Something fishy is going on with Progressive talk shows getting shut down

[RSchewe]

You have the 2 Air America stations recently and Ed Schultz leaving his Fargo affiliate. This seems like some coordinated manuver by the fundamental Christian groups from out West.

Now I am listening to Doug Basham and he said his Las Vegas affiliate has a Christian program in place of his show without notifying him.

Maybe I am too suspicious but this seems to be a little too much to be a coincidence. We are talking about 4 examples now in a matter of only a few days.

Does anyone know how common this is or if it is going on in more places?

[ClayZ]

1. The fundies bought up a couple of Malloys stations too.

Sounds pretty well orchestrated. We need more left progressive talk!

I was thinking it would be great if some of our Air America truthseekers would do pods for Current TV.

[madeline_con]

2. Here are some links:

It's a start. And they're not news, but old stuff.

Phoenix Air America Affiliate Sold to Christian Broadcasting Group
by Zelph
Sun Oct 16, 2005

http://www.dailykos.com/tag/Liberal%20Talk%20Radio


Thursday, 20 February 2003
Liberal radio talk show hosts?
http://www.retrophisch.com/archives/2003/02/20/liberal_radio_talk_show_hosts.php


The Battle for the Control of the Press

http://www.yuricareport.com/Media/BattleForControlOfThePress.html

[1monster]

33. That is an old, old tactic of the Christian Right. Back in the mid '70s,

Jacksonville, Florida had an early version of a shock jock called "The Greaseman." He was sometimes off color, and was occasionally pulled off the air by the FCC, but he could be absolutely hilarious.

The Fundie churches in the area would have hissy fits over the Greaseman and did everything they could to get him off the air, to no avail.

In the end, they put together an organization to buy the station and muzzled him as best they could. Since he had a contract, they couldn't just fire him, but eventually he accepted an offer in D.C.

There he got into loads of trouble because the dumb cluck made a couple of ethnic jokes that went over like lead balloons and really offended people. The first time he apologized and was given another chance. The second time, he made a joke about Martin Luther King Day and how to get a whole week of holidays. He was (justly--he had been warned about making that kind of joke) fired, and I haven't heard a word about him since.

[madeline_con]

49. "Martin Luther King Day and how to get a whole week of holidays"

Oh, is he the one who made the "joke" about "shooting a few more n###ers"?

What a piece of work. A person certainly doesn't have to have anything to do with the Christian Right to want that crap off the air.

Then again, freedom of speech for ALL of us presents a conundrum in this instance. I think it's hate speech, though and should be prohibited for that reason. People who wanted to hear that drivel could buy DVDs of the guy.

[1monster]

52. I agree that it was totally outrageous and he was justly fired. When he

was in Jacksonville, however, I never heard him say or heard of him saying anything remotely racial. I remember a group of us being stunned that he would say what he did.

The Fundie churches were up in arms about him because of the sexual innuendo of his broadcasts. And it was funny stuff not Howard Stern-type sleeze, more double entendre type stuff.

It wasn't funny when he said it and it isn't funny now. I only mentioned that part so those that had heard of it would know who I was speaking about. And I didn't repeat what he said. You did.

[SoCalDem]

3. Our money people are not as committed as their money people are

..and there is an election coming up..They do not want competing ideas out there

[lostnfound]

14. Their "money people" get direct and immediate financial payoffs

Ours, for the most part, don't.

[Trevelyan]

4. The Internet is next but there are some sites working on it now so we

don't get horrible "surprises" like the ones you mentioned for radio.

http://civic.moveon.org/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4655196.stm
http://www.eff.org/br/

Rumsfeld Zeros in on the Internet By Mike Whitney

"02/24/06 "ICH" -- ...Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was warmly greeted at the recent meeting of the Council on Foreign Relations. The CFR is the hand-picked assemblage of western elites from big-energy, corporate media, high-finance and the weapons industry. These are the 4,000 or so members of the American ruling class who determine the shape of policy and ensure that the management of the global economic system remains in the hands of U.S. bluebloods..."

== http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/20/101746/590 ~ Soon to come to the United States -- America's computer driver licence

== http://www.informationclearinghouse.info - The Pentagon's War on the Internet~~~~ http://www.chris-floyd.com - Empire Burlesque The Pub Forums ~"..The War Dept. is planning to insert itself into every area of the internet from blogs to chat rooms, from leftist web sites to editorial commentary. The objective is to challenge any tidbit of information that appears on the web that may counter the official narrative; the fairytale of benign American intervention to promote democracy and human rights across the planet.."

The End of the Blogosphere? March 1, 2006 By Mitchell Szczepanczyk - "...When the dust settled, some three million people responded to the FCC against its controversial rules - a response unprecedented in the FCC's history. The same or larger scale of response to Congress will be needed to preserve net neutrality. And the blogosphere, with its millions of active folks online, hold that very potential to rally widespread awareness of net neutrality and keep the internet free..."

