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Democracy Radio: Something coming?

M

mwebster

Guest
Since the announcement about Tom Athans jumping to Air America Radio, Democracy Radio's website has been (and is at this posting is) down for "routine maintenance." Before it went down, the website promised news of an expansion by the end of the year. With AAR getting into syndication and taking away their honcho, maybe DR is being absored or throwing in the towel.

Is AAR on its way to becoming the Microsoft of progressive talk?
If so, what they've got on the air now is PT 1.x.
This move to syndication may be PT 2.x.
And like Microsoft, they may finally get it right on version 3.x.
 
> Since the announcement about Tom Athans jumping to Air
> America Radio, Democracy Radio's website has been (and is at
> this posting is) down for "routine maintenance." Before it
> went down, the website promised news of an expansion by the
> end of the year. With AAR getting into syndication and
> taking away their honcho, maybe DR is being absored or
> throwing in the towel.

Here is a post that I made on Oct 10, regarding the status of Democracy Radio and Tom Athans.


Subject: Re: What's happening with Democracy Radio? [re: bierkenstock] [ Edit ] [ Reply ]
Posted by: barooos
Posts: 167
Status: Online
Posted on: 10/12/05 03:51 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Democracy Radio is advocacy group for the Democratic Party. Its goal was to generate interest in liberal talk (i.e. pro Democratic Party talk) on radio. Once AAR and Jones Radio picked up on lib talk there was no need for Democracy Radio. Democracy Radio's president is Tom Athans. Tom is Democratic politcal operative who is married to Debbie Stabenow, Democratic Senator from Michigan.
If this organization had a more visable role in lib talk there would be a lot of suspicion about their motives.


<P ID="signature">______________
http://talkingradio.blogspot.com/</P>
 
Democracy Radio: Out of Business?

The website is still down.
The "major expansion" promised on the website has not materialized.
They have not launched a show since Nancy Skinner in Detroit more than a year ago.
Interesting, DR's only local show (although more were promised at one time) is in the same state Athan's wife represents in the US Senate.
Bill Press is on the DR board. When he went into syndication this summer, Democracy Radio did not participate.
DR CEO Tom Athans now heads AAR's "syndication division."
Was anybody else working at DR? Jones Radio handled distribution and sales. Originating stations handled production. Did DR do anything besides fund raising? Did the money dry up?
Or were they as baroos suggested, too close to the Democratic Party and the dems backed off?
Has DR sold off Stephanie Miller (as they sold Ed Schultz earlier to P1 - maybe a going out of business sale)?
Miller's website lists WYD Media Management, along with a link to DR's (currently offline) website.
WYD's website says they "develop" new programming. They also developed the Libby and Hill show (a conservative talk program targeting younger demos). Both Stephanie Miller and Libby and Hill are currently distributed and sold by Jones Radio; as is Ed Schultz. Jones reportedly also provides satellite distribution and does national sales for AAR. The CEO of WYD is a former Jones Radio exec and board member of DR.
So, it sounds like Athans had political and fund-raising connections (he might be called DR's Evan Cohen). WYD and Jones did all the work. At least Athans and his backers had the good sense to get radio people involved rather than adopting the do-it-yourself approach like AAR's founders.
And now, it looks like AAR may almost have a monopoly on progressive talk programming. Not good news for the future of the format.
 
Re: Democracy Radio: Out of Business?

Right now it's a duopoly. AAR is the biggest provider. They provide just over 700 hours per week of original programming (i.e. excluding replays). Jones/WYD disctributers of Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller accounty for about 250 hours on 100 stations, and local liberal affiliates account for just under 100 hours on about 30 stations.

