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Air America To Remain On WLIB

S

Scribbler

From Billboard Radio Monitor
<a href=http://billboardradiomonitor.com/radiomonitor/news/format/talk/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002198387>LINK</a>

Air America To Remain On WLIB
March 16, 2006
By Ken Tucker

Despite rampant rumors to the contrary, Inner City Broadcasting’s WLIB New York will continue to be the flagship station for New York-based liberal talk network Air America Radio. The companies are in the process of finalizing a new agreement.

“We are happy to reiterate that our New York listeners will be able to continue to hear our programming,” Air America CEO Danny Goldberg said in a release.

“Inner City has always had faith in the mission of Air America,” ICBC vice chairman Skip Finley added.
 
It seems to me that Air America needed WLIB-1190 more than WLIB needed Air America.

Without a New York affiliate, Air America would probably have gone off the air. But with WLIB continuing to broadcast Air America programming, the network has at least a chance for survival.........and maybe a good chance for long-term survival.
 
> It seems to me that Air America needed WLIB-1190 more than
> WLIB needed Air America.
>
> Without a New York affiliate, Air America would probably
> have gone off the air. But with WLIB continuing to broadcast
> Air America programming, the network has at least a chance
> for survival.........and maybe a good chance for long-term
> survival.
>
it's a short term deal,
 
> > it's a short term deal,
>
> Wishful thinking.
>
> Actually...
> The companies are in the process of finalizing a new
> agreement.
>

Duh, yes! It is a short term deal and THEREFORE they are in the process of finalizing a new agreement. Where's the "wishful thinking" dude?

An earlier post said some people only see the worst case scenario. Others only see the best case scenario. Both get a little crazy if anybody suggests other than their preferrede scenario. Life usually happens in the big hump that is the bell-shaped curve.

Don't worry. Be Happy. (For the liberals)
In God We Trust. (For the conservatives)
 
> > > it's a short term deal,
> >
> > Wishful thinking.
> >
> > Actually...
> > The companies are in the process of finalizing a new
> > agreement.
> >
>
> Duh, yes! It is a short term deal and THEREFORE they are in
> the process of finalizing a new agreement. Where's the
> "wishful thinking" dude?

Ow! The ultimate insult! He called me "dude!"

My point was that the anti-AAR camp is still clinging to the hope that somehow America will be rescued from the mere existance of those unpatriotic heathens on the left who say all those nasty things about Republicans.
 
Wishful Thinking

I'm probably going to catch it from the Air America Boosters and the Air America Bashers for this, but here goes...

What would be so terrible if Air America let Randy Michaels run the station? Other people have raised this question without getting much of an answer, on this board, the news-talk board and the New York Radio Message Board.

Here's my wishful thinking: Maybe we could hear Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller in New York. Maybe we'd get a real local morning show? Maybe we'd get real local news, weather and traffic and wouldn't have to keep switching over to 1010 WINS to find out what's happening with all those brake lights up ahead. Maybe we'd even get Malloy back. Probably, we'd still get Franken and Rhodes (at the very least). What would be so wrong with all that?

Air America saves an estimated $2.5 Million in rent for WLIB. Nobody knows the actual number that does not sound out of line. Air America has never run a radio station before but Randy Michaels has and very successfully. I don't have inside info about Air America's finances but I doubt that saving $2.5 Million would not be good for the bottom line. What would be so wrong with that?

And I am old-fashioned enough to still believe radio stations should serve their communities of license. WLIB is now operated just to carry network programming. There is too much going on in the Tri-state affecting the lives of people who listen to liberal talk radio (and everybody else for that matter) and WLIB should be talking about that, too. What would be so wrong with liberal local hosts talking about local issues?

Again, none of this new. People have raised it all before. But I haven't seen the Air America Boosters say why they think it is so important to preserve the status quo at WLIB.

Thank you.

>
> My point was that those of you in the anti-AAR camp are
> still clinging to the hope that somehow America will be
> rescued from the mere existance of those unpatriotic
> heathens on the left who say all those nasty things about
> your sainted president.
>

My theological studies show only the departed in Christ can be "sainted." Be careful saying things about Bush and being departed. Remember what happened to Randi with the storm troopers at her door after she joked about that.

Good Sabbath to all.
 
Re: Wishful Thinking

>
> Here's my wishful thinking: Maybe we could hear Ed Schultz
> and Stephanie Miller in New York.

Have you actually heard Schultz? He may go over well in the Dakotas, but I don't think he's score with New York liberals. Do you really want him in pm drive in New York City? I'd much rather listen to Rhodes. As for Miller, I can't stand her, although I realize that some people like her morning zoo routine. But, as far as I know, she hasn't been getting ratings anywhere (and maybe a morning zoo routine belongs in am drive, not late mornings, where she'd have to be in NYC).
 
Re: Wishful Thinking

Thank you for responding to the subtance of my post.