[RagingInMiami]

5. There are no coincidences

Only acts of God, or those who think they speak for him.

[StClone]

6. K&R

[no_hypocrisy]

7. This take-over of progressive stations may have started in 2001.

WEVD was a radio station created in the memory of Eugene Victor Debs, a socialist-activist who ran for president. By 2000 it was an independent station with several progressive radio talk shows. It was sold by The Jewish Forward, which had been its guardian for decades, in 2000 to the ABC Corporation, which promptly changed WEVD's format to ESPN Sports radio in NYC. The ratings for the new format are and have been abysmal. The hosts have found work at other stations, but Disney/ABC had a bonus of disenfranchising a liberal/progressive/non-neocon audience by its choice.

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. Actually, we went through this sort of thing about 10 years ago

When SKY Radio went around the country buying up all of the progressive rock stations and replaced them with their all day conservative bullshit talk shows.

[no_hypocrisy]

9. Agreed. Telecommunications Act of 1994 gave permission

for accumulation of broadcast outlets.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

43. ABC-Disney also got rid of Jim Hightower's radio program

:grr:

[KharmaTrain]

47. The Forward Didn't Have To Sell

This wasn't the first time the Forward parlayed its radio properties to make a couple of sheckles for its publishers. First, they sold their original AM frequency to a Christian religious group in the late 70's...then "traded" their FM frequency (along with getting a lot of cash) to a Hispanic group in the early 90's...that's how they ended up on 1050. The station always had problems with being profitable and after nearly 75 years, the Forward got an offer from Disney they didn't refuse.

In fairness, ESPN makes far more money on that frequency than WEVD did. Ratings aren't revenues and this is the key ESPN station for the #1 market...every beer company, male "enhancement" and "gentleman" club, car dealers and so on throw a lot of money at these stations. It's a major reason Disney is selling WABC and it's right wing drivel but keeping 1050.

[mcscajun]

10. On the flip side...there are some new ones since last month.

Two stations in Buffalo are actually vying for the progressive talk audience.

One, regrettably, is WWKB, which until 2/6/06 was an oasis for 50s and 60s oldies after WCBS-FM went to "Jack-FM" format. WWKB is a 50,000 Watt powerhouse, that after the sun goes down, can be heard down the East Coast as far away as Florida. It's located at 1520 AM -- give it a shot while it's dark. Once the sun comes up, you won't hear it.*

Mon-Fri schedule:
6a-9a Bill Press
9a-12n Stephanie Miller
12n-3p Leslie Marshall
3p-7p Ed Schultz
7p-10p Stephanie Miller
10p-1a Lionel
1a-6a Joey Reynolds

http://www.kb1520.com/

The other station going to progressive talk is WHLD-AM 1270. I don't know much about that one.

*It's all about ionospheric "skip". Particular layers of the atmosphere (through which radio waves move) change after the sun goes down making the "skip" easier. An AM radio signal sometimes can reflect, or "skip", off the ionosphere and be heard at locations hundreds of miles distant from the broadcasting radio station.

[dorkulon]

12. WHLD 1270AM is broadcasting Air America - finally!

We've been waiting too long for this in Buffalo.

Air America is best known for the Al Franken Show, which will air weekdays from noon to 3 PM. AAR began March 31, 2004 as a national alternative to the right wing talk radio juggernaut that had become synonymous with talk radio.

In addition to Franken, AAR will bring another famous television name to the Buffalo airwaves. The Jerry Springer Show airs weekdays from 10 to noon. This, however, is not the trailer trash beatdown Springer you’re used to. It’s a political show— we hear it’s not bad and even if it is, it’s got to be better than that cat-fancier Bauerle. Also, AAR will provide solid progressive talk shows from Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy.

Not new to progressive radio, the station had been featuring the kick-ass New York City progressive news show Democracy Now, hosted by Amy Goodman from 8 to 9 in the morning, which will remain, moving to the 9am slot.

http://www.buffalobeast.com/92/Air%20America2.htm

[Armstead]

15. WWKB is good news -- Good to get lib talk on a 50,000 watt blowtorch

I used to listen to Joey Renoylds as a kid in New England when it was WKBW. It was a Mster Blaster signal.

It's good to get on those kinds of stations, because there's a lot of people flipping around their car radios in the Great Out There who rely on those clear channel (in the original use, not the company) stations.

[Nikki Stone 1]

20. Bill Press and Stephanie Miller used to be on KFI (Clear Channel in LA)

And they never really impressed me. Press came off as weak and ironic; Miller came off as adult entertainment but not much substance. I don't consider it such a big deal that their shows are getting out there.

