Air America Radio goes begging

[mwebster]

Air America Radio started with rich backers, who probably got equity in the company. If money starts coming in, those people may actually get dividends and the suits will get bonuses. Not that there's anything wrong with that. They are a for-profit company.

But now they are sending out emails begging for money...
<blockquote>Dear Air America Radio Listener,

When we launched the Air America Radio network one year ago, the country was being talked to death by conservative zealots like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and others. Right Wing radio saturated every media market and every community – a dominance of the airwaves that has been a huge part of what allowed the Right Wing to:
<ul>
[*]Drag America into the Iraq war.
[*]Open up the Arctic National Refuge for oil drilling.
[*]Take over both houses of Congress.
[*]And, of course, win the 2004 Presidential election.
[/list]
Rather than wait for the Right Wing to run out of breath, we launched Air America Radio to give the country back its voice. Thanks to listeners like you, we have a presence on 70 stations covering 60% of U.S. media markets. Air America Radio currently offers 15 shows and runs 24 hours a day of entertaining – at times irreverent – but always enlightening programming.

To continue this great success story and start shaping the national debate the way that Right Wing talk radio does every day, we've got to reach into every community in this country. We know we can’t achieve this next stage of growth without significant help from you, our loyal listeners.

We’ve also been asked on many occasions by our listeners how they can help out. Today we are launching a new program called AIR AMERICA ASSOCIATES that gives you the opportunity to do just that.

http://airamericaradio.com/associates

Thank you very much for your support,

Danny Goldberg
Air America Radio CEO</blockquote>

Click on the link, and guess what, THEY WANT MONEY.
$50 gets you three AAR bumper stickers.
$100 gets the bumper stickers and the "stylish" tote bag.
$250 gets you all the above plus a "thank you" shout out.

Talk about cheap! Public radio has better offers than that. This sounds like a desperation move. How hard up for cash flow could they be? They are running spots but a lot of them sound like bottom-feeder PI (per inquiry) spots (no cash, they get a commission if anybody orders).

The least they could do is offer stock, then if the thing ever does take off people could see some return. Keep in mind folks, donations to a for-profit business are NOT deductible.

 

[talkjim]

Sounds to me like a lot of non-traditional revenue schemes throughout radio. I'm thinking of "premium" memberships at the websites of various conservative radio talk hosts.

So nice try at singling out Air America for some bashing.

Now, get back to the Sean Hannity show--if you hurry, you can still hear virutally all of today's show.

Air America Radio started with rich backers, who probably
> got equity in the company. If money starts coming in, those
> people may actually get dividends and the suits will get
> bonuses. Not that there's anything wrong with that. They
> are a for-profit company.
>
> But now they are sending out emails begging for money...
> Dear Air America Radio Listener,
>
> When we launched the Air America Radio network one year ago,
> the country was being talked to death by conservative
> zealots like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and
> others. Right Wing radio saturated every media market and
> every community – a dominance of the airwaves that has been
> a huge part of what allowed the Right Wing to:
>
> Drag America into the Iraq war.
> Open up the Arctic National Refuge for oil drilling.
> Take over both houses of Congress.
> And, of course, win the 2004 Presidential election.
>
> Rather than wait for the Right Wing to run out of breath, we
> launched Air America Radio to give the country back its
> voice. Thanks to listeners like you, we have a presence on
> 70 stations covering 60% of U.S. media markets. Air America
> Radio currently offers 15 shows and runs 24 hours a day of
> entertaining – at times irreverent – but always enlightening
> programming.
>
> To continue this great success story and start shaping the
> national debate the way that Right Wing talk radio does
> every day, we've got to reach into every community in this
> country. We know we can’t achieve this next stage of growth
> without significant help from you, our loyal listeners.
>
> We’ve also been asked on many occasions by our listeners how
> they can help out. Today we are launching a new program
> called AIR AMERICA ASSOCIATES that gives you the opportunity
> to do just that.
>
> http://airamericaradio.com/associates
>
> Thank you very much for your support,
>
> Danny Goldberg
> Air America Radio CEO
>
> Click on the link, and guess what, THEY WANT MONEY.
> $50 gets you three AAR bumper stickers.
> $100 gets the bumper stickers and the "stylish" tote bag.
> $250 gets you all the above plus a "thank you" shout out.
>
> Talk about cheap! Public radio has better offers than that.
> This sounds like a desperation move. How hard up for cash
> flow could they be? They are running spots but a lot of
> them sound like bottom-feeder PI (per inquiry) spots (no
> cash, they get a commission if anybody orders).
>
> The least they could do is offer stock, then if the thing
> ever does take off people could see some return. Keep in
> mind folks, donations to a for-profit business are NOT
> deductible.
>