> The website is still down.
> The "major expansion" promised on the website has not
> materialized.
> They have not launched a show since Nancy Skinner in Detroit
> more than a year ago.
> Interesting, DR's only local show (although more were
> promised at one time) is in the same state Athan's wife
> represents in the US Senate.
> Bill Press is on the DR board. When he went into
> syndication this summer, Democracy Radio did not
> participate.
> DR CEO Tom Athans now heads AAR's "syndication division."
> Was anybody else working at DR? Jones Radio handled
> distribution and sales. Originating stations handled
> production. Did DR do anything besides fund raising? Did
> the money dry up?
> Or were they as baroos suggested, too close to the
> Democratic Party and the dems backed off?
> Has DR sold off Stephanie Miller (as they sold Ed Schultz
> earlier to P1 - maybe a going out of business sale)?
> Miller's website lists WYD Media Management, along with a
> link to DR's (currently offline) website.
> WYD's website says they "develop" new programming. They
> also developed the Libby and Hill show (a conservative talk
> program targeting younger demos). Both Stephanie Miller and
> Libby and Hill are currently distributed and sold by Jones
> Radio; as is Ed Schultz. Jones reportedly also provides
> satellite distribution and does national sales for AAR. The
> CEO of WYD is a former Jones Radio exec and board member of
> DR.
> So, it sounds like Athans had political and fund-raising
> connections (he might be called DR's Evan Cohen). WYD and
> Jones did all the work. At least Athans and his backers had
> the good sense to get radio people involved rather than
> adopting the do-it-yourself approach like AAR's founders.
> And now, it looks like AAR may almost have a monopoly on
> progressive talk programming. Not good news for the future
> of the format.
>
<P ID="signature">______________
http://talkingradio.blogspot.com/</P>
 
Re: Democracy Radio: Out of Business?

The more I look into this, the more it appears Democracy Radio did little beyond providing money to get these shows into syndication and pay stations for clearances.

WYD apparently has no connection with Ed Schultz (which is now produced by P1).

I'm not sure how you arrived at your numbers but if you multiply number of hours AAR feeds original programming (main network plus Hartmann syndication) times the number of stations which carry them, you'd push 5,000 hours or maybe more (compared to 250 maybe less for Schultz and Miller). The only non-AAR program getting widespread distribution is Schultz. Miller is at best moderately successful in getting clearances (when AAR signed Springer it took the wind out of her sails).

With all due respect, I don't think duopoly is an accurate description (an oligopoly limited to two sellers). The situation is more comparable to Internet browsers and AAR is Internet Explorer. You don't have two MAJOR players, only one. And the game is not limited to AAR and Jones. Progressive talk stations also take Bill Press (Jones), Doug Basham, Phil Hendrie (Premiere), Lionel (WOR), Imus (WW1), and Doug Stephan (Lifestyle), plus local hosts. Some of these are not actually progressive talk hosts but they do provide programs to progressive talk stations and are mostly consistently with the format.

> Right now it's a duopoly. AAR is the biggest provider.
> They provide just over 700 hours per week of original
> programming (i.e. excluding replays). Jones/WYD
> disctributers of Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller accounty
> for about 250 hours on 100 stations, and local liberal
> affiliates account for just under 100 hours on about 30
> stations.
>
 
Re: Democracy Radio: Out of Business?

> The more I look into this, the more it appears Democracy
> Radio did little beyond providing money to get these shows
> into syndication and pay stations for clearances.
>
> WYD apparently has no connection with Ed Schultz (which is
> now produced by P1).

And it never has. WYD's sole product was Stephanie Miller, until they started with Liddy and Hill.

Steph talks about Ed Schultz on occasion as a related show, but that seems to be under the Jones banner...now that Ed's no longer "owned" by DR.

I'm kind of with you on this...I'm not sure what role DR plays at all. I just don't know what ownership stake they still have in Ms. Miller's show.

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
 
Update on Democracy Radio

Democracy Radio is no longer. More at <a target="_blank" href=http://www.democracyradio.org/>http://www.democracyradio.org</a>.

> Since the announcement about Tom Athans jumping to Air
> America Radio, Democracy Radio's website has been (and is at
> this posting is) down for "routine maintenance." Before it
> went down, the website promised news of an expansion by the
> end of the year. With AAR getting into syndication and
> taking away their honcho, maybe DR is being absored or
> throwing in the towel.
>
> Is AAR on its way to becoming the Microsoft of progressive
> talk?
> If so, what they've got on the air now is PT 1.x.
> This move to syndication may be PT 2.x.
> And like Microsoft, they may finally get it right on version
> 3.x.
 
Re: Update on Democracy Radio

> Democracy Radio is no longer. More at
> http://www.democracyradio.org.

It appears that CEO Tom Athans was the pin holding DR together.

Of course, unless he somehow brings them over, Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller are still competitors to AAR programming (Randi Rhodes and Jerry Springer, respectively). Though, of course, AAR's syndication arm, which Athans left DR to join, offers Thom Hartmann in the same time slot as Al Franken.