Randi Rhodes, on the other hand, is the real deal. It will break my heart if she gets cancelled.

[Minnesota Libra]

11. People seem to forget PNAC and fundies who are.......

.....working behind the scenes regardless of what goes on day to day.:puke: Oh yes, I firmly believe PNAC members and supporter continue to work toward their chosen goal - complete control of America.:grr:

[ClayZ]

13. Kick!

:kick:

[Czolgosz]

16. In my market, part of the Air America programing is being replaced with a

local Anglophobic conspiracy theorist who devotes more effort to criticizing other Democrats than he spends criticizing Republicans.

I'm crushed that our South Texas Air America affiliate would give this guy a forum on a supposedly progressive radio station. I absolutely don't object to this guy having a program; I just don't like him taking air-time from the progressive programs, and I fear the new host's blatant Anglophobia will taint the whole station.

It really depresses the hell out of me to have a "divider" on the air several hours a week at a time when the Democratic Party in South Texas could really use a "uniter."

It is almost as if they were trying to fracture the local Democratic Party.

[napi21]

18. Let the station know how you feel, and let the show sponsors know

you won't be buying their stuff, and the reason why! Radio is a business, and wether the fundies want that or not doesn't matter. The ONLY thing that matters is the ratings of the show. If the ratings are down, the station can't charge as much for ads, and if the advertisers don't show sales from their ads, they'll not renew them.

[alarimer]

29. Is this KCCT?

In Corpus? I keep hearing about changes but so far it is the same lineup. It pisses me off though that they will cut into Randi Rhodes' time for this local guy. I have little or no interest in local politics, with the exception of environmental issues. The guy you mention does not sound like someone I want to hear.

[Czolgosz]

39. It is KCCT. I'm really disappointed they are turning so much air time over

to a guy who devotes much of his energy to spreading rumors (and worse), usually about Democrats.

[AuntiBush]

17. Maybe Someone Can Help Me Out on this Here...

I subscribe to XMRadio. Does this mean these stations will affect onnly certain regions, or the entire network? If this is the case, I'll cancel the subscription now.

Lately I've noticed one can not listen online freely, as well.

P.S. PM me if it does affect the entire listening stations. Thanks

[mcscajun]

45. I don't believe it will impact XM for some time, So long as Air America

exists. XM doesn't pick up local stations, it picks up programming.

For more info, you might check out this site:
http://www.xm411.com

[snacker]

19. Yes, and isn't there some big lawsuit against Randi Rhodes? n/t

[Initech]

21. Yup, happening in California too. Reeks of suspicion.

LA 810 (?) used to be a progressive station and is now the home to yet another right-wing fundie nutcase station.

Something is happening, and it's damn scary.

[bobbieinok]

22. Malloy was kicked off WLS before selection 2000 altho he had highest

rating in his time period

in Tulsa before election 2002, a station with a national reputation for 60+ years as a country music station became a 24/7 RW talk station.....the 2nd one in town; we also have a religious wrong 'christian' am station

both WLS and the 1170am station in Tulsa have a large listening area after dusk (I listened to Mike from Tulsa; he had callers from TN and VA......also important were the people travelling through the listening area, esp the Chicago area, and calling in on cell-phones)

the timing of Mike's firing ('too extreme for our audience' was the claim, I think) and 1170's switch is IMO very suspicious

[bobbieinok]

23. additional suspicious stuff.....toward the end of Mike's tenure

at WLS the station's signal was frequently drowned out by religious right broadcasts, both in English and Spanish....at least that happened to my OK reception of the signal with a not very sophisticated radio receiver

[Cleita]

42. This is happening to me. I can't listen to AAR at night and

Mike Malloy anymore because of these stations jamming my signal and interfering so much I can't hear Mike. It was a real treat getting him on Randi yesterday because I haven't been able to listen to him for awhile.

[Cleita]

41. As if Rush the racist Limbaugh wasn't too extreme?

I fear for this country.

[Ksec]

24. Yea, its called Corporate interests.

Apparently Liberals are threats to the interests of the corporate world. We are like boogey men to them.

What I cant figure is why we havent used our humongous buying powers to our advantage. We hold huge power because we control huge amounts of wealth. Not singularly per say but together we could shut corporations down in their tracks if we used that power we have.

[KittyWampus]

25. If it was about profitability... but the Fascists have stolen trillions s

so they can afford to lose money on radio in the drive to control it.

[juliana24]

32. The Repugs steal our votes, and now they steal our voices...

whats next ???

Furthermore, have you had enough of this, yet ?

[file83]

26. Air America Phoenix was voted Best News/Talk of 2005

Air America Phoenix voted best 2005.

But it was sold to a Christian broadcasting group. What the hell!? That should have meant that they had a strong presence in Phoenix, meaning they could have made some $$$ in advertising revenue.

