No more Air America Radio - starting tomorrow - End of an Era

[Mira]

This was the last sentence of Ed on the Ed show just now, he also said: "It will not affect my radio show."

That's all, so far.

I don't like to bring this news.
Air America Radio has meant a lot to me over that last hard years, and I thank them, and I supported them as much as I was able.

[Sebastian Doyle]

1. Starting today actually.

As of 6PM Eastern/3PM Pacific there is no more original programming. It's really fucked up that they cut the broadcasting right before Ron Reagan's show, considering he was the ONLY one in their weekday lineup that wasn't a fucking joke.

I mourn for the REAL Air America.... the network with loads of talent and over 100 affiliates that Mark Green and the DLC systematically murdered, beginning on August 30, 2006 when they betrayed Mike Malloy.

[madrchsod]

2. am 820/92.5 is alive and well

http://www.chicagoprogressivetalk.com/

i listen to bill press,mama,big ed,thom,and ron before the station switches to chicago house music at 8 pm. various programming on the weekends. chicago am 670 afternoon sports guys are worth listening to for sports and social commentary. they are the best sports guys in america.

[lillypaddle]

23. Thanks for the link!

Am streaming now.

[HootieMcBoob]

3. Turned on Ron Reagan at 6

I was wondering why it was a repeat.

[marginlized]

4. Truly a Shame

Media needs all the diverse opinion the country can support. This just shows the concentration of wealth (and media ownership) in American. That even syndicated radio shows that aren't in line with a Murdoch or Hearst struggle and fail. But this only makes me wonder how Pacifica Foundation even survives. In the 70's, my parents warned me not to listen to Pacifica because they were commies.

[hlthe2b]

5. I agree with you totally, Mira... AAR and DU kept me sane...

I hated the management decisions they made over the years which went far towards ensuring their demise. But, I am saddened.

[senseandsensibility]

6. Very sad

Another blow on a day of hard knocks.

[Joe Fields]

7. Well, at least it lasted longer than Conan on the Tonight Show.

[hlthe2b]

8. Anyone know if Ron Reagan has any offers to host his show

elsewhere?

I raise a toast to some of the notable alumns of AAR--many who have gone on to much bigger horizons: Rachel Maddow, Al Franken, Marc Maron, Janeane Garofalo, Sam Seder, Ron Reagan, Thom Hartmon, Randi Rhodes, Liz Winstead, Mike Malloy


I'm sure I've missed some, but these are the ones that I will always remember from that time. :toast:

[hlthe2b]

9. Statement from Air America Radio....

It is with the greatest regret, on behalf of our Board, that we must announce that Air America Media is ceasing its live programming operations as of this afternoon, and that the Company will file soon under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code to carry out an orderly winding-down of the business.

The very difficult economic environment has had a significant impact on Air America's business. This past year has seen a "perfect storm" in the media industry generally. National and local advertising revenues have fallen drastically, causing many media companies nationwide to fold or seek bankruptcy protection. From large to small, recent bankruptcies like Citadel Broadcasting and closures like that of the industry's long-time trade publication Radio and Records have signaled that these are very difficult and rapidly changing times.

Those companies that remain are facing audience fragmentation as a result of new media technologies, are often saddled with crushing debt, and have generally found it difficult to obtain operating or investment capital from traditional sources of funding. In this climate, our painstaking search for new investors has come close several times right up into this week, but ultimately fell short of success.

With radio industry ad revenues down for 10 consecutive quarters, and reportedly off 21% in 2009, signs of improvement have consisted of hoping things will be less bad. And though Internet/new media revenues are projected to grow, our expanding online efforts face the same monetization and profitability challenges in the short term confronting the Web operations of most media companies

When Air America Radio launched in April, 2004 with already-known personalities like Al Franken and then-unknown future stars like Rachel Maddow, it was the only full-time progressive voice in the mainstream broadcast media world. At a critical time in our nation's history — when dissent on issues such as the Iraq war were often denounced as "un-American" — Air America and its talented team helped millions of Americans remember the importance of compelling discussion about the most pivotal events and decisions of our generation.

