Air America Loses Madison, WI Affiliate to Fox Sports Radio

[evnlee]

when has a 'petition' ever changed CC management's positions? :

We'll see.

Remember the Dixie Chicks fiasco

talk about irony. :

The Ditsy Twits issue was with Cumulus, not Clear Channel.

When CC agreed to run 'progressive talk' via the now bankrupt Err Amerika, then CC was 'all good' and 'saw a promising format'.

Now, when they pull AAR, it's all because of thier politics.
ridiculous.

 

[kaufcom]

The Ditsy Twits issue was with Cumulus, not Clear Channel.

A google search for "Dixie Chicks" and "Clear Channel" produces 81,000 hits

When CC agreed to run 'progressive talk' via the now bankrupt Err Amerika, then CC was 'all good' and 'saw a promising format'. Now, when they pull AAR, it's all because of thier politics.
ridiculous.

Politics cannot be avoided given the history of CC. I agree that recent moves by CC and other station owners are probably more related to the AAR bankruptcy than politics. However, my point is that it's harder to drop a political talk station than an oldies or standard station. Watch Madison. If CC backs done that will say a lot.

 

[evnlee]

The Ditsy Twits issue was with Cumulus, not Clear Channel.

A google search for "Dixie Chicks" and "Clear Channel" produces 81,000 hits

and what's the second from top link in the google search? the #2 google entry?

this little gem:

MYTH: Clear Channel radio stations banned air-play of the Dixie Chicks after political comments.
FACT: The radio company that banned the Dixie Chicks was Cumulus Media, not Clear Channel. That company also hosted the CD-smashing ceremony outside its Atlanta, Ga. headquarters, during which bulldozers crushed the group's CDs. Simon Renshaw, the Dixie Chicks' manager, told the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee in July that Clear Channel Communications did not ban the group's music and had received a "bad rap."


http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=1167&p=hidden

with research like that, your blog must be the height of credibility. :

 

[kaufcom]

MYTH: Clear Channel radio stations banned air-play of the Dixie Chicks after political comments.
FACT: The radio company that banned the Dixie Chicks was Cumulus Media, not Clear Channel. That company also hosted the CD-smashing ceremony outside its Atlanta, Ga. headquarters, during which bulldozers crushed the group's CDs. Simon Renshaw, the Dixie Chicks' manager, told the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee in July that Clear Channel Communications did not ban the group's music and had received a "bad rap."

Following are some of the first ten of the 81,000 google hits for "Dixie Chicks" and "Clear Channel"

The Business Journal of Jacksonville
March 18, 2003

Dixie Chicks axed by Clear Channel

Country music's No. 1 act, The Dixie Chicks, have been pulled from radio playlists thanks to a remark singer Natalie Maines made in London last week.

From Wikipedia
Some critics of Clear Channel, including the editors of Rock and Rap Confidential, claim that Clear Channel executives, in a bid to gain support for various policies they were pushing in Washington, instigated the boycott among its country music stations to send a message to other musicians that criticizing President George Bush's administration could hurt their careers through reduced airplay

New York Times
March 23, 2003

The CD-smashing rally was organized by KRMD, part of Cumulus Media, a radio chain that has banned the Dixie Chicks from its playlists. Most of the pro-war demonstrations around the country have, however, been organized by stations owned by Clear Channel Communications, a behemoth based in San Antonio that controls more than 1,200 stations and increasingly dominates the airwaves.


By The Editors of Rock and Rap Confidential
May 17
The Dixie Chicks Cross the Road
Chain radio stations were quick to dump the Chicks because their parent companies (Clear Channel, Viacom, et al) have pressing business in the nation's capitol and they want help from the Republican Party.

USA Today
7/19/06
John Hogan, CEO of Clear Channel found it harder to escape criticism that year when a few of his stations stopped playing the Dixie Chicks after singer Natalie Maines criticized President Bush. Liberal New York Times columnist Paul Krugman said the company "appears to be using its clout to help one side in a political dispute."

