Update On Progressive Radio...

[KharmaTrain]

For those who didn't read/hear...Air America went Chapter 7 and closed down over the weekend. But that's having little effect on the radio world (the network had been on life support for a long time). From my morning radio newsletter, Ron Reagan will still continue to do his Seattle-based show on 1090AM and could be back on nationally soon...

CEO Charlie Kireker’s “orderly winding down of the business” led to furious activity focused on his station lineup. Some of them have already switched to other suppliers, some are deciding literally today (Clear Channel’s KTLK, Los Angeles at 1150, says LARadio.com), and some are going local. Here’s what’s happening – Clear Channel’s KPOJ, Portland (620) was one of Air America’s five charter stations. It’s losing Ron Reagan, Nicole Sandler and Rachel Maddow, plus weekend shows like Ana Marie Cox, Lionel, Jack Rice, Ring of Fire and State of Belief. Market manager Robert Dove tells Oregon Media Central they haven’t decided on replacements, though Stephanie Miller’s at least on the bubble. He speculates that Ron Reagan may wind up with a new syndicator (Dial Global?). That’s reinforced by CBS-owned KPTK, Seattle (1090). It says on its website “Although Ron Reagan was an Air America employee, we are pleased to announce that he will remain on air with new shows beginning Monday.” In the South Sound part of the Seattle metro, Clay Huntington’s KLAY, Lakewood (1180) replaces Montel Williams (7-9am) by hiring ex-Tacoma City Council member and former radio talker Mike Lonergan, says the News Tribune. In New York, WWRL (1600) will need to replace Maddow (5-6am), Montel (3-6pm) and Reagan (6-8pm). On the supplier side - I hear that Norman Goldman of Compass Media Networks (advised by Bill Figenshu) has a number of pickups and might do more than a dozen. Business TalkRadio Network and sister TalkRadio Network were contacting Air America affils with offers to get them new programming (Lou Dobbs, Doug Stephan, Pete & Brenda and specialized fare) “almost instantly.” “Free Thinker” Tom Donahue says he’s revising his approach for the 3-5pm show on American Voice Radio Network – going for more breaking news, more commentary, and fewer guests. And of course other suppliers (such as Dial Global) are out there working the phones.

Discuss...

[madrchsod]

1. i hope ron returns to 820-92.5

i like listening to him. his republican brother is stopping in my town to look at his dad`s statue and home. i`m half tempted to invite ron jr. if he`s in the chicago area.

[KharmaTrain]

2. I Suspect He Will...

WCPT's owners, Newsweb...a local company...were strong AAR supporters and I would think if both Ron & Rachel's shows were available they would grab 'em up. My problem with the station is they do little local programming...except for some weekend shows. A lot of it is financial, but I won't go into the "inside baseball" about problems with the stations and company.

Looks like I'll be steering clear of going near Dixon. I was in the town on the night Raygun won in 1980 and tried to find someone/anyone who had grown up with the "great expectorator"...most the locals didn't even know he had been born there. Of course, now, everyone knew him.

[madrchsod]

7. my dad knew him....

but he knew moon better---moon used to sell gin to my dad and his friends. my dad worked for his dad and moon during the ccc/wpa days. my dad`s favorite was "reagan was a big dumb "mick" ".


wait till next year! it`s going to be "reaganpolloza" in dixon!

[Peace Patriot]

3. Some excellent news/opinion sources I've recently discovered...

Jefferson Public Radio (JPR)--a really, really good public radio station, serving Oregon and Northern California, with live streaming on the web.

The Real News--leftist oriented videos (they did a great one on Haiti), on the web.

[KharmaTrain]

4. Internet Radio Will Change Things Soon...

One can already listen via IPhones and Blackberrys and soon, with the G4 systems, those signals will be available in cars and other devices...and is sure to change the way people listen to radio and force the industry to change as well.

I listen to Wisconsin Public radio as well as several college stations where I can find Amy Goodman and Pacifica radio programs. Honestly, Progressive talk can be tedious when it tries to be the opposite of right wing hate radio. For information, the best stations are to the left on your FM dial.

Cheers...

[coffeenap]

5. Thanks for this info--it means a lot.

I hope Ring of Fire continues and finds a home--it is a great program. I also wish someone could find a place for Chuck D. I remember learning so much from him during the very early days of AAR.

:hi:

[OnyxCollie]

6. Oh, shit. I forgot about Ring of Fire.

I was trying to find some more recent RoF podcasts and didn't see anything past January 9. I like RoF a lot.