 

[gr8oldies]

AAR really does need to decide if they want to be a profitable business or win the next election. "Reaching into every community" doesn't mean that "every community" will listen to them or advertise with them. Not to mention that there won't be any real erosion of conservative talk shows from people "seeing the light" and switching to liberal talk. That seems to be the hope..that if they get on the air and bash Bush 24/7 that those darned Republiocans will get the message. I wouldn't hold my breath.<P ID="signature">______________
Greetings from Ohio-where the governor wants everyone to know he's sorry.</P>

 

[JohnnyMorganWXJX]

> Sounds to me like a lot of non-traditional revenue schemes
> throughout radio. I'm thinking of "premium" memberships at
> the websites of various conservative radio talk hosts.

That's a false analogy. Conservative talk show hosts' websites are entirely separate media from broadcast radio. And they never advertise the fee on-air.

No conservative talk show host has ever said, on-air, "if you don't send money, we won't be here".

Air America IS advertising--begging--for money on air. On a commercial station, no less. I wonder what the local affiliates have to say about that?

> So nice try at singling out Air America for some bashing.

THEY'RE THE ONLY ONES DOING IT! Of course they'll be singled out.

> Now, get back to the Sean Hannity show--if you hurry, you
> can still hear virutally all of today's show.

Never listened to him--but I'm sure he's glad you do.

 

[dampier]

> But now they are sending out emails begging for money...

Part of this revenue is likely going to go to station development. There have been rumors of AAR doing launch bonuses a-la Democracy Radio. Outright station purchases are also a possibility. I could see money going to buy a NYC station outright if the dollars are high enough.

None of this is that unusual considering many other shows have a club and O'Reilly has his own paid membership which apparently gives you the ability to actually write the guy and read more of his stuff.

 

[dampier]

> That's a false analogy. Conservative talk show hosts'
> websites are entirely separate media from broadcast radio.
> And they never advertise the fee on-air.

First, there is no fee. Second, O'Reilly's Factor gear is pitched through his show all the time. Who cares what website is hosted where. When you hear O'Reilly sell his own memberships on his show, more people see that than worry about what's on a website.

> No conservative talk show host has ever said, on-air, "if
> you don't send money, we won't be here".

AAR isn't saying that either.

> Air America IS advertising--begging--for money on air. On a
> commercial station, no less. I wonder what the local
> affiliates have to say about that?

Nothing.

 

[JohnnyMorganWXJX]

> > But now they are sending out emails begging for money...
>
> Part of this revenue is likely going to go to station
> development. There have been rumors of AAR doing launch
> bonuses a-la Democracy Radio. Outright station purchases
> are also a possibility. I could see money going to buy a
> NYC station outright if the dollars are high enough.
>
> None of this is that unusual considering many other shows
> have a club and O'Reilly has his own paid membership which
> apparently gives you the ability to actually write the guy
> and read more of his stuff.
>

But as I told Jim, below, in those cases the money doesn't go to the operation of the station or its management. It goes to the hosts themselves, or whatever entity operates the website.

As far as I know, this is the first major, national case of a commercial radio operator actively petitioning its listeners, on air, for money to either keep the station afloat or to fund the company and its business ventures itself.

 

[jk3]

Here is the main thing, reread the first line, they are sending this e-mail out to people that have registered (as listeners) at their site -"Dear Air America Radio Listener"-. It's not like they are out on the street asking random people to contribute. I don't see the big deal. If listeners believe in the network, and think it's worth contributing (and receiving advertising items in return) to help it succeed, what is the big deal?



> Dear Air America Radio Listener,

...

 

[ajhenderson]

> Sounds to me like a lot of non-traditional revenue schemes
> throughout radio. I'm thinking of "premium" memberships at
> the websites of various conservative radio talk hosts.
>
> So nice try at singling out Air America for some bashing.

You're right in that some hosts, like O'Reilly and Hannity, offer worthless content, like "priority email". TRN hosts like Jerry Doyle offer a sneak peak at future merchandise... like anyone wants to pay $7/mo for crap access to Jerry Doyle. But the Premiere hosts let you watch the show with their webcam. For many, not worth the cash, but no one put a gun to your head, and it is a decent service.