MSNBC
July 24, 2006
Clear Channel stations were said to be key in keeping the Dixie Chicks’ music off the air after one of them made highly publicized comments about being “embarrassed” to be from the same state as George Bush.

 

[ajhenderson]

Politics cannot be avoided given the history of CC. I agree that recent moves by CC and other station owners are probably more related to the AAR bankruptcy than politics. However, my point is that it's harder to drop a political talk station than an oldies or standard station. Watch Madison. If CC backs done that will say a lot.

It will say nothing. And they won't.

 

[evnlee]

MYTH: Clear Channel radio stations banned air-play of the Dixie Chicks after political comments.
FACT: The radio company that banned the Dixie Chicks was Cumulus Media, not Clear Channel. That company also hosted the CD-smashing ceremony outside its Atlanta, Ga. headquarters, during which bulldozers crushed the group's CDs. Simon Renshaw, the Dixie Chicks' manager, told the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee in July that Clear Channel Communications did not ban the group's music and had received a "bad rap."

Following are some of the first ten of the 81,000 google hits for "Dixie Chicks" and "Clear Channel"

The Business Journal of Jacksonville
March 18, 2003

Dixie Chicks axed by Clear Channel

Country music's No. 1 act, The Dixie Chicks, have been pulled from radio playlists thanks to a remark singer Natalie Maines made in London last week.

From Wikipedia
Some critics of Clear Channel, including the editors of Rock and Rap Confidential, claim that Clear Channel executives, in a bid to gain support for various policies they were pushing in Washington, instigated the boycott among its country music stations to send a message to other musicians that criticizing President George Bush's administration could hurt their careers through reduced airplay

New York Times
March 23, 2003

The CD-smashing rally was organized by KRMD, part of Cumulus Media, a radio chain that has banned the Dixie Chicks from its playlists. Most of the pro-war demonstrations around the country have, however, been organized by stations owned by Clear Channel Communications, a behemoth based in San Antonio that controls more than 1,200 stations and increasingly dominates the airwaves.


By The Editors of Rock and Rap Confidential
May 17
The Dixie Chicks Cross the Road
Chain radio stations were quick to dump the Chicks because their parent companies (Clear Channel, Viacom, et al) have pressing business in the nation's capitol and they want help from the Republican Party.

USA Today
7/19/06
John Hogan, CEO of Clear Channel found it harder to escape criticism that year when a few of his stations stopped playing the Dixie Chicks after singer Natalie Maines criticized President Bush. Liberal New York Times columnist Paul Krugman said the company "appears to be using its clout to help one side in a political dispute."

MSNBC
July 24, 2006
Clear Channel stations were said to be key in keeping the Dixie Chicks’ music off the air after one of them made highly publicized comments about being “embarrassed” to be from the same state as George Bush.

Baroosk, c'mon.

I gave you a direct press release quoting the Twits tour manager stating: Clear Channel Communications did not ban the group's music and had received a "bad rap."


Then you follow up with links of so called 'objective' journalistic entities such as ,ahem, MSNBC,USA Today, and the NY Times. So to counter the facts, you continue quoting the false and fallacious articles from whence the 'bad rap' was born :

In your zeal to discredit Clear Channel, who you liked when they were putting on AAR, but dislike now that they are booting them, you have just demonstrated to everyone reading this board that you don't even read the links you provide for discussion. Sad.

I might also point out that the subsequent hearings held by Mccain ( according to a Reuters report dated july 11, 2003) states "Lewis W. Dickey Jr., chairman/CEO of Atlanta-based Cumulus -- which owns about 275 stations -- took all of the heat regarding the Chicks episode. The company lifted the ban in May, but not before disciplining DJs at two stations for defying the edict."

(Oh, by the way. During this time period I worked in the Cumulus HQ, received my checks signed by Lew Dickie, and produced a pm drive talk show that dealt with this issue in depth.)

I think we should all start a petition asking you to get your facts straight before you post here, for the benefit of the public

 

[kaufcom]

Baroosk, c'mon.

