What can we do to expedite AAR coming to DC?

[LibInternationalist]

Any ideas from the DC area residents?

[Skinner]

1. Have any stations even shown an interest?

The only radio I ever listen to is NPR, so I'm way out of the loop on this. I would be really psyched if AAR were to come to town.

[LibInternationalist]

2. aside from the 1260 rumor

I have no idea -- it seems like a huge oversight on AAR's part if they're not trying for a station in the DC area

[Skinner]

3. I'm not familiar with 1260.

What's that like?

[journalist3072]

7. 1260 AM

1260 AM is now a sports station. Right before that, it was a 24-hour station for CNN Headlines News. When they switched it from CNN Headlines News to the sports station, I was really upset.

Maybe now we can get them to switch to AAR.

[Skinner]

8. I'm not much of a sports fan.

Which would explain my lack of familiarity. Seems like a serious format change to go from CNN HN to Sports to AAR.

[journalist3072]

9. I agree

I'm not a sports fan either. Hence the reason I was mad when they switched from CNN HN to sports. AM radio in DC already has enough sports stations. Maybe we can get them to do the switch from sports to AAR. And if they do, it will be incumbent on all of us to keep that station's ratings kicked up, so they know we support AAR.

[journalist3072]

4. AAR in DC

Well, my thinking is that we should start a letter writing campaign. We just need to know the appropriate people to email.

For example, let's say we would like to try to get 1260 AM to change their format, and pick up AAR. From my understanding, 1260 AM is a Clear Channel station. So in that case, maybe we could find out the appropriate person at Clear Channel to contact, requesting that 1260 AM be turned into the DC station for Air America Radio.

It really seems to be a no-brainer to me that Air America be picked up in DC. DC is the political epicenter of this country, and we are really hard-pressed to find voices on talk radio that represent our views.

[journalist3072]

5. Clear Channel

Ok everyone, I went to 1260 AM's website, and they are indeed owned by Clear Channel.

So I went to Clear Channel's website, went to their "Contact" page, and found the following contact information under their radio section:

Radio
Contact Omar Thompson
Station Listing Click Here
Phone [phone]
Email [e-mail]

So, maybe we could email Mr. Thompson, and ask that Clear Channel consider picking up Air America Radio for one of their stations in Washington DC, like 1260AM.

How 'bout it?

[journalist3072]

6. Email to Clear Channel

OK folks--here is the text of the email I sent to Clear Channel:

Mr. Thompson:

I am writing to you in the hopes that Clear Channel would consider bringing the Air America Radio network to a radio station in Washington, DC.

Air America Radio began airing in syndication in March 2003, and since that time, they have continued to grow, adding on more stations.

I find it disappointing that Air America Radio cannot currently be found on any radio dial in the Washington, DC area. Washington, DC is the political epicenter of our country, and I would argue that Air America Radio's personalities like Al Franken and Randi Rhodes represent the views of many DC residents, who espouse progressive or left-of-center politics.

I believe that Clear Channel would do well to re-target its programming, and bring Air America Radio to a station in DC like 1260 AM.

[Zuni]

10. I live close enough to DC to want this

I want either baltimore or DC, very blue areas, to get AAR. I am sick of the only good talk radio being either C-Span or NPR. Pacifica has good music, but is too left for me.

Since the DC/N. VA/MD/Baltimore area is the 4th largest metro area in the country, and among the bluest areas in the nation, I think AAR would benefit greatly by having a DC or Baltimore area station

[Chalco]

11. AAR is in DC on 1260 AMnt

[Virginian]

13. Started on or around Inauguration Day.

Al Franken reported on the day from a hotel here in the area.
I wish their signal was stronger. I can get the station during the day, but the signal fades before sun down.

[Allenberg]

12. http://www.progressivetalk1260.com/lineup.html

For those interested, and not in the know... :)