Let it be said, however, that conservatives have actually been creative with how to make money. A premium website is nothing different than an advertiser pitching Geico, ABC, or the See Clearly Method. What AAR is doing is uncreative and simply a hand out.

 

[talkjim]

Only in your biased judgement. Many people across this land love the public radio premiums, and the same could well be true of AAR listeners, especially since the two media share heavily.

What AAR is doing is uncreative and simply a hand out.

 

[ajhenderson]

> Only in your biased judgement. Many people across this land
> love the public radio premiums, and the same could well be
> true of AAR listeners, especially since the two media share
> heavily.

Since when am I biased. I have advocated on these boards flipping stations to libtalk and am very critical of much of the right-wing talk industry. Please get your facts straight; you can't tag me with a label just because I disagree with your unresearched opinion. As to public TV/radio, I completely agree. But selling advertising is not an option for them. I've also lambasted "Christian" stations that double-dip by selling spots and begging for handouts, but you wouldn't acknowledge that because doing so would force you to admit that my position is unbiased and based on an opinion that commercial radio shouldn't beg for donations from the public. If you must, hit up rich execs sympathetic to your cause privately. Admit it, when stations like KTNF/Minneapolis couldn't sell ads because of weak management, and they turned to donations, radio folk sneered.

> What AAR is doing is uncreative and simply a hand out.

I think you misstyped in my favor.

 

[talkjim]

> > Only in your biased judgement. Many people across this
> land
> > love the public radio premiums, and the same could well be
>
> > true of AAR listeners, especially since the two media
> share
> > heavily.

I see bias in your point of view because you hold Air America (and Christian stations for that matter) to a different standard. Media at all levels and sectors-commercial and public-are devising ways to generate new revenue. You can buy CNN and Fox "gear" at their websites. Air America is just the latest to come to the party. To my way of thinking, there is more intrinsic value in an Air America T-shirt, than any content available to "premium" members of Bill O'Reilly's website.

It's interesting that you bring up KTNF in the Twin Cities. There is some significant evidence that this station is being mismanaged, but not because it is pretty closely following the public radio "membership" concept. It has every reason and legal right to do that--especially given the fact that it is a
thousand watt pea-shooter up against two well-established 50 thousand watters, with a full-power Clear Channel FM talker on the way.

The problem at KTNF appears to involve hosts being censored, and the owner, a former congressional candidate, apparently trying to run the station as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party. Not a strategic way to run a railroad, or a radio station.
>
> Since when am I biased. I have advocated on these boards
> flipping stations to libtalk and am very critical of much of
> the right-wing talk industry. Please get your facts
> straight; you can't tag me with a label just because I
> disagree with your unresearched opinion. As to public
> TV/radio, I completely agree. But selling advertising is not
> an option for them. I've also lambasted "Christian" stations
> that double-dip by selling spots and begging for handouts,
> but you wouldn't acknowledge that because doing so would
> force you to admit that my position is unbiased and based on
> an opinion that commercial radio shouldn't beg for donations
> from the public. If you must, hit up rich execs sympathetic
> to your cause privately. Admit it, when stations like
> KTNF/Minneapolis couldn't sell ads because of weak
> management, and they turned to donations, radio folk
> sneered.
>
> > What AAR is doing is uncreative and simply a hand out.
>
> I think you misstyped in my favor.
>
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by talkjim on 09/22/05 06:19 AM.</FONT></P>

 

[ajhenderson]

> I see bias in your point of view because you hold Air
> America (and Christian stations for that matter) to a
> different standard. Media at all levels and
> sectors-commercial and public-are devising ways to generate
> new revenue. You can buy CNN and Fox "gear" at their
> websites. Air America is just the latest to come to the
> party. To my way of thinking, there is more intrinsic value
> in an Air America T-shirt, than any content available to
> "premium" members of Bill O'Reilly's website.

I do not hold them to a different standard. As to revenue, why doesn't Air America just sell the bumper stickers like Fox sells shirts? Fact is, Fox's crap is a rip-off as it is... imagine AAR selling THREE BUMPERSTICKERS for $50!! Face it, the motivation to send in $50 is to help AAR, not to get three ugly stickers. At least with Fox, you know you're wasting your money on a worthless product rather than contributing to something beyond your control.