I gave you a direct press release quoting the Twits tour manager stating: Clear Channel Communications did not ban the group's music and had received a "bad rap."
Then you follow up with links of so called 'objective' journalistic entities such as ,ahem, MSNBC,USA Today, and the NY Times. So to counter the facts, you continue quoting the false and fallacious articles from whence the 'bad rap' was born :

You gave me a " press release" I gave you several sources from reputable news services like MSNBC, USA Today, and the NY Times. What makes you think your source is correct and mine incorrect?

In your zeal to discredit Clear Channel, who you liked when they were putting on AAR, but dislike now that they are booting them, you have just demonstrated to everyone reading this board that you don't even read the links you provide for discussion. Sad.

I have nothing against Clear Channel.

I might also point out that the subsequent hearings held by Mccain ( according to a Reuters report dated july 11, 2003) states "Lewis W. Dickey Jr., chairman/CEO of Atlanta-based Cumulus -- which owns about 275 stations (Oh, by the way. During this time period I worked in the Cumulus HQ, received my checks signed by Lew Dickie, and produced a pm drive talk show that dealt with this issue in depth.)

and that makes you a reliable source?

I think we should all start a petition asking you to get your facts straight before you post here, for the benefit of the public

I would be honored if you do this

 

[evnlee]

Baroosk, c'mon.

I gave you a direct press release quoting the Twits tour manager stating: Clear Channel Communications did not ban the group's music and had received a "bad rap."
Then you follow up with links of so called 'objective' journalistic entities such as ,ahem, MSNBC,USA Today, and the NY Times. So to counter the facts, you continue quoting the false and fallacious articles from whence the 'bad rap' was born :

You gave me a " press release" I gave you several sources from reputable news services like MSNBC, USA Today, and the NY Times. What makes you think your source is correct and mine incorrect?

Because my source ( the Twits own manager, for petes sake ) testified under oath at a Senate hearing!!!

Just because some media outlets got it wrong, doesn't mean it's right.

If you expect me to believe you don't have anything 'against Clear Channel' when you yourself state 'thier politics cannot be ignored', you are deluded. :

 

[kaufcom]

Because my source ( the Twits own manager, for petes sake ) testified under oath at a Senate hearing!!! Just because some media outlets got it wrong, doesn't mean it's right.
If you expect me to believe you don't have anything 'against Clear Channel' when you yourself state 'thier politics cannot be ignored', you are deluded. :

[EDIT]

Thanks for taking time out from your feud with FI to respond to my post. Good job. You had a response posted in less than a minute. Do you have anything else to do with your time?


[EDIT-inflammatory]

 

[evnlee]

From Wikipedia
Some critics of Clear Channel, including the editors of Rock and Rap Confidential, claim that Clear Channel executives, in a bid to gain support for various policies they were pushing in Washington, instigated the boycott among its country music stations to send a message to other musicians that criticizing President George Bush's administration could hurt their careers through reduced airplay

oh yeah, the rest of the Wiki entry you conveniently left out:

Thinking the Dixie Chicks were now a pariah and thus unmarketable, all of the country music stations owned by 2 Atlanta-based companies, Cumulus Media and Cox Radio were told to stop playing their music. There is speculation that Clear Channel also may have directed their stations to do so,there is no proof of these accusations and Clear Channel denies them.


ouch.

 

[Radio_Realist]

Franken needs guys like you on his campaign staff.

Now you're getting too personal.

 

[bigtalkradiofan]

http://www.high-noon.com/calendarlisting.php?when=future

Tue. December 12 High Noon Saloon presents
92.1 The MIC: Rally for Progressive Talk Radio
7:00 pm / $no cover 21 AND UP

A rally and press conference is being held at the High Noon Saloon tonight from 7-8 pm. The event is being organized for businesses and citizens to show their support for the Mic 92.1 and their desire for Clear Channel Madison to keep the station on the air. The Mic has been a valuable resource for Madison residents to voice their opinions and discuss important local issues. Jeff Tyler, Vice President of Marketing with Clear Channel Madison, has requested feedback from businesses who feel the Mic is a good advertising avenue. Madison businesses and organizations will be speaking briefly about why they support the Mic, including representatives from The Dardanelles, High Noon Saloon, Tap It/New Works Theater, Community Action Coalition, the Alliance for Animals, WI Democracy Campaign, and Amnesty International, in addition to political figure Nelson Eisman. Valerie Walasek has created a petition to keep the Mic on the air, and during the event will be releasing the final number of signatures for delivery to Clear Channel.