My guess - Schultz and Miller don't budge. Schultz's show just got bought by Randy Michaels and company, and both hosts syndicate via Jones Radio. WYD is expanding with its production of conservative hosts Liddy and Hill, so it's probably not going anywhere...and if it did, maybe Randy/P1 would pick up their product ownership.

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
 
Re: Update on Democracy Radio

> > Democracy Radio is no longer. More at
> > http://www.democracyradio.org.
>
> It appears that CEO Tom Athans was the pin holding DR
> together.
>
> Of course, unless he somehow brings them over, Ed Schultz
> and Stephanie Miller are still competitors to AAR
> programming (Randi Rhodes and Jerry Springer, respectively).
> Though, of course, AAR's syndication arm, which Athans left
> DR to join, offers Thom Hartmann in the same time slot as Al
> Franken.
>
> My guess - Schultz and Miller don't budge. Schultz's show
> just got bought by Randy Michaels and company, and both
> hosts syndicate via Jones Radio. WYD is expanding with its
> production of conservative hosts Liddy and Hill, so it's
> probably not going anywhere...and if it did, maybe Randy/P1
> would pick up their product ownership.
>
> -OA
>

Democracy Radio was not a syndicator, per se. They were more of an agent or middle-man for bringing up progressive talk talent. Schultz was the first show they developed, followed by Miller, then local Detroit host Nancy Skinner. They had no problem promoting AAR or other hosts across the country.

When Schultz signed with Randy Michaels, Democracy Radio was very supportive. No sour grapes. Their intent was to act as a farm system in developing liberal talent.

Incidentally, AAR and Jones are tied together pretty tightly. Jones handles advertising sales for AAR, so AAR, Schultz and Miller are all sold by the same sales reps.
<P ID="signature">______________
The Liberal Talk Radio Update</P>
 
Re: Democracy Radio: Out of Business?

Any move in libtalk is Drudged around in a flour batter of negativity from you.

> The website is still down.

No, there is a message explaining the essential merging of talent with AAR.

> The "major expansion" promised on the website has not
> materialized.

Who cares. The guy joined AAR for syndicating shows there. Now the major expansion might take place over there.

> They have not launched a show since Nancy Skinner in Detroit
> more than a year ago.

So?

> Interesting, DR's only local show (although more were
> promised at one time) is in the same state Athan's wife
> represents in the US Senate.

Is this supposed to be a conspiracy?

> Bill Press is on the DR board. When he went into
> syndication this summer, Democracy Radio did not
> participate.

So?

> Or were they as baroos suggested, too close to the
> Democratic Party and the dems backed off?

Yeah, the Democrats went running away from Democracy Radio at a time when the other party is doing the running. How about an internal business decision to merge interests into AAR as a syndication platform, not some secret society plot.

> So, it sounds like Athans had political and fund-raising
> connections (he might be called DR's Evan Cohen). WYD and
> Jones did all the work. At least Athans and his backers had
> the good sense to get radio people involved rather than
> adopting the do-it-yourself approach like AAR's founders.
> And now, it looks like AAR may almost have a monopoly on
> progressive talk programming. Not good news for the future
> of the format.

This is a story only to the extent DR has merged with AAR. That's the story. All this intrigue is total speculation tinged with hints of conspiracy.

There is no mandated monopoly on libtalk program development. Lionel is handled by WOR Radio, and if you are charitable enough to call Alan Colmes' show real libtalk, he's handled by Fox. I have no doubt there will be future libtalk program developers. The problem has been the reluctance of conservative talk stations to add libtalk hosts to the lineup, with the exception of Alan Colmes who is sold to conservative stations and listeners complete with "crazy Alan Colmes - call him and give him a piece of your mind" bumpers. Therefore, talent is being cultivated to air on libtalk format stations, and AAR is the best place to do that.

As the format matures, changes continue. It looks like Morning Sedition will be the next show out the door, no doubt making room for Stephanie Miller. AAR will eventually also roll out an overnight show and more weekend programs as well. There's lots of room to grow.
 
Re: Update on Democracy Radio

> Democracy Radio was not a syndicator, per se. They were
> more of an agent or middle-man for bringing up progressive
> talk talent. Schultz was the first show they developed,
> followed by Miller, then local Detroit host Nancy Skinner.
> They had no problem promoting AAR or other hosts across the
> country.

Maybe I got the wrong impression, but there seemed to be at least a little rivalry between DR and AAR. For one, there's the occasional dustup between now-former DR host Ed Schultz and AAR's Randi Rhodes, though most of that seems to be coming from Randi's people, mostly due to Big Eddie pushing her out of PM drive on many east coast stations.