 

[mwebster]

All through this thread you have accuessed me and others of "bias."
Your definition of "bias" is anyone who holds a point of view other than your own. You, of course, are thoughtful, objective and always right.
You know nothing about me. You want to refute what I say, do so.
But if you are going to say I listen to Sean Hannity, smile (paraphrasing Gary Cooper).
>
> I see bias in your point of view

 

[954]

> Air America Radio started with rich backers, who probably
> got equity in the company. If money starts coming in, those
> people may actually get dividends and the suits will get
> bonuses. Not that there's anything wrong with that. They
> are a for-profit company.

Why don't they just merge with NPR, which has
unlimited resources at the public trough?

73s from 954<P ID="signature">______________
September 2005 - South Florida Radio News</P>

 

[dampier]

> But as I told Jim, below, in those cases the money doesn't
> go to the operation of the station or its management. It
> goes to the hosts themselves, or whatever entity operates
> the website.

It would be wrong to assume that FNC does not realize a portion of fees paid to O'Reilly for his premium membership. There's no reason FNC would let him do it with no return to themselves.

> As far as I know, this is the first major, national case of
> a commercial radio operator actively petitioning its
> listeners, on air, for money to either keep the station
> afloat or to fund the company and its business ventures
> itself.

It's not to keep the company or stations afloat. I'm sure it is warchest building to expand the network. There's no difference between asking listeners for individual contributions and having another network seek venture capital funding from rich fatcats or stock ownership. It's really not an important issue, except in the minds of those who want to claim it's some grand evidence of AAR "failing."

 

[raccoonradio]

Fans of AAR probably are enraged at posts like this. I only have to
laugh. Yes, it would take awhile for something like AAR to set in,
just as how Rush (L.) wasn't built in a day...but I can't picture
Rush having to resort to a pledge drive. Instead he gradually built
up an audience and now can make even more money with stuff like his
newsletter. It's capitalism.

> But now they are sending out emails begging for money...

> When we launched the Air America Radio network one year ago,
> the country was being talked to death by conservative
> zealots like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and
> others.

While liberal zealots prevailed on the networks and newspapers.

Right Wing radio saturated every media market and
> every community

Because they know how to do it right!

> And, of course, win the 2004 Presidential election.

If Kerry was so much smarter than that dummy George W. Bush,
shouldn't he have won the election, and handily? Shouldn't
America have been a sea of blue last November? They call W
a dummy, but if he's a dummy, what does that make Kerry?

 

[FightingIrish]

> Sounds to me like a lot of non-traditional revenue schemes
> throughout radio. I'm thinking of "premium" memberships at
> the websites of various conservative radio talk hosts.
>
> So nice try at singling out Air America for some bashing.
>
> Now, get back to the Sean Hannity show--if you hurry, you
> can still hear virutally all of today's show.
>


Hey, if it's good enough for Limbaugh, O'Reilly, and Hannity, then why not Air America? <P ID="signature">______________
The Liberal Talk Radio Update</P>

 

[FightingIrish]

> > Sounds to me like a lot of non-traditional revenue schemes
>
> > throughout radio. I'm thinking of "premium" memberships at
>
> > the websites of various conservative radio talk hosts.
>
> That's a false analogy. Conservative talk show hosts'
> websites are entirely separate media from broadcast radio.
> And they never advertise the fee on-air.
>
> No conservative talk show host has ever said, on-air, "if
> you don't send money, we won't be here".
>
> Air America IS advertising--begging--for money on air. On a
> commercial station, no less. I wonder what the local
> affiliates have to say about that?
>
> > So nice try at singling out Air America for some bashing.
>
> THEY'RE THE ONLY ONES DOING IT! Of course they'll be
> singled out.
>
> > Now, get back to the Sean Hannity show--if you hurry, you
> > can still hear virutally all of today's show.
>
> Never listened to him--but I'm sure he's glad you do.
>

Limbaugh, Hannity and O'Reilly pimp their premiums quite often on their shows.<P ID="signature">______________
The Liberal Talk Radio Update</P>

 

[IonRadio]

I'm no big fan of Air America, but this is America and if people will dole out $$$ to AAR because adverisers may not -- survival is the name of the game.
They've been collecting donations from very wealthy Lefties before, now I guess it's time for the "Oppressed Masses" to pay up!