 

[Radio_Realist]

So, all the usual suspects will be there. It won't do them any good, but the participants will all have a jolly good time.

 

[evnlee]

So, all the usual suspects will be there. It won't do them any good, but the participants will all have a jolly good time.

weve all seen this before. Atlanta, Phoenix, Cincy, it's always the same.

The 'petition and protest' is only the 3rd stage in the Progressive's acceptance of the death of AAR. When this fails, they will quickly move on to the 'bitter and buying into the conspiracy theories' stage, and then, finally, 'back to NPR with the tote bag'.

 

[bigtalkradiofan]

http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2006/12/little-of-this-little-of-that.html

Liberal Talk Radio

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

A little of this, a little of that

The Petition to save The Mic 92.1 has almost 5000 signatures. It has only been up a month. That is incredible!! In fact, 5000 signatures was the original goal set for it, but with one more week until it will be presented, the goal has been raised. Help us meet it. We need just over 2000 more signatures to hit the new goal of 7000.

.Oh, and if you miss Lee Rayburn and Jodie Shawback's "The Pro Show" make sure to catch weekly brand-new podcasts being recorded live every Tuesday until Christmas at Escape Coffee (916 Willy Street) from 7:00 am to 9:00 am, or listen to the recorded podcasts on http://mortymadcat.libsyn.com/

[Click link above for the complete blog.]

 

[bigtalkradiofan]

Capital Times - Big Ed: Ad sellers failed 'The Mic'

Capital Times - Big Ed: Ad sellers failed 'The Mic'

http://www.madison.com/tct/news/index.php?ntid=110412

Big Ed: Ad sellers failed 'The Mic'

By Rob Thomas
The Capital Times
Published: December 8, 2006
E-mail: [email protected]

"Our job is to get ratings," he says. "Not only our show, but other shows did what was expected of us. It was poor sales management and poor market management, in my opinion. It makes no business sense, and it makes no operational sense either. ...

"Sports is a huge radio platform and we have worked hard to bring all the sports events and sports talk which listeners want to this market," he said. "Madison is a sports town in a sports state.WTSO AM 1070 (ESPN RADIO) will produce two-and-a-half times the revenue output of The MIC 92.1 WXXM FM in 2006.

Tyler added that Clear Channel is looking at other ways to bring progressive talk to Madison, including through high-definition radio technology, and is also looking at moving hosts like Schultz to other Clear Channel stations in Madison.

Schultz says that progressive talk radio has to be run like any other radio format - like a business, with an eye on the bottom line and with sales in mind. He also says his primary focus is not to win any sort of political victory, but simply to do compelling radio.

"You can't go on the air with a mission to win elections," he says. "That's a very tunnel-vision view of how to do radio. It basically comes down to what's interesting."

[Click link above for complete Capital Times newspaper article.]

 

[evnlee]

Re: Capital Times - Big Ed: Ad sellers failed 'The Mic'

Capital Times - Big Ed: Ad sellers failed 'The Mic'

http://www.madison.com/tct/news/index.php?ntid=110412

Big Ed: Ad sellers failed 'The Mic'

By Rob Thomas
The Capital Times
Published: December 8, 2006
E-mail: [email protected]

"Our job is to get ratings," he says. "Not only our show, but other shows did what was expected of us. It was poor sales management and poor market management, in my opinion. It makes no business sense, and it makes no operational sense either. ...

"Sports is a huge radio platform and we have worked hard to bring all the sports events and sports talk which listeners want to this market," he said. "Madison is a sports town in a sports state.WTSO AM 1070 (ESPN RADIO) will produce two-and-a-half times the revenue output of The MIC 92.1 WXXM FM in 2006.

