Liberal radio network plans to launch in spring!

[LuCifer]

No mention of Randi Rhodes, Mike Malloy, Ed Shultz, etc., by name!!! Whoever it is, all I can say is BYE BYE LARDASS AND YOUR 600 CRAP CLONE SHOWS!!!

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Liberal radio network plans to launch in spring

By Jennifer Frey
The Washington Post

The much-discussed liberal radio network, designed to challenge conservatives' dominance of talk radio, took its first steps toward reality this week, when newly formed Progress Media announced it had both signed comedian Al Franken to host a talk show and completed its first distribution deal in a major market.

Franken's show is expected to air weekdays from noon to 3 p.m., in direct competition with the popular "Rush Limbaugh Show." (Rush? Popular? PLEASE!!!) Franken is the author of two best-selling nonfiction books, the first titled "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot."

Progress Media also announced it had signed environmental attorney Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to co-host another program for its lineup of round-the-clock talk radio.

SNIP

<b>Although its name has not been chosen, the network plans to go on the air by March or April, according to Progress Media CEO Mark Walsh. According to Walsh, the first distribution deal — a lease for round-the-clock air time at WNTD-AM (950) in Chicago — will be followed by several others in the next two weeks, likely in the New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco markets. </b>

read the full article at this link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2001837810_liberalradio16.html

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There was an artcile a few months ago that mentioned the network buying stations in Philly & Boston as well, so, GODS I CAN'T WAIT! Even though I get Randi on my radio just fine on WJNO, and Neil Rogers on me radio too, it drives me loco that the rest of the country doesn't get great radio like this! I HOPE THIS IS ABOUT TO CHANGE!!!!!!! 1 in 5 people get their political news from radio, so this IS important to anyone (like Michael Moore!) who says radio is all dinosaur primitive and crap!!!!

[Thaddeus]

1. Al Franken was talking about this

on the Media Matters radio show yesterday. Check out http://www.will.uiuc.edu/am/mediamatters/ to listen to the show.

[LuCifer]

2. cool

It's the shnit to see that they really are serious about this. I saw a letter to my local rightwing mullet rag paper (the South FloriDUH Scum Satanel) bitching about the liberal network, and how they'd be preaching to the chior by being on in NY, LA, San Fran, Boston, Philly etc., that's such a joke of an excuse! So how did Lynn Samuels get great ratings in NYC for YEARS then! How about Ray Talifero & Bernie Ward in San Fran! The right wing is CRAPPING their pants cuz they know damn well this is going to be HUGE!!!!!!!!!

Lu Cifer

[King_Crimson]

10. Mike Malloy will be available at the end of the month...

His ie america radio network is folding at the end of the month. It is owned by the UAW who want out of the radio business.
I hope someone latches onto him post haste...he is too valuable to be left floundering in the wind!:headbang:

[La_Serpiente]

3. Woohoo

I am more excitied about Kennedy than Franken !! :-)

[napi21]

5. Does anybody know???

if this is going to be available on-line?

I live in Atlanta, and YOU CAN'T GET ANYTHING BUT BOORTZ & LINBAUGH HERE!

[LuCifer]

7. got me

It's still in the early stages. So far all I've heard that they were looking to buy stations in is NYC, LA, Chicago (that one is definite), San Fran, Philly & Boston, but ya know they aren't just gonna stop there! I don't see how they could pass up liberal strong holds like Seattle, Portland, DC, Baltimore, Austin, Detroit, Dallas, Cleveland, etc and so on. They're SMART to go for the big markets first, to get the most possible ad dollars. As big as a market as Atlanta is (it's #11 in population, right?) there's no way they'd be able to avoid getting into it. And chances are, they'll have netfeeds.

Lu Cifer, here's the last nail, ready it for the coffin labeled "Rush Limbaugh's carrer!"

[ArtieBoy]

13. I hear ya, napi21

I'm in Atlanta, too. I love talk radio, but hearing just one side of the story (from a former attorney, no less!) really gets old. Maybe they'll buy Talk Radio 1340 from Dickey Broadcasting.

Here's an aircheck of my appearance on the Mike Rose Show on 1340 here in ATL: Take a listen here.