In an ideal world there would be more than one liberal talk station in New York (and other cities) as is the case in Sacramento and Monterey. Radio is not just about political opinions, it's also about personal preference. Maybe it's mostly about personal preference. I like Stephanie Miller's show. You don't. A program director has to pick what will work best in a given market. And respectfully, I would not characterize Steph's show as a "Morning Zoo."

No, in New York, I would not bump Randi out of PM drive. But I would take Ed Schultz on delay in early evening over Majority Report. I would also take Ed Schultz as Exhibit A for the case that a talk show not carried in New York can still be successful. You act as IF Air America were not carried in New York, they would fold. I say, not likely. Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller are going strong without New York. So are Glenn Beck, Neal Boortz and various conservative hosts. It's a very New York-centric view. I am reminded of the classic New Yorker magazine cover of the New Yorker's view of America. Contrary to that picture, there is a whole country outside New York and IF - IF - Franken (of Minneapolis) and Rhodes (of West Palm Beach) were off the air in New York, their shows would continue to thrive. Contrary to what you may assume, I would prefer to have them remain in New York - but I don't think the world will end if they don't. If Franken gets replaced by Al Sharpton, I think I could enjoy his show, too. I've heard him from the pulpit and it was the better sermon I ever heard.

>
> Have you actually heard Schultz? He may go over well in the
> Dakotas, but I don't think he's score with New York
> liberals. Do you really want him in pm drive in New York
> City? I'd much rather listen to Rhodes. As for Miller, I
> can't stand her, although I realize that some people like
> her morning zoo routine. But, as far as I know, she hasn't
> been getting ratings anywhere (and maybe a morning zoo
> routine belongs in am drive, not late mornings, where she'd
> have to be in NYC).
>
 
Re: Wishful Thinking

> No, in New York, I would not bump Randi out of PM drive.
> But I would take Ed Schultz on delay in early evening over
> Majority Report. I would also take Ed Schultz as Exhibit A
> for the case that a talk show not carried in New York can
> still be successful. You act as IF Air America were not
> carried in New York, they would fold. I say, not likely.
> Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller are going strong without New
> York.

Where did I say anything remotely close to "if Air America were not carried in New York, they would fold?" That's the claim of the AAR bashers, not me.

Ed Schultz has been insisting that he be carried live, so it's doubtful that he would agree to be delayed until 7pm -- and I still say that his act would not go over in NYC. I much prefer Majority Report, which gets relatively good 25-54 numbers in New York -- numbers that I seriously doubt that Schultz could match. And just where is Miller "going strong?"
 
Re: Wishful Thinking

>
> What would be so terrible if Air America let Randy Michaels
> run the station? Other people have raised this question
> without getting much of an answer, on this board, the
> news-talk board and the New York Radio Message Board.

trhe fact is that Randy Michals is not going to manage a station that takes all syndicated programming. In fact, the station is LMA'ed and does not need a manager.
>
> Here's my wishful thinking: Maybe we could hear Ed Schultz
> and Stephanie Miller in New York. Maybe we'd get a real
> local morning show? Maybe we'd get real local news, weather
> and traffic and wouldn't have to keep switching over to 1010
> WINS to find out what's happening with all those brake
> lights up ahead. Maybe we'd even get Malloy back.
> Probably, we'd still get Franken and Rhodes (at the very
> least). What would be so wrong with all that?

why would Air America pay rent NOT to carry its syndicated lineup. The whole idea is to get clearance in NY.
>
> Air America saves an estimated $2.5 Million in rent for
> WLIB.

They do not want to save the rent money. They want clarance in NY, and they should be able to bill enough to cover the LMA, even if it is more like $4 to $5 million.

> Nobody knows the actual number that does not sound out
> of line. Air America has never run a radio station before
> but Randy Michaels has and very successfully.

Randy Michaels is a programmer, not a local market GM.

> I don't have
> inside info about Air America's finances but I doubt that
> saving $2.5 Million would not be good for the bottom line.
> What would be so wrong with that?

They lose clearance in NY. AA sells a percentage of the time on the affiliates that they get in exchange for the programming, and they sell all the WLIB time. If they lose clearance in NY, the national network rate goes down, so they save nothing.
>
> And I am old-fashioned enough to still believe radio
> stations should serve their communities of license. WLIB is
> now operated just to carry network programming.

And it gets more listeners than anything they did locally, so people must want good programming more than they want local programming.

> There is
> too much going on in the Tri-state affecting the lives of
> people who listen to liberal talk radio (and everybody else
> for that matter) and WLIB should be talking about that, too.
> What would be so wrong with liberal local hosts talking
> about local issues?

the main thing is that nobody wants to run a stand alone talker with 100% local shows. Even WABC takes syndicated shows, despite having a much better signal and heritage.
>
> Again, none of this new. People have raised it all before.
> But I haven't seen the Air America Boosters say why they
> think it is so important to preserve the status quo at WLIB.

Clearance and revenue.
 
Re: Wishful Thinking

David, with all due respect, I don't think you've been paying attention to the class discussion (there will be a quiz next week).

