ET) (Aired February 28, 2006–July 14, 2006 on KTLK)
The Mike Malloy Show with Mike Malloy (three hours: 10:00–01:00 a.m. ET), August 2, 2004-August 30, 2006. Moved to Nova M Radio on October 30, 2006.
The Majority Report with Sam Seder (Janeane Garofalo cohosted with Seder until July 2006) (three hours: 07:00-10:00 p.m. ET). Seder moved to a new time slot, and the show was renamed. Aired March 31, 2004-September 15, 2006
Springer on the Radio with Jerry Springer (three hours: 09:00-12:00 p.m. ET), first aired April 1, 2005. Moved from regular schedule on September 18, 2006 to Air America Syndicaton. The last live broadcast of the show was on December 5, 2006 with reruns airing until December 8.

[edit] Syndication

On September 8, 2005 Air America Radio announced that the network formed Air America Syndication, a separate division designed to offer additional programming and services to both Progressive Talk and other talk/music formats. The separate division was used to syndicate Thom Hartmann, and later Springer on the Radio which aired at the same time as The Al Franken Show and The Sam Seder Show respectively on the Air America network lineup. Springer ended his show on December 5, 2006 and Franken's ended on February 14, 2007. On January 29, 2007, Air America announced that Hartmann would replace Franken on the regular network lineup. There currently are no programs syndicated as a part of Air America Syndication.

[edit] History

Air America was conceived in response to the perception held by many liberals that liberal groups were ineffective in getting their viewpoint across in the media and that conservative dominance of talk radio — notably the popularity of commentators such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly — gave the Republicans an electoral advantage over the Democrats because it helped the Republicans turn out their political base. British journalists Jonathan Freedland, John Micklethwait, and Adrian Wooldridge, have credited conservative talk radio with helping to shift the tone of American public debate. By creating an electoral environment where Republican candidates are more able to succeed, Democratic candidates are forced further to the right in order to be "electable". Micklethwait and Wooldridge wrote about this in The Right Nation, and David Brock wrote about it in The Republican Noise Machine.

A number of conservative commentators countered that the reason conservative shows did well on radio was because of what they perceive to be a lack of a conservative voice from more prominent news sources. They asserted that a liberal network would not do well, because those view points are already well represented by other news sources.

Brian C. Anderson wrote, "Liberal bias in the old media (is) what birthed talk radio in the first place. People turn to it to help right the imbalance. Political scientist William Mayer, writing in the Public Interest, recently observed that liberals don't need talk radio because they've got the big three networks, most national and local daily newspapers and NPR."^[4]

These conflicting assessments have created an unusual amount of interest in the health of Air America.

[edit] Beginnings

Air America was initially the idea of Sheldon Drobny and Anita Drobny. The Drobnys wanted to start a progressive talk radio network to compete with conservative talk radio. The first liberal network, the UAW's I.E. America Radio Network, which was home to former Air America host Mike Malloy, never gained national attention. Its last day on the air was February 27, 2004, only weeks before Air America took to the airwaves.

The couple announced their intentions in February 2003 when they formed AnShell Media, and announced their plans for a syndicated radio network. The following December, the Drobnys sold AnShell Media To Evan Cohen and Mark Walsh, and the company was renamed Progress Media, with the network to be called "Central Air" Radio Network, Cohen named as Chairman, and Walsh was named CEO.

In January 2004, Progress Media signed Al Franken and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to host shows, additional signings follow including Janeane Garafolo, Chuck D., and Randi Rhodes. Lizz Winstead joins on the production side.

Finally, on March 31, 2004, the new Air America Radio launched with stations in New York (WLIB), Chicago (WNTD), Los Angeles (KBLA), San Bernadino (KCAA), and Portland (KPOJ), with a staff of about 100 employees. WJNO in West Palm Beach, Florida, the station where Rhodes worked, was listed as an affiliate, as was WMNN in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where a local group leased time to air Franken's show (in addition to The Ed Schultz Show).

