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Air America Radio CEO: 75 Stations By August, AAR News Service To Launch in Sept

F

FilmCritic3000

Guest
http://www.ndnpac.org/npi/npiforum/npi_forum_video.html

In the following link, Air America Radio CEO Danny Goldberg mentions that they'll have 75 stations by August and that a much more expansive version of Air America Radio News will be launching in September to "provide news for our stations and beyond".<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by FilmCritic3000 on 07/10/05 04:34 AM.</FONT></P>
 
> http://www.ndnpac.org/npi/npiforum/npi_forum_video.html
>
> In the following link, Air America Radio CEO Danny Golberg
> mentions that they'll have 75 stations by August and that a
> much more expansive version of Air America Radio News will
> be launching in September to "provide news for our stations
> and beyond".
>

Actually, he said 74.

This record producer, who admits is lack of experience in or knowledge of radio, is going to start a news service!?! Our stations? They only have one station (WLIB, New York). A handful of others carry their news broadcasts. Most carry news from CNN, ABC or their local station clusters. And with good reason: "Air America Radio News" is terrible. Wire copy repeated from one to the next. Little sound. And the world's worst newsreader. They don't sound like network radio news. They don't even sound like market 150 local news. But Goldberg shows his igorance - or perhaps hubris - declaring he's just going to go start a radio network news division from scratch and the world will beat a path to his door. AAR places programming on all but two progressive talk stations. Why would a traditional news-talk station want to switch from Westwood (CBS, CNN), ABC or Fox for progressive news from AAR?
 
> > http://www.ndnpac.org/npi/npiforum/npi_forum_video.html
> >
> > In the following link, Air America Radio CEO Danny Golberg
>
> > mentions that they'll have 75 stations by August and that
> a
> > much more expansive version of Air America Radio News will
>
> > be launching in September to "provide news for our
> stations
> > and beyond".
> >
>
> Actually, he said 74.

74 + XM equals 75?
>
> This record producer, who admits is lack of experience in or
> knowledge of radio, is going to start a news service!?! Our
> stations?

I hope no one at NBC or Fox ever calls affiliates not owned as "our stations".

They only have one station (WLIB, New York). A
> handful of others carry their news broadcasts. Most carry
> news from CNN, ABC or their local station clusters. And
> with good reason: "Air America Radio News" is terrible.
> Wire copy repeated from one to the next. Little sound. And
> the world's worst newsreader. They don't sound like network
> radio news.

No they don't, and their listeners are not traditional Talk-radio listeners either. Why sell ABC or CNN news intended for conservative talk stations to liberal talk stations? I think several of the newsreaders I have heard sound fine, but they don't have the quality of the traditional networks (CBS or CNN)- looks like Goldberg sees that and is addressing.

> They don't even sound like market 150 local
> news.

They may not succeed but come on- NPR local readers are not as good as the AAR guys. And as for local corporate/network news- talk about low quality...

I bet most talk-radio (liberal or conservative) listeners want slant over style. This is called "the stories you won't hear anywhere else", because, of course, mainstream media is a corporate tool or liberal mecca.

> But Goldberg shows his igorance - or perhaps hubris -
> declaring he's just going to go start a radio network news
> division from scratch and the world will beat a path to his
> door. AAR places programming on all but two progressive
> talk stations. Why would a traditional news-talk station
> want to switch from Westwood (CBS, CNN), ABC or Fox for
> progressive news from AAR?

I don't think they (traditional news-talk) would use AAR- but perhaps a current hits radio station or some other format (happy talk?) would be interested. Maybe Clear Channel is interested- they want less of the traditional top of the hour blurb the networks are putting out. Fox may not fit in neatly everywhere; station owners may want to think twice about helping their competitors that own large radio media groups (like CBS and ABC). If you own a few stations would you not think twice about playing news from CBS that owns several stations that compete with you? May seem funny to talk about but Pepsi lost several fast-food accounts (Burger King I remember specifically) when it purchased Taco Bell/Pizza Hut/KFC.
 
> http://www.ndnpac.org/npi/npiforum/npi_forum_video.html
>
> In the following link, Air America Radio CEO Danny Golberg
> mentions that they'll have 75 stations by August and that a
> much more expansive version of Air America Radio News will
> be launching in September to "provide news for our stations
> and beyond".


The real news at NDN event was made during the q & a session. In a response to a question, Goldberg said that AAR will be launching a talk show with a liberal theme in September. With Republican getting 70% of the vote amoung regular white church-goers, this seems to a risky strategy. Especially since AAR rarely introduces new shows.
 