Of course, since DR is now history, this is also now history.

> Incidentally, AAR and Jones are tied together pretty
> tightly. Jones handles advertising sales for AAR, so AAR,
> Schultz and Miller are all sold by the same sales reps.

As far as I know, Jones only sells advertising time for AAR, which handles its own affiliation deals. Jones does handle affiliation for both Schultz and Miller, even in their current deals.

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
 
DR "Merges" With AAR? Huh?

> This is a story only to the extent DR has merged with AAR.
> That's the story. All this intrigue is total speculation
> tinged with hints of conspiracy.

Just to clarify here:

Democracy Radio has not "merged with AAR". Period. DR's CEO has joined AAR. The programs DR has developed - Schultz (sold to P1) and Miller (produced by WYD), and WDTW/Detroit's Nancy Skinner - are not associated with AAR.

Without those three shows, DR is basically Athans by himself, but it's really not technically right to say "DR merged with AAR". DR has shut down, per Mr. Athans himself, who now works for AAR.

No intrigue or conspiracy here, just clarification. It very simply means that DR has outlived (in Athans' estimation) its life as a liberal talk talent incubator, and he'll focus those efforts with AAR, one presumes. It doesn't mean much in the end.

> As the format matures, changes continue. It looks like
> Morning Sedition will be the next show out the door, no
> doubt making room for Stephanie Miller.

While I think that's a great idea (being a listener to her show, the libtalk show I sample most), it doesn't work time wise - she's 6-9 AM PT/9-noon ET live, and Morning Sedition is 6-9 AM ET live. And I doubt she's moving to morning drive ET for any number of reasons. Her AAR competition isn't MS, it's Jerry Springer. (Don't get me started.)

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
 
Re: Democracy Radio: Out of Business?

> The more I look into this, the more it appears Democracy
> Radio did little beyond providing money to get these shows
> into syndication and pay stations for clearances.

Not really accurate. There were launch bonuses paid to give live clearance to Ed Schultz. That's it. There is no money for Schultz time shifters or for Miller.

> The only non-AAR program getting widespread distribution is
> Schultz. Miller is at best moderately successful in getting
> clearances (when AAR signed Springer it took the wind out of
> her sails).

Lionel is all over Clear Channel and Entercom AAR affiliates.
 
Re: DR "Merges" With AAR? Huh?

> Democracy Radio has not "merged with AAR". Period. DR's
> CEO has joined AAR. The programs DR has developed - Schultz
> (sold to P1) and Miller (produced by WYD), and
> WDTW/Detroit's Nancy Skinner - are not associated with AAR.

I have a feeling DR lived or died based on one guy. This very much sounds like one of those Washington operations with one power guy and a handful of staff and in one of those rented office space in DC operations.

DR was an incubator in the sense it directed seed money in. You don't need a huge staff to do that. That's why I consider it essentially a "merger" in that Athans seems to BE DR.

> While I think that's a great idea (being a listener to her
> show, the libtalk show I sample most), it doesn't work time
> wise - she's 6-9 AM PT/9-noon ET live, and Morning Sedition
> is 6-9 AM ET live.

It does if she is moved back east.

I agree Springer isn't about to be replaced by Miller.
 
Re: Update on Democracy Radio

> > Democracy Radio was not a syndicator, per se. They were
> > more of an agent or middle-man for bringing up progressive
>
> > talk talent. Schultz was the first show they developed,
> > followed by Miller, then local Detroit host Nancy Skinner.
>
> > They had no problem promoting AAR or other hosts across
> the
> > country.
>
> Maybe I got the wrong impression, but there seemed to be at
> least a little rivalry between DR and AAR. For one, there's
> the occasional dustup between now-former DR host Ed Schultz
> and AAR's Randi Rhodes, though most of that seems to be
> coming from Randi's people, mostly due to Big Eddie pushing
> her out of PM drive on many east coast stations.
>
> Of course, since DR is now history, this is also now
> history.
>
> > Incidentally, AAR and Jones are tied together pretty
> > tightly. Jones handles advertising sales for AAR, so AAR,
>
> > Schultz and Miller are all sold by the same sales reps.
>
> As far as I know, Jones only sells advertising time for AAR,
> which handles its own affiliation deals. Jones does handle
> affiliation for both Schultz and Miller, even in their
> current deals.
>
> -OA
>

There's always a little competition between hosts anywhere. Randi Rhodes has even ripped apart other AAR hosts. And I've heard that Schultz and Miller really don't care for each other one bit.

