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==History== ==History==
In late 2002 Chicago entrepreneurs ] and ], angered at the firing of their favorite liberal radio host, Mike Malloy, decided to try to get Malloy syndicated nationally. At Mike's behest they called Atlanta-based radio executive Jon Sinton and requested that Sinton try to obtain a national berth for Malloy. Sinton, citing a radio programming doctrine known as "formatic purity" that argues for thematic consistency in music and talk programming, explained to the Drobnys the inherent difficulty in getting a single progressive on the then exclusively conservative national radio, and suggested instead that they start a full-service network--one that would give radio stations a full compliment of progressive talk. The Drobnys hired Sinton as CEO of AnShell Media, and the three quietly went about raising money. The first official fundraiser was in October, 2002 at the home of Arianna Huffington. The gathering was enthusiastically attended by many Hollywood notables. Sinton's brother, broadcaster Carey Bruce Sinton, suggested calling the venture Central Air, a name that stuck until just before launch. In late 2002 Chicago entrepreneurs ] and ], angered at the firing of their favorite liberal radio host, Mike Malloy, decided to try to get Malloy syndicated nationally. At Mike's behest they called Atlanta-based radio executive Jon Sinton and requested that Sinton try to obtain a national berth for Malloy. Sinton, citing a radio programming doctrine known as "formatic purity" that argues for thematic consistency in music and talk programming, explained to the Drobnys the inherent difficulty in getting a single progressive on the then exclusively conservative national radio, and suggested instead that they start a full-service network--one that would give radio stations a full complement of progressive talk. The Drobnys hired Sinton as CEO of AnShell Media, and the three quietly went about raising money. The first official fundraiser was in October, 2002 at the home of Arianna Huffington. The gathering was enthusiastically attended by many Hollywood notables. Sinton's brother, broadcaster Carey Bruce Sinton, suggested calling the venture Central Air, a name that stuck until just before launch.


AnShell announced its intentions publicly in a New York Times article in February ] and his partner,Rex Sorensen, a broadcaster from Hawaii. The successor company was named Progress Media. Cohen was named chairman, and Mark Walsh was named CEO. Sinton remained as President. AnShell announced its intentions publicly in a New York Times article in February ] and his partner,Rex Sorensen, a broadcaster from Hawaii. The successor company was named Progress Media. Cohen was named chairman, and Mark Walsh was named CEO. Sinton remained as President.

Revision as of 20:40, 18 October 2007

Air America Radio
File:AAR2007.gif
TypeRadio network
Country United States
AvailabilityNorth America
Broadcast areaNationwide online
Launch dateMarch 31 2004
Official websitewww.AirAmericaRadio.com
File:AAR1.jpg
Former Air America logo, 2004-2007

Air America Radio is a talk 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 progressive points of view. The network specializes in presentations and monologues by on-air personalities, guest interviews, calls by listeners, and news reports.

The company is owned primarily by Green Family Media, made up of New York real estate investor Stephen L. Green and his brother Mark J. Green, who closed on the purchase of the network on March 6, 2007 for US$4.25 million. The Greens' purchase of Air America Radio followed the company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on October 13, 2006.

Programming overview

Air America Radio's progressive talk radio programming and radio shows consist primarily of news, talk, comedy, interviews, guest editorials, and listeners' telephone calls. 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. As with most syndicated broadcast networks, local affiliate stations are able to choose which programs to air subject to contractual arrangements.

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.

News

Before June 29, 2007, Air America featured their own news summary breaks at the top of each hour, with content from wire services such as the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI). Newscasters included Bill Crowley, Wayne Gillman, Mike Piazza, and Mark Scheerer. Some affiliates use other news services or run their own newscasts during the six minute "news hole" at the top of the hour.

Public affairs and editorials

The public affairs programs 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.

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 'bumper' music to segue between commercials and segments. The music in use is generally commercially released rock music. On The Real featuring Chuck D has a strong music focus. Past shows dedicated to music include The Steve Earle Show and The Kyle Jason Show.