> They only have one station (WLIB, New York). A
> > handful of others carry their news broadcasts. Most carry
>
> > news from CNN, ABC or their local station clusters. And
> > with good reason: "Air America Radio News" is terrible.
> > Wire copy repeated from one to the next. Little sound.
> And
> > the world's worst newsreader. They don't sound like
> network
> > radio news.
>
> No they don't, and their listeners are not traditional
> Talk-radio listeners either. Why sell ABC or CNN news
> intended for conservative talk stations to liberal talk
> stations? I think several of the newsreaders I have heard
> sound fine, but they don't have the quality of the
> traditional networks (CBS or CNN)- looks like Goldberg sees
> that and is addressing.


Actually, I do know that KPOJ/Portland, OR does run a mix of AAR and ABC news feeds.

And as for quality, from what I have heard, AAR has vastly improved since its on air quality of its news readers since its debut, and a true news service with its own reporters seems the most logical next step. Besides, they can't be any worse than thier conservative counterparts, SRN/Salem and USA Radio. Both sound like Ameteur-Night-In-Dixie-Warmed-Over.

Don
 
Dog Bites Man

Huh? Did miss something? AAR launching a talk show with a liberal theme! Isn't that what they do?

They have introduced several new weekend shows plus a new early morning show. And, of course, they droped Unfiltered and took Jerry Springer's syndicated show from WCKY, Cincinnati.

>
>
> The real news at NDN event was made during the q & a
> session. In a response to a question, Goldberg said that
> AAR will be launching a talk show with a liberal theme in
> September. With Republican getting 70% of the vote amoung
> regular white church-goers, this seems to a risky strategy.
> Especially since AAR rarely introduces new shows.
>
 
Re: Dog Bites Man

> Huh? Did miss something? AAR launching a talk show with a
> liberal theme! Isn't that what they do?
>
> They have introduced several new weekend shows plus a new
> early morning show. And, of course, they droped Unfiltered
> and took Jerry Springer's syndicated show from WCKY,
> Cincinnati.
>

I'm guessing he meant a show covering topics regarding religion.
 
It would be a lot easier to respond had you provided a thought-out response rather than just making interjections into my original post.

Goldberg said "74 stations."

Network broadcasters refer to affiliated stations are "our affiliates." They refer to O&O's as "our stations." This may say something about AAR's mind-set: They seem to consider the stations which carry their programs as repeaters, not as independent affiliated stations. They seem to have done a good job of selling this to some listeners, who talk about a given station "pre-empting" Randi Rhodes for Ed Schultz. AAR at first attempted to require stations to clear their schedule in its entirety - take it all or leave it. Circumstances have forced them to syndicate programs on an a la carte basis - like every other program distributor in radio and television. But AAR seems to cling to the delusion that they control transmitters across the country, sort of like national broadcasters in Europe.

Apparently, AAR is out-sourcing their news evenings and weekends. Whoever does their news for them sounds OK. Bill Crowley and Wayne Gellman are the only two who actually work for Air America Radio (plus Rachel Maddow now does some newscasts). Crowley doesn't sound bad. Maddow is pretty good. Gellman is atrocious.

I agree: Air America Radio News should have a point of view. They don't. They also don't have good writing and good presentation. I also agree that AAR listeners might want a different sort of newscast (in story selection and presentation) than the standard ABC-CNN-CBS radio TOH news. But so far, it's same old same old - only not does as well as the established networks. The only news broadcast I can think of with a point of view is Paul Harvey. What AAR needs, in my view, is to develop one or more liberal "Paul Harveys."