Tyler added that Clear Channel is looking at other ways to bring progressive talk to Madison, including through high-definition radio technology, and is also looking at moving hosts like Schultz to other Clear Channel stations in Madison.

Schultz says that progressive talk radio has to be run like any other radio format - like a business, with an eye on the bottom line and with sales in mind. He also says his primary focus is not to win any sort of political victory, but simply to do compelling radio.

"You can't go on the air with a mission to win elections," he says. "That's a very tunnel-vision view of how to do radio. It basically comes down to what's interesting."

[Click link above for complete Capital Times newspaper article.]

Jeff Tyler, Clear Channel Madison vice president, said that progressive talk outlets around the country have been struggling with advertising issues, and that the financial status of Air America, which filed for bankruptcy, is also a factor.


"There are many advertisers, local and national, who have been at conflict with the programming or stay away from controversial programming that has led to less than reasonable results," Tyler said in an e-mail Friday. "Our sales team successfully sells the overall top talk station in the market (WIBA AM 1310) and it ranks in the top 5 in market in revenue. There are obviously similar sales struggles with other progressive talk outlets in the country, including what the base network Air America Radio is currently going through with their bankruptcy. This is leading to other stations and ownerships dropping the format or modifying the lineup."

 

[bigtalkradiofan]

http://www.madison.com/blogs/wtdy/index.php?ntid=108347

11/21/2006 4:23 pm

Pulse Is Committed To Local Talk Hosts

By Madison's Mid-day Maverick Sly

There has been much speculation on whether or not another Madison radio station will pick up some of the syndicated programming that is being abandoned by Clear Channel.

The Capital Times recently urged Madison radio stations to consider picking up the Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller programs, which are distributed by Jones Media. These shows will NOT be returning to Madison 1670 The Pulse (WTDY) for a number of reasons. ...

[Click link above for the complete blog.]


http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/index.php?ntid=110808&ntpid=0

Editorial: Join the rally for The Mic

A Cap Times editorial, Dec. 12, 2006
Published: December 12, 2006

... They are also gathering advertisers and activists at 7 tonight at the High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave., to confirm the potential for this format to be a moneymaker for an owner that is serious about promoting it. Representatives from popular local restaurants and entertainment venues will speak, along with representatives of the Community Action Coalition, the Alliance for Animals, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and Amnesty International. Glass Nickel Pizza is donating food to show its support.

This is Madison raising its voice in defense of radio that recognizes and respects the communities where it broadcasts.

Clear Channel should listen.

[Click link above for the complete newspaper editorial.]

 

[evnlee]

waaaaahhhhhh!

"There is a mix of shock, outrage, disbelief and a little bit of anger," said Valerie Walasek, a 28-year-old listener who helped organize the movement to save the channel. "I'm not really doing that much, but I'm standing in front of thousands of people that really want to keep it on the air."

But so far, the company shows no signs of backing down from the format change planned for Jan. 1.

The company's market manager in Madison, Jeff Tyler, said too many advertisers stayed away from The Mic 92.1 FM because of opposition to the 2-year-old format mixing nationally known liberal talkers such as Al Franken with local hosts who discussed everything from city politics to animal rights.

[EDIT]

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8LVHJ800.htm


[EDIT-post truncated because originating material is copyprotected. Unauthorized use of copyrighted content is in violation of Radio-Info's TOS.]

 

[bigtalkradiofan]

Pasted below are links to the latest newspaper articles on the topic:

http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/index.php?ntid=111035

Big crowd rallies for The Mic

Vows fight to keep progressive radio on air

By Judith Davidoff
The Capital Times
Published: December 13, 2006
E-mail: [email protected]

[Click link above for the complete newspaper article.]


http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/index.php?ntid=111040&ntpid=2

Clear Channel sticks to decision

By Ryan J. Foley
Associated Press (reprinted in The Capital Times)
Published: December 13, 2006

[Click link above for the complete newspaper article.]