Weekday programs

Air America produces twenty hours of weekday network programming. The entire schedule is carried on the network's internet stream, and affiliates may carry some, most or all shows.

The network's current schedule, effective Monday, May 21, 2007, consists of:

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:

Former programs

Syndication

On September 8, 2005 Air America Radio formed a separate syndication division, designed to offer additional programming and services to both progressive talk and other talk/music formats. Air America Syndication 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 regular 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.

History

In late 2002 Chicago entrepreneurs Sheldon Drobny and Anita Drobny, angered at the firing of their favorite liberal radio host, Mike Malloy, decided to try to get Malloy syndicated nationally. At Mike's behest they called Atlanta-based radio executive Jon Sinton and requested that Sinton try to obtain a national berth for Malloy. Sinton, citing a radio programming doctrine known as "formatic purity" that argues for thematic consistency in music and talk programming, explained to the Drobnys the inherent difficulty in getting a single progressive on the then exclusively conservative national radio, and suggested instead that they start a full-service network--one that would give radio stations a full complement of progressive talk. The Drobnys hired Sinton as CEO of AnShell Media, and the three quietly went about raising money. The first official fundraiser was in October, 2002 at the home of Arianna Huffington. The gathering was enthusiastically attended by many Hollywood notables. Sinton's brother, broadcaster Carey Bruce Sinton, suggested calling the venture Central Air, a name that stuck until just before launch.

AnShell announced its intentions publicly in a New York Times article in February [[2003 in which writer Jim Rutenburg interviewed Jon Sinton about the need for a balanced national discussion. Sinton,the Drobnys and their associate, Javier Saade, a Harvard Business School grad and venture capitalist, continued to raise awareness and money throughout 2003 by spending time in NY, Washington DC and Los Angeles. Sinton met repeatedly with Al Franken, trying to convince him to become the network's anchor talent. After mentioning actress and activist Janaeane Garofalo during an appearance on Judy Woodruff's Politics Today show on CNN, Sinton received a call from Garofalo stating her interest in hosting a show. On a fundraising trip to LA, Sinton, at the suggestion of Al Franken, met with Daily Show co-creator Lizz Winstead and convinced her to come along as VP/Entertainment Programming. Around the same time, he talked former associate Shelley Lewis into leaving her job producing American Morning for CNN to come aboard as VP/News Programming. Meanwhile, fundraising was difficult. During a trip to Washington DC, former Clinton Chief of Staff Jon Podesta suggested a young lawyer with rich friends as a potential fundraiser. The lawyer, David Goodfriend, introduced the Drobnys and Sinton to his college roomate, Evan Cohen. Cohen had supposedly made millions in the Pacific Rim with advertising and research companies. Having taken the expensive idea as far as they could, the principals sold AnShell Media to Cohen and his partner,Rex Sorensen, a broadcaster from Hawaii. The successor company was named Progress Media. Cohen was named chairman, and Mark Walsh was named CEO. Sinton remained as President.

In early 2004 talent, engineers and producers were hired, a lease deal with New York's WLIB that would allow the nascent network a New York home and affiliate was signed and at noon Eastern time on March 31st, the newly re-named Air America Radio Network was launched.

At that point, Air America Radio was the only all-progressive talk radio network. A predecessor, the UAW's I.E. America Radio Network, which was home to hosts such as Thom Hartmann, Peter Werbe, and 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.

AAR became the fastest growing network in modern radio history as Sinton, though his longstanding contacts, was able to assemble a national network of 100 stations, including 18 of the top twenty markets, in just six months.

Difficulties and turnover

At the time they started Air America Radio, Progress Media stated it had secured US$30 million in venture capital before its debut. This claim was later found to be 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.

Two weeks after the on-air debut of Air America Radio, programming was withdrawn in two key markets due to contract disputes. Multicultural Radio owned two stations contracted to carry Air America programming, in Chicago and Santa Monica, California. Air America alleged that Multicultural Radio had sold time on their Los Angeles station to both Air America and another party, and claimed that that was why they stopped payment on checks due to Multicultural while Air America 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, 2004, the network announced the dispute had been settled, and Air America's last day of broadcast on WNTD was April 30, 2004. 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. According to a subsequent lawsuit filed by Multicultural, Air America Radio never paid the sums ordered by the court.

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, were forced out by the remaining investors who asked Sinton and the network's executive producer, Carl Ginsburg, a lawyer and experienced newsman, to operate the company.

As part of a reorganization, the Progress Media Board of Directors bought the assets of that company, creating a new company, Piquant LLC. An important change which accompanied the reorganization was a decision to stop trying to buy radio stations and lease air time, and to allow affiliates to carry programming outside of the network's offerings.

On February 28, 2005, a new CEO, Danny Goldberg, was named, and in April 2005, Gary Krantz was named president of the network. Ginsburg and Sinton were named co-COO's with Ginsburg in charge of operations and Sinton running programming and affiliate relations.

In December 2005, over Sinton's objections, CEO Danny Goldberg broke up the network's morning drive-time show "Morning Sedition," and let comedian and co-host Marc Maron's contract lapse. While the increased overhead for the show's heavily produced format may have been a factor in the show's demise, Maron claimed that Goldberg did not "get" or agree with the comedy on the show. Maron exacerbated the conflict by calling attention to his situation right on the show for several weeks, prompting a petition drive that garnered over 5,000 signatures. This was to no avail, as Maron announced on November 28 that his last show would be on December 16, 2005. Maron was offered an evening show, which ran briefly on affiliate KTLK in Los Angeles, but Air America never followed through with promised national syndication and the show was cancelled in July 2006.

Goldberg announced his resignation on April 6, 2006, after a little more than a year on the job.

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

By the lte summer of 2006 Sinton and Ginsburg's influence was marginalized (both would leave in short order), and the network began to fray. On August 30 2006, nighttime host Mike Malloy was fired from the network. 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. His final show was on August 29 2006 filling in for Rhodes. No mention of his firing was made during the broadcast. 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. On October 30 2006, Malloy resumed his show on a newly created progressive radio network, Nova M Radio.

Gloria Wise controversy

Further information: Air America-Gloria Wise loan controversy

In July 2005, the Bronx News reported that the Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club of Co-op City, a non-profit organization providing services for children and seniors in the Bronx, loaned US$480,000 to Progress Media, then owner of Air America Radio. Since then, 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 at the time, 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. While Gloria Wise remains under investigation, Air America has since repaid the loan.

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. Air America continued broadcasting while the finances were worked out with the creditors. The company had US$4,331,265.30 in assets and US$20,266,056.23 in liabilities. Al Franken alone was owed US$360,749.98 and Rob Glaser, founder of Real Networks, was owed the most at US$9.8 million. The filing had 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.

Air America sold to Green Family Media

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."

The sale was completed on March 6, 2007 to Green Family Media, a new company created by Stephen Green and his brother Mark J. Green. Stephen became the network's chairman, and Mark became president of Air America, with a hands-on role. Former chief executive Scott Elberg remained as chief operating officer.

Mark Green announced on Thursday, April 25, 2007 that Westwood One would take over the handling of Air America's ad sales from Jones Radio Networks. In addition, a new lineup was unveiled for the radio network. He also announced a major redesign for the network's website, in addition to a new logo. On March 14, 2007, the new owners of Air America announced 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 to 2002.. In an interview with the New York Daily News , 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."

On March 13, 2007, Mark J. Green, new president of Air America Radio, wrote in The Huffington Post offering to host or co-host a presidential debate for the Republican Party. Made in response to the recent cancellation of the Fox News Channel's hosted Nevada Democratic debates, where several Democratic Presidential candidates cited Fox News's conservative bias against Democrats as reason for cancellation , Mark Green offered several advantages for the debate. He offers a "2 million radio audience,"; a chance for "Republicans to differentiate themselves from Democrats," and if co-hosted with Fox News, "would make for a very 'fair and balanced' debate." As of yet, there has been no response from the Republican Party.