> > > http://www.ndnpac.org/npi/npiforum/npi_forum_video.html
>
> > >
> > > In the following link, Air America Radio CEO Danny
> Golberg
> >
> > > mentions that they'll have 75 stations by August and
> that
> > a
> > > much more expansive version of Air America Radio News
> will
> >
> > > be launching in September to "provide news for our
> > stations
> > > and beyond".
> > >
> >
> > Actually, he said 74.
>
> 74 + XM equals 75?
> >
> > This record producer, who admits is lack of experience in
> or
> > knowledge of radio, is going to start a news service!?!
> Our
> > stations?
>
> I hope no one at NBC or Fox ever calls affiliates not owned
> as "our stations".
>
> They only have one station (WLIB, New York). A
> > handful of others carry their news broadcasts. Most carry
>
> > news from CNN, ABC or their local station clusters. And
> > with good reason: "Air America Radio News" is terrible.
> > Wire copy repeated from one to the next. Little sound.
> And
> > the world's worst newsreader. They don't sound like
> network
> > radio news.
>
> No they don't, and their listeners are not traditional
> Talk-radio listeners either. Why sell ABC or CNN news
> intended for conservative talk stations to liberal talk
> stations? I think several of the newsreaders I have heard
> sound fine, but they don't have the quality of the
> traditional networks (CBS or CNN)- looks like Goldberg sees
> that and is addressing.
>
> > They don't even sound like market 150 local
> > news.
>
> They may not succeed but come on- NPR local readers are not
> as good as the AAR guys. And as for local corporate/network
> news- talk about low quality...
>
> I bet most talk-radio (liberal or conservative) listeners
> want slant over style. This is called "the stories you won't
> hear anywhere else", because, of course, mainstream media is
> a corporate tool or liberal mecca.
>
> > But Goldberg shows his igorance - or perhaps hubris -
> > declaring he's just going to go start a radio network news
>
> > division from scratch and the world will beat a path to
> his
> > door. AAR places programming on all but two progressive
> > talk stations. Why would a traditional news-talk station
> > want to switch from Westwood (CBS, CNN), ABC or Fox for
> > progressive news from AAR?
>
> I don't think they (traditional news-talk) would use AAR-
> but perhaps a current hits radio station or some other
> format (happy talk?) would be interested. Maybe Clear
> Channel is interested- they want less of the traditional top
> of the hour blurb the networks are putting out. Fox may not
> fit in neatly everywhere; station owners may want to think
> twice about helping their competitors that own large radio
> media groups (like CBS and ABC). If you own a few stations
> would you not think twice about playing news from CBS that
> owns several stations that compete with you? May seem funny
> to talk about but Pepsi lost several fast-food accounts
> (Burger King I remember specifically) when it purchased Taco
> Bell/Pizza Hut/KFC.
>
 
Re: Dog Bites Man

> Huh? Did miss something? AAR launching a talk show with a
> liberal theme! Isn't that what they do?

I meant to say "religious" not "liberal".


> They have introduced several new weekend shows plus a new
> early morning show. And, of course, they droped Unfiltered
> and took Jerry Springer's syndicated show from WCKY,
> Cincinnati.
>
> >
> >
> > The real news at NDN event was made during the q & a
> > session. In a response to a question, Goldberg said that
> > AAR will be launching a talk show with a liberal theme in
> > September. With Republican getting 70% of the vote amoung
>
> > regular white church-goers, this seems to a risky
> strategy.
> > Especially since AAR rarely introduces new shows.
> >
>
 
News of the Future

> > Huh? Did miss something? AAR launching a talk show with
> a
> > liberal theme! Isn't that what they do?
>
> I meant to say "religious" not "liberal".
>
>

Now I got it. Once again, this board is ahead of the news. As I recall people on this board were proposing that a couple of months ago.
 
I have been writing AAR and using my contacts to preach for an AP partnership....I just don't think its sending good capital out to try to create a news operation.... AP or Reuters or a suitable organinzation (not FOX, CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC) could help AAR do a good news cast.....I don't agree that they need a specific point of view....thats what FOX is doing...but they should develop with a good organization a really solid broadcast that covers all spectrums...and the should use existing resources to edit a "liberal" version of the all spectrum broadcast for optional delivery (maybe on the half hour).

For commentary, Will Durst, Bill Maher, Bill Press, Molly Ivins, Jim Hightower, Mort Sahl and others would make great commentary specialist.....WKOX in Boston is using the highly respected Jimmy Tingle at various times of the morning....and it works ..just wish it was different material each time...but it doesnt have to be.


