Air America Lays Off Employees, Not Filing Bankruptcy

[orleans]

POSTED: 9:16 am EDT September 15, 2006

"NEW YORK -- Financially strapped Air America Radio has acknowledged laying off a few employees, but insists it has no plans to declare bankruptcy.

"Star commentator Al Franken has said his paychecks from the liberal talk show network stopped coming.

"An Air America spokeswoman says there were "a handful of layoffs" that followed a move of the network's New York outlet from WLIB-AM to WWRL-AM"

snip

"Franken told listeners during his broadcast from New York that he's aware of the bankruptcy rumors. But he assured listeners that the financial problems won't silence the network."

http://www.nbc10.com/entertainment/9856781/detail.html

[darkmaestro019]

1. And this is the part where we clap like the Death Star just exploded.

Well, all right, we'll save that. Let's clap like the shield went down. :toast: :applause:

EDIT: Okay, YES, dammit, that still sucks, but let's clap anyway. Bloody but unbowed! :applause:

[gratuitous]

2. Gee, now who would have started bankruptcy rumors?

Think, think. Hmmmm.

Mrs. gratuitous works in the taxi business. Every other month or so, there's a rumor that one or another of the cab companies in town is going bust. And every other month or so, it turns out to be false. The first three or four times, she got all jazzed particularly when the rumors pertained to the company she was working for at the time. Now, it hardly merits a response to the "how was your day" question. "Oh yeah, the rumor's out there that Brand X is going bankrupt. For the fourth time this month.

Rumors like this are as common as chicken feathers, and are usually floated by jealous competitors.

[Psephos]

4. Think, think...ThinkProgress.org

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/13/air-america-bankruptcy

Peace.

[rocktivity]

9. Funny thing about the ThinkProgress article

In an unrelated story, ...(r)adio giant Clear Channel is so committed to progressive talk radio that, this week, it will announce a partnership with the Center for American Progress and MSS Inc. to conduct a nationwide search for the next Progressive Talk Radio Star.

I don't think Clear Channel would shed any tears over AirAm's demise--which would be hastened if rumors of financial mismanagement scared off addtional investors and advertisers.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Psephos]

10. As the saying goes, "follow the money."

As you rightly observe, Clear Channel has a dog in this.

Peace.

[Qutzupalotl]

3. Will O'Reilly admit he was talking out his ass?

Will whatever retraction he issues be full of more partisan spin?

Stay tuned.

[Tesha]

5. I got news for you: If they're not meeting their payroll...

I got news for you: If they're not meeting their payroll,
then bankruptcy is just a heartbeat away.

Tesha

[geomon666]

6. I know.

It's like, Yay they're not filing for bankruptcy, but we still can't afford to pay anybody.

:wtf:

[undeterred]

7. their new lineup in my area

included laying off the local guy, and his was my favorite show...

For a few months they've been encouraging listeners to patronize their advertisers. I guess its cheaper to play a national show than produce a local one.

[CTyankee]

8. I'm no MBA but couldn't just business practices play a large role

in this? So what if Air America's management isn't good? That doesn't mean another company can't come in and manage it better. Clear Channel seems to think the future is with progressive talk radio and shows like Stephanie Miller are going gangbuster. Boo hoo all you want about air America. Eyes on the prize, folks, eyes on the prize!

[robcon]

11. The New York market is a bust for AA.

When they changed from a strong signal, WLIB, to a pathetically weak signal WWRL in New York, the signs were apparent.

No reputable ad agency will go out of their way to recommend a station that doesn't even cover the entire NY metro area, while its competitor stations do. I can't get the new station (1600-AM) in my car without static every ten seconds or so. (I live in Westchester just north of the Bronx.)

The price for an ad spot on Air America, in New York, the largest radio market in the country, just plummeted, IMO. The network has problems.

[jacklambert]

12. What did Randi have to say about these rumours???? n/t