[wryter2000]

4. San Francisco!

I'll be able to listen on the radio. We'll blast hate talk radio out of the water!

[KharmaTrain]

6. Get Ready To Support This With Words & $$$

From what I've read this network will start very small...low powered stations that may be hard to hear in the burbs...but it's an over-the-air alternative. To make sure this network survives and grows, we need to assist these stations in their initial financial survival so they can spread to other markets and larger stations.

Forget about ratings here...the Chicago station, for example, is a very small signal that has never generated significant ratings, and I expect the stations in the other markets to be similar (many of the stations are being taken over from a BANKRUPT Spanish talk network).

What we need to do is two things...First, when these stations come on the air to note who advertises on...then let them know we're listening (a couple of sheckles their way will really help)...especially if they're local area advertisers. A direct response an advertiser notices from radio advertising means they'll continue that level or go even higher...and pass the word on to others. Again...we're starting very, very small here, let's do it right!

Lastly, for those who have businesses in the signal area of these station and do advertising, think about taking a flight out with that station. My bets are the rates will be very, very affordable...especially in the start-up phase...and the money goes towards maintaining and building the network. Again, this is starting very basic.

The Clear Channel/Premier hate network won't fold anytime soon...and as long as people listen to their other stations (you probably listen to a Clear Channel FM station and don't realize it's related to that hate dragon on the AM dial), but if it can be shown that Liberal radio is profitable and a thriving network's in place, it'll open up a lot of options down the road.

Best of luck.

[LuCifer]

8. small signal?

Not according to this http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/info?call=WNTD&service=AM and it's daytime coverage looks not bad http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WNTD&service=AM&status=L&hours=D for being only 1,000. The night time 5,000 watt coverage is still good http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WNTD&service=AM&status=L&hours=N and like they day coverage still covers on up to Milwaukee!!!

I agree 100% that we MUST support the station advertizers. I do this whenever I buy something I heard advertized on Neil Rogers or Randi's show.

Unfortunately, Cheap Channel is like a bad penny (A REALLY REALLY BAD PENNY!) and won't go away, at least soon. But any last dent that can be made into them we must see to. What that shit company has done to the landscape of radio is unforgivable, to say the least.

Lu Cifer

[KharmaTrain]

9. The Signal Is Directed Up Lake Michigan

Power numbers are deceiving on AM stations...many use directional antennas that consentrate their signal over a smaller area. I'm very famliar with that 950 signal...it's currently designed to cover the inner city areas of Chicago, and you can hear it elsewhere with a decent radio. At night that signal gets a lot of interference outside of the city proper and is directed away from the large suburban area where the listeners are.

Trust me on this one...you'll hear a lot of people complaining that they can't hear the station in Chicago...lest those that will be regular listeners in Milwaukee.

I've been following this situation for quite a while and am supportive but withholding of judgement until I see what develops.

[VOX]

12. Well said, IMR!

We will have to do our part to get this off the ground, and keep it flying.

:toast:

[OneTwentyoNine]

11. According to Franken--March 31st and yes it will be streamed on the net.

Can't FRICKIN wait!! Malloy's last show will be Feb 27th,they need to get him signed up for March 31st.

David

[AgadorSparticus]

14. WOO-HOOOOOOOO!

I love radio but unfortunately, I don't live in one of the major cities. I'll have to wait but I'm confident Tucson will get something soon. Al is going to kick some serious limbo ass. The repugs SHOULD be scared. They are about to be exposed for the lying liars that they are. Love it. Love it. Love it.

[Zinfandel]

15. Without Mike Malloy it's futile!

Let's be serious...the man is the accomplished pro and the absolute best! No question.

He speaks the truth and can anyone disagree...without Malloy, it becomes childs play...and a failure!

We all know it will need backbone, balls and passion, to succeed, a true "superstar" center to build around, who is better?

[TheWebHead]

17. malloy's too toxic for advertisers

I just don't see him getting on a network syndicated in so many large cities as this one will... ieamerica was a special situation, but even then, he admits his program was a tough sell to advertisers.

[CatWoman]

21. Toxic???

Listened to either Rush or Hannity lately?