>
> Apparently, AAR is out-sourcing their news evenings and
> weekends. Whoever does their news for them sounds OK. Bill
> Crowley and Wayne Gellman are the only two who actually work
> for Air America Radio (plus Rachel Maddow now does some
> newscasts). Crowley doesn't sound bad. Maddow is pretty
> good. Gellman is atrocious.
>
> I agree: Air America Radio News should have a point of view.
> They don't. They also don't have good writing and good
> presentation. I also agree that AAR listeners might want a
> different sort of newscast (in story selection and
> presentation) than the standard ABC-CNN-CBS radio TOH news.
> But so far, it's same old same old - only not does as well
> as the established networks. The only news broadcast I can
> think of with a point of view is Paul Harvey. What AAR
> needs, in my view, is to develop one or more liberal "Paul
> Harveys."
>
> > > >
> http://www.ndnpac.org/npi/npiforum/npi_forum_video.html
> >
> > > >
> > > > In the following link, Air America Radio CEO Danny
> > Golberg
> > >
> > > > mentions that they'll have 75 stations by August and
> > that
> > > a
> > > > much more expansive version of Air America Radio News
> > will
> > >
> > > > be launching in September to "provide news for our
> > > stations
> > > > and beyond".
> > > >
> > >
> > > Actually, he said 74.
> >
> > 74 + XM equals 75?
> > >
> > > This record producer, who admits is lack of experience
> in
> > or
> > > knowledge of radio, is going to start a news service!?!
>
> > Our
> > > stations?
> >
> > I hope no one at NBC or Fox ever calls affiliates not
> owned
> > as "our stations".
> >
> > They only have one station (WLIB, New York). A
> > > handful of others carry their news broadcasts. Most
> carry
> >
> > > news from CNN, ABC or their local station clusters. And
>
> > > with good reason: "Air America Radio News" is terrible.
>
> > > Wire copy repeated from one to the next. Little sound.
>
> > And
> > > the world's worst newsreader. They don't sound like
> > network
> > > radio news.
> >
> > No they don't, and their listeners are not traditional
> > Talk-radio listeners either. Why sell ABC or CNN news
> > intended for conservative talk stations to liberal talk
> > stations? I think several of the newsreaders I have heard
> > sound fine, but they don't have the quality of the
> > traditional networks (CBS or CNN)- looks like Goldberg
> sees
> > that and is addressing.
> >
> > > They don't even sound like market 150 local
> > > news.
> >
> > They may not succeed but come on- NPR local readers are
> not
> > as good as the AAR guys. And as for local
> corporate/network
> > news- talk about low quality...
> >
> > I bet most talk-radio (liberal or conservative) listeners
> > want slant over style. This is called "the stories you
> won't
> > hear anywhere else", because, of course, mainstream media
> is
> > a corporate tool or liberal mecca.
> >
> > > But Goldberg shows his igorance - or perhaps hubris -
> > > declaring he's just going to go start a radio network
> news
> >
> > > division from scratch and the world will beat a path to
> > his
> > > door. AAR places programming on all but two progressive
>
> > > talk stations. Why would a traditional news-talk
> station
> > > want to switch from Westwood (CBS, CNN), ABC or Fox for
> > > progressive news from AAR?
> >
> > I don't think they (traditional news-talk) would use AAR-
> > but perhaps a current hits radio station or some other
> > format (happy talk?) would be interested. Maybe Clear
> > Channel is interested- they want less of the traditional
> top
> > of the hour blurb the networks are putting out. Fox may
> not
> > fit in neatly everywhere; station owners may want to think
>
> > twice about helping their competitors that own large radio
>
> > media groups (like CBS and ABC). If you own a few stations
>
> > would you not think twice about playing news from CBS that
>
> > owns several stations that compete with you? May seem
> funny
> > to talk about but Pepsi lost several fast-food accounts
> > (Burger King I remember specifically) when it purchased
> Taco
> > Bell/Pizza Hut/KFC.
> >
>
 
Re: Traditional talk radio...ABC,CBS,AP,CNN,USA,AAR

> No they don't, and their listeners are not traditional
> Talk-radio listeners either. Why sell ABC or CNN news
> intended for conservative talk stations to liberal talk
> stations?

ABC, CBS, AP, CNN, USA, etc. are not exclusively on Conservative-only talk stations. Generally speaking, potential listeners to liberal talk hosts are no different than potential listeners to conservative talk programs. 49 million Americans voted for Kerry. People who voted for Bush still listen to liberal talkers. Many major 50kW US stations in top markets have both conservative and liberal talk programs, and this has been the case for many years prior to Air America. Liberal and left leaning hosts have been in syndication and on local stations for decades prior to Air America.

> I don't think they (traditional news-talk) would use AAR-
> but perhaps a current hits radio station or some other
> format (happy talk?) would be interested.

What do you mean by traditional??? Talk radio (even conservative talk radio) is always changing to keep up with technology, current trends in the industry, and to keep ratings and revenue going. Progressive talk is one current trend in the industry but it is not new. If AAR someday produces a good news product w/ the quality of ABC,CBS,AP,CNN, then they could market it to non-Air America stations in order to make more money. Perhaps the various news programs affiliated with Pacifica radio networks could collaborate with Air America for hourly news???
 
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