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 averaged a low 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. WXXM in Madison had announced on November 10, 2006 it would switch to all sports programming by the end of the year. Following a very vocal backlash from the station's listeners and syndicated hosts, Clear Channel in Madison later backtracked, deciding to leave the progressive talk format on the station.

Affiliates

As of October 2007, Air America programming was carried on 64 terrestrial broadcast stations Fourty of these stations broadcast a majority AAR programming. During the 3 1/2 years of the network's existence, Air America has lost 40 affiliates to other programing or formats. Air America counts any station that carries any of their programming as an affiliate, similar to radio networks such as ESPN Radio.

Air America Radio XM 167

Main article: Air America Radio (XM)

Air America can be heard on XM Satellite Radio channel 167, titled "Air America Radio". The XM network is the exclusive satellite provider of Air America programming. XM167 carries a majority Air America programming, but it also carries a few other liberal and progressive shows, including Ed Schultz and Mike Malloy. Also, the AAR Thom Hartmann Show is on tape delay to evenings in favor of The Ed Schultz Show, which is broadcasted live.

As of April 1, 2007, Air America XM167 is available on XM Radio Canada.

See also

References

  1. "Air America Fire Sale". The Smoking Gun. 7 Feb 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
  2. Associated Press (6 March 2007). "Green brothers close deal to buy liberal talk radio network Air America". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
  3. Louise Story (30 Jan 2007). "Air America to Be Acquired by New York Investor". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-03-14. subscription required
  4. Wetmore, Ken (24 June 2004). "Nobody was duped: Sorensen denies allegations surrounding Air America". KUAM News. Retrieved 2006-08-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. "Radio Free America, Inc., v Multicultural Radion, Inc., Order and Judgement Index no. 105834/4" (.PDF). 15 Oct 2004. Retrieved 2007-03-14. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. "Chapter 11 Rumors in the air again". New York Daily. 14 Sep 2006. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
  7. "Seder v. Garofalo: Scientology Smackdown". Retrieved 2006-10-13.
  8. "Mike Malloy Fired by Air America Radio". Retrieved 2006-10-13.
  9. "Reinstate Mike Malloy on Air America Radio". Retrieved 2006-10-13.
  10. "Statement from Air America Radio" (Press release). Air America Radio. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
  11. "Air America Radio Files for Bankruptcy Protection". Retrieved 2006-10-13.
  12. "Free Fall Radio: Air America Goes Bankrupt". Retrieved 2006-10-13.
  13. "Air America Radio Files for Chapter 11". Retrieved 2006-10-13.
  14. "Air America Radio Announced Today That it Has Signed a Letter of Intent" (Press release). Air America Radio. 29 Jan 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
  15. "Big changes for Air America". LTR - The Alternative Media Resource. 25 April 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-19.
  16. "AAR Reveals New Program Line-up and Ad Sales Arrangement". Talking Radio. Retrieved 2007-04-25.
  17. "Extreme Makeover - Air America Edition". LTR - The Alternative Media Resource. 21 Dec 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-19.
  18. "Air America Radio Appoints VP Of Programming". Radio Ink Magazine. 14 Mar 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
  19. "Air America Appoints David Bernstein VP/Programming". Radio Online. 14 Mar 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
  20. "New PD sees Air America as just good radio". New York Daily News. 19 Mar 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
  21. "Air America Makes Fox-y Invitation". Huffington Post. 13 Mar 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
  22. "John Edwards To Skip Nevada Debate". CBS News. 08 Mar 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. Clear Channel press release. 10 November 2006. Retrieved 23 June 2007.
  24. Madison Air America affiliate will switch to sports. The Business Journal, 10 November 2006. Retrieved 23 June 2007.
  25. "Clear Channel backlash in Madison". LTR - The Alternative Media Resource. 12 Dec 2006.
  26. "Schultz on 'The Mic': "That's no way to run a railroad"". LTR - The Alternative Media Resource. 08 Dec 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. "The Mic lives!". LTR - The Alternative Media Resource. 21 Dec 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-19.
  28. "Find A Station". Retrieved 2007-10-17.

External links

Official site

Air America fan sites

Air America critics

Air America (and list of affiliates)
Programs
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