And while Jones handles advertising sales, AAR does it's own affiliate relations. That's the extent of the relationship. Although they do find themselves as roommates on many stations.<P ID="signature">______________
The Liberal Talk Radio Update</P>
 
Stephanie Miller vs. Ed Schultz, The Cage Match

> There's always a little competition between hosts anywhere.
> Randi Rhodes has even ripped apart other AAR hosts. And
> I've heard that Schultz and Miller really don't care for
> each other one bit.

I don't listen at all to "Big Eddie", but I do listen to Stephanie. (OK, so I'm a sucker for a funny, cute woman. :D) Her voice guy, Jim Ward, has a "Big Eddie" voice in his arsenal, and quips about being "a sportsman from the heartland!" in that voice.

But I don't sense any emnity in their joshing about him, and she even gave him kudos when she found out he displaced Bill O'Reilly on KSL/1160 in Salt Lake City. Since the two shows are no longer co-owned by DR, and are merely affiliated/sold in tandem, she doesn't really have reason to explain that "we like Ed" after kidding about him on the air.

My earlier point about DR/AAR's competition is this: They have, very much, competed to affiliate shows on libtalk stations. Many of 'em end up picking up, for example, both "Big Eddie" and Randi Rhodes, even if it means delaying Randi into either evenings (ET) or PM drive (PT). But it's a clear choice for some stations between Stephanie Miller and Jerry Springer, and Steph only has a small number of delayed placements in her affiliate list.

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
 
Re: DR "Merges" With AAR? Huh?

> DR was an incubator in the sense it directed seed money in.
> You don't need a huge staff to do that. That's why I
> consider it essentially a "merger" in that Athans seems to
> BE DR.

Oh, I agree with you that DR seemed to basically be one guy, Tom Athans. But his efforts are not coming along with him...Schultz, Miller and Detroit's Nancy Skinner aren't heading for AAR, even in its syndication division. It's kind of like the CEO of an automaker heading for a competitor, after that automaker (which was run in his image) shuts down.

> It does if she is moved back east.

Big problem with that scenario - Stephanie Miller is also by default the local morning show host at her flagship, KTLK/1150 Los Angeles. That would go away if she moved to ET and went into morning drive. And I agree, it's a big hole - which Bill Press is trying to plug up, but so far he's only managed to pick up under 6 stations. Maybe that'll change if "Sedition" is about to be history.

> I agree Springer isn't about to be replaced by Miller.

If there WAS some move by Athans to bring her over to AAR, which I don't see happening, it would be under the "AAR Syndication" banner, and she'd be marketed like Thom Hartmann is, as a schedule alternative to AAR's network programming. But I don't see her moving from WYD/Jones right now.

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
 
Re: Update on Democracy Radio

The rift between Schultz and Rhodes goes back to Democracy Radio organizational meeting in January, 2003. This was a year and three months before AAR launched. Rhodes was the key player in series of meetings with top Democratic pols. She thought she had the endorsement of DR. However, when she returned to West Palm Beach she found out that DR was going with Schultz over her. She was very upset about this and projected her anger at DR on Schultz. Even after she was picked up by AAR she hung on to this anger. I don't think she has problem with the time shifting.

> > > Democracy Radio was not a syndicator, per se. They were
>
> > > more of an agent or middle-man for bringing up
> progressive
> >
> > > talk talent. Schultz was the first show they developed,
>
> > > followed by Miller, then local Detroit host Nancy
> Skinner.
> >
> > > They had no problem promoting AAR or other hosts across
> > the
> > > country.
> >
> > Maybe I got the wrong impression, but there seemed to be
> at
> > least a little rivalry between DR and AAR. For one,
> there's
> > the occasional dustup between now-former DR host Ed
> Schultz
> > and AAR's Randi Rhodes, though most of that seems to be
> > coming from Randi's people, mostly due to Big Eddie
> pushing
> > her out of PM drive on many east coast stations.
> >
> > Of course, since DR is now history, this is also now
> > history.
> >
> > > Incidentally, AAR and Jones are tied together pretty
> > > tightly. Jones handles advertising sales for AAR, so
> AAR,
> >
> > > Schultz and Miller are all sold by the same sales reps.
> >
> > As far as I know, Jones only sells advertising time for
> AAR,
> > which handles its own affiliation deals. Jones does
> handle
> > affiliation for both Schultz and Miller, even in their
> > current deals.
> >
> > -OA
> >
>
> There's always a little competition between hosts anywhere.
> Randi Rhodes has even ripped apart other AAR hosts. And
> I've heard that Schultz and Miller really don't care for
> each other one bit.
>
> And while Jones handles advertising sales, AAR does it's own
> affiliate relations. That's the extent of the relationship.
> Although they do find themselves as roommates on many
> stations.
>
<P ID="signature">______________
http://talkingradio.blogspot.com/</P>
 