[edit] Difficulties

Air America was started by Progress Media, which stated it had secured US$30 million in venture capital prior to its debut. This claim was later found to untrue with the actual amount closer to US$6 million. Two individuals from Guam, Rex Sorensen and Evan Montvel Cohen, were involved in raising the capital.^[5]

Two weeks after the on-air debut of Air America Radio, the show was withdrawn in two key markets due to contract disputes. Multicultural Radio owned two stations contracted to carry the AAR signal, in Chicago and Santa Monica, California. Air America alleged that Multicultural Radio had sold time on their Los Angeles station to both AAR and another party, and claimed that that was why they stopped payment on checks due to Multicultural while AAR investigated.

Multicultural Radio noted that Air America bounced a check and claimed they were owed in excess of US$1 million. Air America Radio filed a complaint in New York Supreme Court, charging breach of contract and was briefly granted an injunction to restore the network on WNTD-AM in Chicago. On April 20, the network announced the dispute had been settled, and Air America's last day of broadcast on WNTD was April 30. The New York Supreme Court ultimately concluded that the injunction was improvidently entered and that Air America Radio's court action was without merit, dismissing Air America's complaint and awarding over US$250,000 in damages and attorneys' fees to Multicultural.^[6] According to a subsequent lawsuit filed by Multicultural, Air America Radio never paid the sums ordered by the court.^[7]

Four weeks after Air America's debut, its CEO, Mark Walsh, and executive vice president for programming, Dave Logan, left the network. One week after those departures, its chairman and vice chairman, Evan Cohen and his investment partner Rex Sorensen, also left.

In July 2005, the Bronx News reported Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club of Co-op City loaned US$480,000 to Progress Media, then owner of Air America Radio. The Gloria Wise group was a non-profit organization providing services for children and seniors in the Bronx. The city has suspended further funding of the agency, and Boys and Girls Clubs of America has revoked the group's right to use their name, likeness or logo. At the time the funds were to have been transferred, Evan Cohen, former chairman of the now-defunct Progress Media, was also Director of Development for Gloria Wise.

In response to this report, Air America Radio's owners, Piquant LLC, issued a press release stating Piquant had "no obligation to Progress Media's business activities," and Piquant, as previously agreed, would "fully compensate" the Gloria Wise Boys & Girls Club.^[8] While Gloria Wise remains under investigation, Air America has since repaid the loan.

Further information: Air America-Gloria Wise loan controversy

In April 2005, Gary Krantz was named President of the network. Krantz, a veteran of Clear Channel, AMFM, and MJI Broadcasting was brought in to oversee Sales, Programming, Affiliate Relations, New York's Flagship station, AM 1190 WLIB, and Air America' s Interactive division. Together with Goldberg, and the existing executive team of Carl Ginsburg (COO), and Jon Sinton (President/Programming), and new CFO Robert, the newly established management team has gotten the company on track to consistent growth in 2006.

In April 2005, the studio of an AAR affiliate in Warren, Ohio, WANR-AM, was briefly occupied by a group that changed the locks and began broadcasting Christian programming until the police forced them to leave.^[9] A few weeks later, the group seeking to switch the station's format to Christian programming was able to purchase the station, and the Air America programming was discontinued.^{[citation needed]}

On April 6, 2006, AAR CEO Danny Goldberg announced he was leaving his post after a little more than a year.

On June 11, 2006, AAR's Atlanta area affiliate dropped all but Al Franken's show after the station was sold to JW Broadcasting.^[10] On June 23, 2006 AAR announced network president Gary Krantz was leaving the company after a little more than year on the job.

July 14, 2006, marked Janeane Garofalo's last day as co-host of The Majority Report. Although several reasons for her departure were cited (including her outside acting responsibilities), the relationship between Garofalo and co-host Sam Seder had become increasingly strained.^[11]

August 30, 2006, marked the firing of Mike Malloy from Air America Radio. In the two weeks before the firing, Malloy had announced an impending multi-year deal for him to stay with Air America (and to return on the air in N.Y.C.), and so far the firing has not been explained. News of his termination was conveyed via a short statement on the homepage of Malloy's website, posted by his wife/producer Kathy Bay Malloy.^[12] His final show was on August 29, 2006 filling in for Rhodes. No mention of his firing was made during the broadcast. His last show focused on the 1st anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Malloy's firing drew criticism from current Air America on-air talent, including The Majority Report's Sam Seder and Randi Rhodes. It also began a massive online campaign, including a petition that has over 17,000 signatures as of October, 2006.^[13] Mike Malloy has a new show on the recently created (October 30, 2006) progressive radio network, Nova M.