[enid602]

27. profitability

And I don't think changing to the Christian format was a profitability consideration; Phoenix radio is already chock-full of Christian stations. It will be hard for the new Christian station to get much of a market segment.

[file83]

30. Makes you wonder if the government is subsidizing Christian radio stations

...don't it? Who else would do this, throw away money?

[libnnc]

34. things that make you go "hmmmm"

Faith Based Initiative Broadcasting perhaps?

Wouldn't surprise me at all.

[Lindsay]

28. I think often these "Christian" broadcasting companies are

Repug front companies. They buy out stations with liberal broadcasts to stifle the competition and control the message. And they don't care if they lose money doing it, because propaganda, not profit, is their motive.

[file83]

31. Exactly - the profit comes from the DoD and wars.

[bluestateguy]

35. AA is on the air on 85 stations

That's up from 10 when the network launched. It is coming up on its 2 year anniversary at the end of the month. Sure, there will be setbacks. AA is challenging entrenched power interests who aren't going to just lay down and take it, but I have no doubt that AA will prevail to become a leading voice in the radio marketplace of ideas. I pay no attention to the corporate media stories about fake scandals and methodologically flawed arbitron ratings. For the most part AA is doing fine.

[buddysmellgood]

36. We need to buy the cheapest stations. We'll make tons of

money building rating with our message. Fundies come along and pay too much for them. Drive them into the ground. repeat.
We'll win in the end.

[FreedomAngel82]

37. Malloy talked about this earlier this week

He is like you and so am I. I do believe that all these people are buying out the airwaves and nobody is brave enough to help pay for progressive radio. Advertisers and things like that enough though the raitings are there and doing well.

[TreasonousBastard]

38. It's an old story, and not just about progressives...

for years NPR has been complaining about fundies with boatloads of money buying up small NPR stations and turning them into Christian radio.

I don't doubt it's not just NPR and Air America they've been targetting, but they seem to be targetting any news outlets that they think aren't "proper."

As has been said-- they have a war chest for this sort of thing, and we don't.

[Cleita]

40. Where is DU'er Gloria? She's the radio expert on DU.

I haven't seen any posts from her in a long time. I hope I don't get into trouble calling our her name, but she would be the person who might know.

[file83]

44. She was sold to the Christian Broadcasting Network last month.

:hide:

[farmbo]

46. Remember...Fundies don't pay taxes and raise money by scaring old ladies..

...in nursing homes with terror-tales of non-believers being 'left behind' and burning in hell for eternity.
It is literally a perpetual motion money machine because the more stations they have the more tax-free money they generate which can be used, in turn, to buy more stations.

[KharmaTrain]

48. It's Growing Pains...

I just came back from Arizona and was pissed when I popped on 1010 and heard a preacher spewing. I thought maybe the radio was broken.

Don't read into this more than a reflection of the problems broadcast, and especially AM radio, is having today. That Phoenix station was owned by a small company that was trying to compete against dozens of other stations...most with better signals and owning several stations.

Running a "stand-alone" AM station is like running a vinyl record shop...especially when you have the "Wal-Marts" like Clear Channel right down the block. It's even more acute these days as radio revenues have nose-dived and local competition has increased. The easy way (or in some cases the only way) out of this bad situation is to find cash-loaded buyers...and these days many wear crosses and thump bibles.

I'd be far more concerned if you saw Clear Channel...who is AAR's largest affiliate operator...dropping the format from stations. Instead, they just added another 50,000 watt signal in Buffalo and word is they'll be adding more AAR affiliates in the months to come. Unlike the small operators that AAR had to start with (like in Phoenix, Dallas, Chicago and other "problem" markets) the larger companies can sell this format and can absorb the expenses since they own so many properties.

Progressive Talk radio has been one of the few shining lights in radio over the past couple years. As this regime continues to implode, it's a bonanza to this format. Also, the ratings for all political talk stations go up during election years...this one surely won't be an exception. The "big boys" will see the dollar signs and I expect MORE AAR stations soon, not less.

[JanMichael]

50. Guy James was shut down by his conservative station.

He was paying for his time out of pocket (And through DU donors too) but they finally, after 2 years on air ad good ratings, told him to go pound sand and replaced him with more Rush and Hannity.

It was a purely ideological decision which goes to show how "free" our press is.

This shit is going too far and something drastic must be done.

They said his views weren't the local views of SW Florida, which is fairly Repuke, but what about the 40% there that don't dig neoCons?

[DenaliDemocrat]

51. So instead of whining

why don't we get together and start purchasing Fundie radio stations. Getting Rush off of the air would make my decade. If there is a link to donate to such a group, I would gladly send any and all of my share of the tax return to it.

[Acebass]

53. Count me in...(n/t)