[OneTwentyoNine]

25. ROFLOL...Too toxic

What,do those advertisers listen to Rush or just send buckets of money to run their ads? Most advertisers could give a crap about your em.."personality" as long as the product sells.

David

[Norquist Nemesis]

16. Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"According to Walsh, the first distribution deal — a lease for round-the-clock air time at WNTD-AM (950) in Chicago"

There is a God...Finally, relief from the constant hate rate bombardment! I'm programming all of my presets tomorrow!!!! :bounce:

[Doctor_J]

18. This seems to be moving very slowly

There isn't much news here. Franken signed on more than a year ago. I signed up for the newsletter 6 weeks ago or so and have received nothing yet. At their site, under "News", there are only two items, both pretty old.

Anyway, AM950 comes in fine for me, so I'll be listening.

http://www.centralairmedia.com/

[Blue-Jay]

19. Will it be available on XM? (or that other satellite radio system)

I'm probably not in a large enough market to get this right away, but I'll pay for XM if it'll be broadcasted there.

Has anybody heard anything about that?

[nwstrn]

20. I emailed XM last year about its lack of liberal radio hosts

Their response is a hoot!

Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2003 6:16 PM
Subject: Programming: Current XM News and Talk Channels

For a company that prides itself on providing an alternative to the wasteland known as am/fm, did anyone consider a devoting at least a single hour a week to a liberal talk show host, someone who would actually challenge Bush? Strangely, during the 1990s, we were never told that criticizing the President was anti-American, as we hear so often now. Contrary to the corporate media's belief, there are millions of Americans who dislike the Bush Administration and its policies. The conservatives get their shows (and in abundance)--the rest of us are forced to go to the web for a different perspective.

Admittedly, there are very few options for those seeking a liberal point of view. Here's one: Randi Rhodes, from WJNO in Southern Florida--and yes, she beats Rush in the ratings.

XM's Response:

Sent: Monday, March 17, 2003 10:24 AM
Subject: RE: Programming: Current XM News and Talk Channels

I agree with you, and would like to see more liberal points of view
in our programming. Thanks for your suggestions, I'll make sure they're heard by senior programming management. Right now we're still young, and because of our medium, have many complications when trying to obtain radio talent. It takes time and we are working our hardest ever!

Best Regards,
"The XM Answer Man"

[Blue-Jay]

22. Nice!

I'll fire off an email to them tonight, stating my interesting in subscribing and alerting them to the upcoming liberal programming. Maybe if we ALL were to do that.....

[nwstrn]

23. Thanks!

I think XM is partly owned by Clear Channel, so we have an uphill battle.

[LuCifer]

24. fuck XM! try Sirus!

They have an entire channel of nothing but left talk, with Lynn Samuels, Thom Hartmann, etc! CC SUCKS SO HARD!

Lu Cifer

[nwstrn]

26. Good point

When I signed up for XM, Sirius looked like they weren't going to make it, and I didn't want to waste money on a failing company. It's outrageous, however, for XM to ignore liberal radio.

Now if I only had broadband internet access . . .

[KharmaTrain]

27. Pigs Really Do Fly...

Both XM and Sirius are in big financial messes...neither has made their targeted listener levels and continue to bleed money. Also, their formats are "cookie-cutters"...very sanitised and lacking much originally or imagination. In essence, it's not worth the $300 or so or the radio and the $10 a month subscription.

Rumors have floated that either one or both will be gobbled up by a Murdoch or Clear Channel (who has large holdings in XM...that email is a joke).

I'd stick with listening to it on the web...I'm sure it's going to be available...the diversity and quality of Internet radio has come a long way in recent years.

A couple weeks ago Brian Lamb did a suck up show (just like that Faux travesty last week) at the XM studios. It showed studio after studio like a factory. There's no competition, no incentive to create specialized programming (and that's what us "libbies" are).

Lots of radio suits have written off liberals, too since they think we send all our money to NPR...(those who don't believe it's THEIR tax dollars that subsizing things...another lie).

Again, don't expect "mainstream" radio to embrace this network and can easily prevent its growth by refusing to clear programming in its market (just like CBS did with the MoveOn ad). XM and Sirius are just new faces on the same old tired bodies.