[edit] Bankruptcy filing under Chapter 11

On October 13, 2006, Air America filed for protection from creditors, i.e. bankruptcy, under chapter 11, at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.^[14] Air America expects to continue broadcasting while the finances are worked out with the creditors. The company has US$4,331,265.30 in assets and US$20,266,056.23 in liabilities. Al Franken alone is owed US$360,749.98 and Rob Glaser, founder of Real Networks, is owed the most at US$9.8 million. The filing has over 25 pages of creditors and shows the company lost US$9.1 million in 2004, US$19.6 million in 2005 and an additional US$13.1 million by mid-October in 2006.^[15]^[16]

On January 29, 2007, Air America "signed a letter of intent to sell its business to SLG Radio LLC, an entity controlled by Stephen L. Green, the founder and chairman of SL Green Realty Corp," a company that controls 27 million square feet with a market cap of US$12 billion. Air America CEO Scott Elberg said of Air America's selling, "We are extremely pleased to have reached this agreement with Mr. Green, which will solidify Air America’s future."^[17]

On March 6, 2007, the sale was competed to Green Family Media, a new company created by Stephen Green and his brother Mark J. Green. Stephen will be chairman, and Mark will be president of Air America. Former chief executive Elberg will remain as chief operating officer.

[edit] Post Bankruptcy

On March 14, 2007, the new owners of Air America announced^[18] the hiring of long time radio veteran David Bernstein to be the new Vice President of Programming. Prior to joining Air America, he was best known as the program director at New York radio station WOR from 1995-2002.^[19]. In an interview with the New York Daily News ^[20], Mr. Bernstein explained his vision of Air America's future as "I don't see our purpose as 'answering' conservative radio or Rush [Limbaugh]. There's no clear majority in this country today. We want to talk to everyone and help everyone make the right choice."

[edit] Ratings

Al Franken, host of Air America Radio's former flagship program, The Al Franken Show.

In Arbitron's Winter 2006 ratings book, the most recent available as of May 2006, ratings at Air America stations nationwide average about a 1.2 share in markets for which Arbitron reports results four times a year. Some of the network's highest ratings come from station KPOJ in Portland, Oregon, where the station ranks second among AM stations and sixth overall. Other markets with previously high ratings include Seattle and Madison, Wisconsin: however, Air America's Madison affiliate announced on November 10th, 2006 it would switch to all sports programming by the end of the year[3]; a spokesperson for Clear Channel in Madison later announced that the station would remain an Air America affiliate after a massive public outcry against the proposed change in format.^[21] The public protest included thousands sending petitions, emails, and letters, and a public protest of 500 people along with elected officials Madison's Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison. Promising improved support and advertising sales, a local investment group plans to make Air America and The Mic more successful. Valerie Walasek, an organizer of the protests stated, "It's evidence that as people stand up and demand what they want and demand they are going to take back the airwaves, somebody will listen."^[22]

[edit] Affiliates

Main article: List of Air America Radio affiliates

As of March 2007, Air America programming was carried on 64 terrestrial broadcast stations (46 broadcasting a majority AAR programming).^[23]. AAR counts any station that carries their programming as an affiliate, similar to syndicates like ESPN Radio.

[edit] XM 167

Air America Radio programming is carried as well as XM Satellite Radio channel 167, of which XM is the exclusive satellite provider of the network. However, XM is not required to carry the entire network, and can also tape-delay shows in favor for non-AAR programming. For instance, Ed Schultz is aired on XM167 in place of new host Thom Hartmann. Schultz aired tape-delayed on Extreme XM, programmed by Clear Channel Communications, until February 26, 2007. XM 167 also plans to return former AAR host Mike Malloy to the channel lineup in Spring 2007. Despite being on a channel with the "Air America Radio" label, Schultz stated on February 13, 2007 that Air America "sucks" and he doesn't want people who listen to AAR listening to his because he is "better than they are." These comment were in response to comments of AAR host, Sam Seder, who asked his listeners to call XM and request Thom Hartmann instead of Schultz. Seder's reasoning for his action is that he believes AAR hosts should be on the Air America Radio channel. Hartmann will be added to the channel beginning March 5, 2007. Schultz is a host for Jones Radio.