Re: Democracy Radio: Out of Business?

Stephanie is first rate talent. I was a big fan of hers when she had a show on KFI about eight years ago. I am troubled about her current show. Aside from the syndication problem she faces (i.e. how are they going to fit her in if Jerry Springer is getting the first bite of the apple.) he show is not very deep. I listen to it occassionally. She seems to devote more than half of her time to bashing Bill O'Reilly. Granted O'Reilly is tempting target. Lib talk cannot make it just attacking right wing radio. Also, I don't think her cohosts add much to show.

This being said. I still like Stephanie.

> > The more I look into this, the more it appears Democracy
> > Radio did little beyond providing money to get these shows
>
> > into syndication and pay stations for clearances.
> >
> > WYD apparently has no connection with Ed Schultz (which is
>
> > now produced by P1).
>
> And it never has. WYD's sole product was Stephanie Miller,
> until they started with Liddy and Hill.
>
> Steph talks about Ed Schultz on occasion as a related show,
> but that seems to be under the Jones banner...now that Ed's
> no longer "owned" by DR.
>
> I'm kind of with you on this...I'm not sure what role DR
> plays at all. I just don't know what ownership stake they
> still have in Ms. Miller's show.
>
> -OA
>
<P ID="signature">______________
http://talkingradio.blogspot.com/</P>
 
Democracy Radio: Out of Business!

As you continue filter the world through the distorted prism of self-righteousness, you failed to notice my post was more than 48 hours before your reply. When I posted it was down. By the time you posted, Athans had put up his "I'm outta here, turn off the lights notice" - basically confirming my supposition of two days earlier (kudos to me).

Apparently anything you don't want to hear you categorize as "negativity." A form of denial common to political true believers. Talk about strange bedfellows: The administration reacts the same way to any criticism.

As OA pointed out, there is/was no "merger." Again you have trouble getting your facts right.

What do you have against Alan Colmes? I STRONGLY SUSPECT you have never listened to his RADIO program. You keep bashing me but any specific comments you make have to do with Hannity and Colmes. Apparently, his main sin on TV is he is not nasty enough for you. I realize Colmes radio program is not available in Rochester but his website has links to a couple of audio streams:
http://www.alan.com/index2.html

BTW: If you criticize Alan Colmes radio show based on his TV show, you give up the right to complain if anybody knocks Jerry Springer based on his TV work.

As OA pointed out, there is lots of doubt Stephanie Miller would move into mornings at AAR. She has a show produced by another company and distributed by Jones Radio, and NO DOUBT she has contracts with both them. Jones Radio already syndicates a show in East Coast morning drive: Bill Press. Although since Jones also does ad sales for AAR the relationship is somewhat incestuous and Jones has little incentive aggressively to compete for station clearances with AAR. But this is what happens with political types; they don't compete can they can make deals. Apparently what AAR wants is a progressive talk cartel:
* They opened their own "syndication division" and DR suddenly goes away (and DR's rainmaker becomes AAR's rainmaker).
* They got Thom Hartmann to sign with their syndication division, although they have little incentive to sell him to stations up against their marquee show (Franken). (The only explanation here that makes sense is AAR knows Franken is leaving and they promised Hartmann his slot.)
* Jones is AAR's sales rep and the number two syndicator of progressive talk programming (Schultz, Miller, Press). Maybe these other hosts would be better with a syndicator where there is no built-in conflict of interest.

And no, there is not a lot of room to grow. Political talk is on the way out (conservative and liberal). AAR and DR were a decade late and several million short. And they were incredibly stupid to think talk shows CHANGE anybody's mind about anything.

I await your next nastygram. And, of course, I expect you will continue arrogantly to inject you jibes in between paragraphs, as if you were a teacher correcting a paper.
 
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