Various articles have raised the possibilitiy that Randy Michaels, possibly in concert with Alta Communications, would lease and/or purchase WLIB. If - a big if at this point - any of this happens (potentially after August) AAR would no longer have operating control of WLIB - some new group would. Another contender also mentioned is Radio One. Nothing is definite. Various scenarios are possible but all but one preclude AAR continuing to lease the station. One scenarios does include the new operators becoming an independent AAR affiliate and clearing some AAR programming.

The "what's wrong with that" question appears to have been posed to a prior poster, a fan of progressive talk. The premise being PT might thrive with an independently programmed affiliate making selective use of local, Jones and AAR programming - and this could be better for the listener. On balance, it might be better for AAR, too. The rent they save might more than make-up for any shows they no longer clear in New York (presumably the weaker entries).

And yes, if Randy Michaels were involved in operating WLIB I would expect he would do more than automate and plug into a dish.
 
Re: Wishful Thinking

> David, with all due respect, I don't think you've been
> paying attention to the class discussion (there will be a
> quiz next week).
>
> Various articles have raised the possibilitiy that Randy
> Michaels, possibly in concert with Alta Communications,
> would lease and/or purchase WLIB.

Of course, none of the reputable trades has mentioned this at all. Only a disgruntled radio wannabe has put it on a blog or website.

The owner has made no effort to sell.

Randy does not by AMs with inferior signals. Two years ago, I heard him say, "In AM, it is all about signal, signal and signal" at a seminar.

Randy does not manage stations on a day to day basis.

In othe rwords, I am discounting 100% of that unfounded rumor.

> If - a big if at this
> point - any of this happens (potentially after August) AAR
> would no longer have operating control of WLIB - some new
> group would.

AA does not have operating control. the licensee does, by law. AA rents time and resells it. It is a brokered affair, glorified today with the "LMA" name but brokered all the same.

> Another contender also mentioned is Radio One.

Radio One, I believe, ahs never entered a market with a single AM. FM, yes AM, no. Especially a limited coverage one.

> Nothing is definite. Various scenarios are possible but
> all but one preclude AAR continuing to lease the station.
> One scenarios does include the new operators becoming an
> independent AAR affiliate and clearing some AAR programming.

Now you are not speculating, you are guessing. For the moment, AA renewed its agreement.
>
>
> The "what's wrong with that" question appears to have been
> posed to a prior poster, a fan of progressive talk. The
> premise being PT might thrive with an independently
> programmed affiliate making selective use of local, Jones
> and AAR programming - and this could be better for the
> listener. On balance, it might be better for AAR, too. The
> rent they save might more than make-up for any shows they no
> longer clear in New York (presumably the weaker entries).

The profit in a natinal network is major market clearance. Losing full clearance in NY would cost far more than it saves. That idea is nonsensical to the extreme.
>
> And yes, if Randy Michaels were involved in operating WLIB I
> would expect he would do more than automate and plug into a
> dish.

Oh, he would change the way he plugged Rush and friends into all the AMs he set up for Jacor and Clear? How interesting.

Again, it is unlikely you will find Randy Michaels within 50 miles of that 1190 facility, as it can never win... and Randy likes to win decisively.
 
Miller is a morning drive show

> Where did I say anything remotely close to "if Air America
> were not carried in New York, they would fold?" That's the
> claim of the AAR bashers, not me.
>
> Ed Schultz has been insisting that he be carried live, so
> it's doubtful that he would agree to be delayed until 7pm --
> and I still say that his act would not go over in NYC. I
> much prefer Majority Report, which gets relatively good
> 25-54 numbers in New York -- numbers that I seriously doubt
> that Schultz could match. And just where is Miller "going
> strong?"

Schultz is delayed on good stations like KTRH/Houston and for a short time on KSL/SLC; I know I'm forgetting one or two more. No one is going to turn down being cleared in NYC.

As to Miller, she IS a morning show in her largest market, LA, and is promoted as a local show there.
 
Re: Miller is a morning drive show

> As to Miller, she IS a morning show in her largest market,
> LA, and is promoted as a local show there.

Of course she's a morning drive show in L.A. -- which means that she would have to be a late morning show in NYC. You did know that when it's 6 am in the Pacific Time Zone, it's 9 am in the east, didn't you? My point was that her "morning zoo" routine doesn't play very well in late mornings. And she's NOT "going strong," in L.A. or anywhere else, if the ratings mean anything.
 
Re: Wishful Thinking

>
> Of course, none of the reputable trades has mentioned this
> at all. Only a disgruntled radio wannabe has put it on a
> blog or website.
>
there are no **reputable** trades, they're all dirty...
 
Re: Wishful Thinking

> >
> > Of course, none of the reputable trades has mentioned this
>
> > at all. Only a disgruntled radio wannabe has put it on a
> > blog or website.
> >
> there are no **reputable** trades, they're all dirty...

And you have conclusive proof?

right...
>
 
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