Through some 100 radio outlets nationwide, Air America helped build a new sense of purpose and determination among American progressives. With this revival, the progressive movement made major gains in the 2006 mid-term elections and, more recently, in the election of President Barack Obama and a strongly Democratic Congress.

Laws have changed for the better thanks to this revival.....but all the same our company cannot escape the laws of economics. So we intend a rapid, orderly closure over the next few days. All current employees will be paid through today, January 21. A severance package will be offered tomorrow to full-time current employees with more than six months of tenure.

We will strive to assist affiliates and partners in achieving a smooth transition. Starting at 6 pm EST today, we will provide our affiliates, listeners and users a selection of encore programming until 9 pm EST on Monday, January 25, at which time Air America programming will end.

We are proud that Air America's mission lives on through the words and actions of so many former radio hosts who are active today in progressive causes and media nationwide. In the years ahead, as we look back, we should all be proud of our passionate determination to assure that our nation's progressive voice would be heard loud and clear. Through the hard work and dedication of current staff, and those who preceded you, a lasting legacy was forged which will now continue through other voices and venues.

Thank you.

http://airamerica.com/listen

[Mira]

10. Thank you for this. N/T

[Zywiec]

11. Less than six years is an era?

They only started in the Spring of 2004.

:shrug:

[hlthe2b]

12. for Progressive Radio, yes... this was an era

[Mira]

15. It is to me in this case. Believe me. It's OK with me if it's a blip to you.

Air America was a god send, just like DU was, at a very dark time.

I got discouraged with them over time, just like others did. To me it was worthy of being said good bye to for what it once meant to me.

[crazyjoe]

24. Hey, in dog years that's like 42 years!

[Frank Cannon]

25. They emerged in the depths of the Bush/Cheney darkness

For some of us out there in "radioland", they were the ONLY voice of sanity that could be heard on the airwaves at that time.

Air America started out with everything working in their favor. Their management began losing their way from day one.

[BlueJac]

13. Thom Hartmann is the answer, he is great!

[falcon97]

14. Is he still on the air?

I mean, is he still on his Portland station, available on-line? The station here in Detroit ran him and Ron Reagan. I can get by without Ron, but not Thom...

[Liberal In Texas]

18. The network is defunct. Not your local station.

Most of the important progressive talkers bailed or were fired by AAR long ago. Ron Reagan and Ring of Fire probably the only two remaining worth listening to.

[hlthe2b]

21. He's on a lot of progressive stations via Pacifica Radio also XM

Sirius satellite. Thom has only increased his marketshare since leaving AAR. He is available online on several stations as well. Also doing a tv broadcast, though I don't know how to access.

[hlthe2b]

16. Apparently RIng of Fire (Robert Kennedy & Mike Papantonio)

will survive--- I saw that they are being picked up by Westwood syndication... SOunds like they will have more info on their website soon (ringoffireradio.com)

[Strelnikov_]

19. Now thats some good news n/t

[Strelnikov_]

20. Message on their site. As you say, they will go on.

If you hadn't already heard, Air America Radio is ceasing operations as of this afternoon. Please take the time to read the message at AirAmerica.com.

We have been with Air America since the earliest days of the network, and it is very sad to see one of the only liberal outlets in this country have to close their doors. We believe very strongly in what Air America was working to accomplish, and their presence on the radio will be tremendously missed.

I'm sure you are all now wondering what will become of Ring of Fire. The short answer is "nothing." We will continue to run our weekly radio show. Ring of Fire is independently produced, and we were only syndicated through Air America. We will simply be syndicated through another company, but rest assured, you will not miss a single beat. We are still set to air as per usual.

[hlthe2b]

17. Ron Reagan indicates he is searching for a new spot...

on the Ron Reagan Facebook page:

The Ron Reagan Show In case you haven't heard, Air America filed chapter 7 this afternoon. We will keep our fan page up and let you know where we land. Thanks for listening!!

[lillypaddle]

22. I just found this out this morning

I am SICK about it. I can't imagine not being able to hear Jack Rice, Ron Reagan, and all the others. I've streamed AA at work all day and at home on the computer for years. This sucks. :cry: