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Is AAR losing WLIB?

K

kaufcom

Here is the latest coverage on the WLIB affiliation story. Will it remain an AAR affiliate after this month or will it evolve into a hybrid liberal talk station or a black talk station. The situation is summarized in the following two articles. The first is article is by John Mainelli in the New York Post. The second article is by Chuck Taylor in Billboard On-Line where he quotes AAR's reply to Mainelli's claim that AAR will be losing its NY Affiliate.

AIR AMERICA TUNED OUT?
By JOHN MAINELLI
AIR America is close to losing its New York flagship station - knocking Al Franken and his liberal colleagues off the air on their second anniversary.
The network has a two-year lease with WLIB (AM 1190) that is reportedly set to expire April 1 - and at least one reliable report says it is "extremely likely" the deal will not be renewed.
Losing its New York outlet would be a serious blow to the fledgling liberal radio network. "Radio Equalizer" blogger Brian Maloney - who blew the whistle on questionable loans to the lefty network last year - published the first report that WLIB was on the verge of evicting Air America some time soon.
Air America's options for a new home are not promising. All of the city's other strong-signal stations are spoken for, leaving only weak-signal "fringe" stations that do not cover the entire city and suburbs.
Air America parent Piquant LLC has reportedly been paying Inner City Broadcasting - controlled by former Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton and his son, Pierre - $2.5 million a year to air Franken and others.
An Air America spokeswoman told The Post, "It's business as usual," and declined further comment.
Air America got unwanted headlines last year when it was learned that previous management had received what investigators called an "inappropriate" $875,000 loan - since repaid - from a Bronx charity.
Calls to Inner City execs were not returned.
The leading contenders to take over the WLIB lease are former Clear Channel exec Randy Michaels, who syndicates competing lefty talker Ed Schultz, and the new Radio One black-focused talk network that includes Rev. Al Sharpton.

Air America On Defense For Second Time In Two Weeks
March 07, 2006
By Chuck Taylor

Danny Goldberg, CEO of Air America Radio, responded late Tuesday morning to “recent reports via the conservative media” in a staff memo in which he said, “Air America’s ratings in New York went up substantially in the fall 2005 book. Air America’s New York audience is large, growing and valuable. In every conceivable scenario, Air America will continue to be on in New York City.”

He went on to stress that Air America Radio is on track to be stronger still in the coming year and years: “Our audience is bigger, the total number of affiliates carrying our programming is greater, and the amount of revenue we are generating is increasing.

“It is vital, when analyzing chatter about Air America to consider the source,” Goldberg continued. “In almost all cases, the people who say bad things about our company’s business are conservative ideologues who have a particular interest in damaging Air America, for one reason and one reason only: the political opinions expressed by our on air talent. Bill O’Reilly alone has mentioned Air America on 37 separate occasions since our programming went on the air. Al Franken has offered to debate O’Reilly in any number of forums including on “The O’Reilly Factor” and O’Reilly has declined.”
<P ID="signature">______________
http://talkingradio.blogspot.com/</P>
 
> Here is the latest coverage on the WLIB affiliation story.
> Will it remain an AAR affiliate after this month or will it
> evolve into a hybrid liberal talk station or a black talk
> station. The situation is summarized in the following two
> articles. The first is article is by John Mainelli in the
> New York Post. The second article is by Chuck Taylor in
> Billboard On-Line where he quotes AAR's reply to Mainelli's
> claim that AAR will be losing its NY Affiliate.
>
> AIR AMERICA TUNED OUT?
> By JOHN MAINELLI
> AIR America is close to losing its New York flagship station
> - knocking Al Franken and his liberal colleagues off the air
> on their second anniversary.
> The network has a two-year lease with WLIB (AM 1190) that is
> reportedly set to expire April 1 - and at least one reliable
> report says it is "extremely likely" the deal will not be
> renewed.
> Losing its New York outlet would be a serious blow to the
> fledgling liberal radio network. "Radio Equalizer" blogger
> Brian Maloney - who blew the whistle on questionable loans
> to the lefty network last year - published the first report
> that WLIB was on the verge of evicting Air America some time
> soon.
> Air America's options for a new home are not promising. All
> of the city's other strong-signal stations are spoken for,
> leaving only weak-signal "fringe" stations that do not cover
> the entire city and suburbs.
> Air America parent Piquant LLC has reportedly been paying
> Inner City Broadcasting - controlled by former Manhattan
> Borough President Percy Sutton and his son, Pierre - $2.5
> million a year to air Franken and others.
> An Air America spokeswoman told The Post, "It's business as
> usual," and declined further comment.
> Air America got unwanted headlines last year when it was
> learned that previous management had received what
> investigators called an "inappropriate" $875,000 loan -
> since repaid - from a Bronx charity.
> Calls to Inner City execs were not returned.
> The leading contenders to take over the WLIB lease are
> former Clear Channel exec Randy Michaels, who syndicates
> competing lefty talker Ed Schultz, and the new Radio One
> black-focused talk network that includes Rev. Al Sharpton.
>
> Air America On Defense For Second Time In Two Weeks
> March 07, 2006
> By Chuck Taylor
>
> Danny Goldberg, CEO of Air America Radio, responded late
> Tuesday morning to “recent reports via the conservative
> media” in a staff memo in which he said, “Air America’s
> ratings in New York went up substantially in the fall 2005
> book. Air America’s New York audience is large, growing and
> valuable. In every conceivable scenario, Air America will
> continue to be on in New York City.”
>
> He went on to stress that Air America Radio is on track to
> be stronger still in the coming year and years: “Our
> audience is bigger, the total number of affiliates carrying
> our programming is greater, and the amount of revenue we are
> generating is increasing.
>
> “It is vital, when analyzing chatter about Air America to
> consider the source,” Goldberg continued. “In almost all
> cases, the people who say bad things about our company’s
> business are conservative ideologues who have a particular
> interest in damaging Air America, for one reason and one
> reason only: the political opinions expressed by our on air
> talent. Bill O’Reilly alone has mentioned Air America on 37
> separate occasions since our programming went on the air. Al
> Franken has offered to debate O’Reilly in any number of
> forums including on “The O’Reilly Factor” and O’Reilly has
> declined.”
>


Just a couple of quick thoughts.....

It seems like to me (and I could be wrong) that the people at AAR are pretty good about burning bridges. ANYONE that says anything bad about the "network" is called a consverative ideologue. Why cant someone be critical of the network without being call that name? Are we not allowed to be critical?

Also, I keep seeing the references to Bill O'Reilly. "Bill O’Reilly alone has mentioned Air America on 37 separate occasions since our programming went on the air". How many times has AAR mentioned Bill O'Reilly? Even the CEO of AAR is mentioning him. And O'Reilly is a second or third tier talker.

Last point.... Goldberg says that WLIBs rating went up significantly? Granted I dont have the money ratings, but the 12+ sure arent showing it.

Just my 2 cents worth.
 
> > Here is the latest coverage on the WLIB affiliation story.
>
> > Will it remain an AAR affiliate after this month or will
> it
> > evolve into a hybrid liberal talk station or a black talk
> > station. The situation is summarized in the following two
>
> > articles. The first is article is by John Mainelli in the
>
> > New York Post. The second article is by Chuck Taylor in
> > Billboard On-Line where he quotes AAR's reply to
> Mainelli's
> > claim that AAR will be losing its NY Affiliate.
> >
> > AIR AMERICA TUNED OUT?
> > By JOHN MAINELLI
> > AIR America is close to losing its New York flagship
> station
> > - knocking Al Franken and his liberal colleagues off the
> air
> > on their second anniversary.
> > The network has a two-year lease with WLIB (AM 1190) that
> is
> > reportedly set to expire April 1 - and at least one
> reliable
> > report says it is "extremely likely" the deal will not be
> > renewed.
> > Losing its New York outlet would be a serious blow to the
> > fledgling liberal radio network. "Radio Equalizer" blogger
>
> > Brian Maloney - who blew the whistle on questionable loans
>
> > to the lefty network last year - published the first
> report
> > that WLIB was on the verge of evicting Air America some
> time
> > soon.
> > Air America's options for a new home are not promising.
> All
> > of the city's other strong-signal stations are spoken for,
>
> > leaving only weak-signal "fringe" stations that do not
> cover
> > the entire city and suburbs.
> > Air America parent Piquant LLC has reportedly been paying
> > Inner City Broadcasting - controlled by former Manhattan
> > Borough President Percy Sutton and his son, Pierre - $2.5
> > million a year to air Franken and others.
> > An Air America spokeswoman told The Post, "It's business
> as
> > usual," and declined further comment.
> > Air America got unwanted headlines last year when it was
> > learned that previous management had received what
> > investigators called an "inappropriate" $875,000 loan -
> > since repaid - from a Bronx charity.
> > Calls to Inner City execs were not returned.
> > The leading contenders to take over the WLIB lease are
> > former Clear Channel exec Randy Michaels, who syndicates
> > competing lefty talker Ed Schultz, and the new Radio One
> > black-focused talk network that includes Rev. Al Sharpton.
>
> >
> > Air America On Defense For Second Time In Two Weeks
> > March 07, 2006
> > By Chuck Taylor
> >
> > Danny Goldberg, CEO of Air America Radio, responded late
> > Tuesday morning to “recent reports via the conservative
> > media” in a staff memo in which he said, “Air America’s
> > ratings in New York went up substantially in the fall 2005
>
> > book. Air America’s New York audience is large, growing
> and
> > valuable. In every conceivable scenario, Air America will
> > continue to be on in New York City.”
> >
> > He went on to stress that Air America Radio is on track to
>
> > be stronger still in the coming year and years: “Our
> > audience is bigger, the total number of affiliates
> carrying
> > our programming is greater, and the amount of revenue we
> are
> > generating is increasing.
> >
> > “It is vital, when analyzing chatter about Air America to
> > consider the source,” Goldberg continued. “In almost all
> > cases, the people who say bad things about our company’s
> > business are conservative ideologues who have a particular
>
> > interest in damaging Air America, for one reason and one
> > reason only: the political opinions expressed by our on
> air
> > talent. Bill O’Reilly alone has mentioned Air America on
> 37
> > separate occasions since our programming went on the air.
> Al
> > Franken has offered to debate O’Reilly in any number of
> > forums including on “The O’Reilly Factor” and O’Reilly has
>
> > declined.”
> >
>
>
> Just a couple of quick thoughts.....
>
> It seems like to me (and I could be wrong) that the people
> at AAR are pretty good about burning bridges.

Not real clear on this one...?
ANYONE that
> says anything bad about the "network" is called a
> consverative ideologue. Why cant someone be critical of the
> network without being call that name? Are we not allowed to
> be critical?

He said to consider the source and that almost everyone who is critical is an idealogue. That is true as far as I can tell. Randi Rhodes has been critical, the fans have been critical, Marc Maron, Mike Malloy. None of them have been called right wing idealogues.
>
> Also, I keep seeing the references to Bill O'Reilly. "Bill
> O’Reilly alone has mentioned Air America on 37 separate
> occasions since our programming went on the air". How many
> times has AAR mentioned Bill O'Reilly? Even the CEO of AAR
> is mentioning him. And O'Reilly is a second or third tier
> talker.

So which came first, the chicken or the egg, I suppose. Bill has had an vendetta out against AAR since the get-go. AAR gives as good as it gets going after O'Reilly like its going out of style. Can't cry tears either way over this.
>
> Last point.... Goldberg says that WLIBs rating went up
> significantly? Granted I dont have the money ratings, but
> the 12+ sure arent showing it.

You are right, 12+ ain't showing it- but Goldberg has let drop a few of the ratings that show Rhodes beating Hannity in NY, and also Majority Report as number one in talk in NY in some of these demos in their timeslots. My guess is that ratings have gone up in Money demos and Goldberg isn't worried about AAR's ratings.
>
> Just my 2 cents worth.
>
 
> It seems like to me (and I could be wrong) that the people
> at AAR are pretty good about burning bridges. ANYONE that
> says anything bad about the "network" is called a
> consverative ideologue.

Brian Maloney is certainly a "conservative ideologue" and the NY Post is in the same camp. The Post article is based on Baloney's latest anti-AAR propaganda. And why the quote marks around "network?" Do you do the same to the CBS Radio Network or the ABC Radio Networks because most of their affiliates broadcast only a few hours of network programming each day (if that)?
 
> > It seems like to me (and I could be wrong) that the people
>
> > at AAR are pretty good about burning bridges. ANYONE that
>
> > says anything bad about the "network" is called a
> > consverative ideologue.
>
> Brian Maloney is certainly a "conservative ideologue" and
> the NY Post is in the same camp. The Post article is based
> on Baloney's latest anti-AAR propaganda. And why the quote
> marks around "network?" Do you do the same to the CBS Radio
> Network or the ABC Radio Networks because most of their
> affiliates broadcast only a few hours of network programming
> each day (if that)?
>

Hmm I guess I didnt do a good job of describing what I meant. Sorry.

To me, it seems like every time there is critism of AAR it is always someone elses fault. That the programming is just fine and that it should not be critisized.

Also, I cannot imagine the CEO of another broadcasting group coming out like this. IMHO rather unprofessional.

Again just my 2 cents worth.
 
> To me, it seems like every time there is critism of AAR it
> is always someone elses fault. That the programming is just
> fine and that it should not be critisized.
>
> Also, I cannot imagine the CEO of another broadcasting group
> coming out like this. IMHO rather unprofessional.

Sounds like Goldberg just got fed up with Baloney Maloney, who has turned himself from a failed talk show host to an (almost) full-time Air America basher. Is there anybody else in this country who devotes himself almost full-time to bashing one struggling little company? I doubt it. And of course, the New York Post, Michelle Malkin, Bill O'Reilly, and the rest of the right-wing blogosphere jump on whatever Maloney feeds them like starving dogs on a piece of red meat.
 
> To me, it seems like every time there is critism of AAR it
> is always someone elses fault. That the programming is just
> fine and that it should not be critisized.

No, even big AAR fans like myself aren't thrilled with all of their programs, which is why some get replaced by Stephanie Miller, Schultz, Lionel, etc.

What we won't sit around for is speculation and rumor presented as fact used as a club, particularly by those on the outside of the industry looking in who can't manage a talk show themselves and prefer to just run blogs whining about the opposition.
 
> You are right, 12+ ain't showing it- but Goldberg has let
> drop a few of the ratings that show Rhodes beating Hannity
> in NY, and also Majority Report as number one in talk in NY
> in some of these demos in their timeslots. My guess is that
> ratings have gone up in Money demos and Goldberg isn't
> worried about AAR's ratings.

Does anyone care about the 12+ ratings? Advertisers don't seem to and as we've just seen in Montana, advertiser revenue is more important than ratings.

AAR rents time on a two year contract with WLIB. The contract is up. It seems to me if AAR wants to meet whatever price is being asked, they'll stay. If they don't, they go. That's an issue of money, not ratings, listeners, or viability. If your airtime contract is up and the station jacks the price up and you don't want to pay it, that doesn't mean the business plan is a failure or the network is a failure.
 
> > To me, it seems like every time there is critism of AAR it
>
> > is always someone elses fault. That the programming is
> just
> > fine and that it should not be critisized.
>
> No, even big AAR fans like myself aren't thrilled with all
> of their programs, which is why some get replaced by
> Stephanie Miller, Schultz, Lionel, etc.
>
> What we won't sit around for is speculation and rumor
> presented as fact used as a club, particularly by those on
> the outside of the industry looking in who can't manage a
> talk show themselves and prefer to just run blogs whining
> about the opposition.
>


Which is one of the reasons I dont read blogs.

Thank you all for a civil conversation!
 
> > You are right, 12+ ain't showing it- but Goldberg has let
> > drop a few of the ratings that show Rhodes beating Hannity
>
> > in NY, and also Majority Report as number one in talk in
> NY
> > in some of these demos in their timeslots. My guess is
> that
> > ratings have gone up in Money demos and Goldberg isn't
> > worried about AAR's ratings.
>
> Does anyone care about the 12+ ratings? Advertisers don't
> seem to and as we've just seen in Montana, advertiser
> revenue is more important than ratings.

Something stinks about the whole Montana thing. I'll leave it to the fact that FM is just too lucrative for talk in that market.
>
> AAR rents time on a two year contract with WLIB. The
> contract is up. It seems to me if AAR wants to meet
> whatever price is being asked, they'll stay. If they don't,
> they go. That's an issue of money, not ratings, listeners,
> or viability. If your airtime contract is up and the
> station jacks the price up and you don't want to pay it,
> that doesn't mean the business plan is a failure or the
> network is a failure.
>
Agreed, but I think AAR should- if it can somehow get the money- buy a great signal somewhere in the country. WQEW in NY plays radio Disney and rumor has it that ABC ain't into radio Disney the way it was. The radio Disney format is picking up zero listners 12+ and with it available on Satellite radio I don't see the reason to keep sending it off on 50kW skywaves from NY.
 
If by "ABC" you mean the radio division, that was sold off. But Disney made a point of hanging onto Radio Disney (1560 in New York) and ESPN Radio (1050 in New York), so I don't see Disney wanting to let go of their LMA with the Times anytime soon.

I also think the dumbest thing Air America could do at this point would be another LMA. That would be a triumph of ego over good business sense (not that such things don't happen). As several people have pointed out, the LMA business model has not worked for Air America, almost from the beginning - even if they could afford it. Their smart play would be to find good affiliates with potential. If they can get some shows cleared in New York, all well and good. If the Randy Michaels management team keeps the progressive talk format, they should pick up two or three AA shows. If not, concentrate on finding and nurturing good programs and good affiliates over the long haul and they will be back. Phil Donahue struck out three times in New York before his show became established. They need to start thinking about building a radio franchise and stop thinking about the next election.


> Agreed, but I think AAR should- if it can somehow get the
> money- buy a great signal somewhere in the country. WQEW in
> NY plays radio Disney and rumor has it that ABC ain't into
> radio Disney the way it was. The radio Disney format is
> picking up zero listners 12+ and with it available on
> Satellite radio I don't see the reason to keep sending it
> off on 50kW skywaves from NY.
>
 
> Agreed, but I think AAR should- if it can somehow get the
> money- buy a great signal somewhere in the country. WQEW in
> NY plays radio Disney and rumor has it that ABC ain't into
> radio Disney the way it was. The radio Disney format is
> picking up zero listners 12+ and with it available on
> Satellite radio I don't see the reason to keep sending it
> off on 50kW skywaves from NY.


A few months back, i proposed something similar Rob, i was hoping AAR would find 4 or 5 stations that were already 50kw torches or could be easily upgraded to help spread the signal across the US...a

in WQEW's place is moving up to 1560 a real benefit even at 50kw?
 
>
> What we won't sit around for is speculation and rumor
> presented as fact used as a club, particularly by those on
> the outside of the industry looking in who can't manage a
> talk show themselves and prefer to just run blogs whining
> about the opposition.
>
You sound very arrogant, Phillip..
 
Radio Disney & AAR

> Agreed, but I think AAR should- if it can somehow get the
> money- buy a great signal somewhere in the country. WQEW in
> NY plays radio Disney and rumor has it that ABC ain't into
> radio Disney the way it was. The radio Disney format is
> picking up zero listners 12+ and with it available on
> Satellite radio I don't see the reason to keep sending it
> off on 50kW skywaves from NY.

Radio Disney doesn't care if it gets ratings at all, especially considering its target audience is younger than 12. It exists as a promotional vehicle for The Walt Disney Company and its entertainment properties, nothing more. I don't think it makes any money on its own.

Besides, Disney is keeping the Radio Disney network and the affiliates it owns (same with ESPN Radio). It's selling only the stations that were pre-Disney ABC O&Os (WABC, WLS, KABC, KGO, etc.). Air America won't be appearing on WQEW, KMIK, or any other 50 kW station that Radio Disney owns or LMAs.

And how many kids under 12 have satellite radios?
 
> You sound very arrogant, Phillip..

You mean I read very arrogant. :)

I just take less time to say what I need to than bloggers who say the same unproven things over and over again.
 
I don't like Baloney very much. Most of time he just blathering without much substance. However, it appears that he was right this time. Now that all the established radio writers on to the story we shall see what transpires.

> > To me, it seems like every time there is critism of AAR it
>
> > is always someone elses fault. That the programming is
> just
> > fine and that it should not be critisized.
>
> No, even big AAR fans like myself aren't thrilled with all
> of their programs, which is why some get replaced by
> Stephanie Miller, Schultz, Lionel, etc.
>
> What we won't sit around for is speculation and rumor
> presented as fact used as a club, particularly by those on
> the outside of the industry looking in who can't manage a
> talk show themselves and prefer to just run blogs whining
> about the opposition.
>
<P ID="signature">______________
http://talkingradio.blogspot.com/</P>
 
Radio Disney's LMA with 1560 is up at the end of 2008. (I believe it was for 10 years) I wonder though if AAR offered The NY Times more money than Radio Disney is paying them now, if they could cancel the LMA with Radio Disney.
 
> Radio Disney's LMA with 1560 is up at the end of 2008. (I
> believe it was for 10 years) I wonder though if AAR offered
> The NY Times more money than Radio Disney is paying them
> now, if they could cancel the LMA with Radio Disney.
>

It's interesting that the AAR haters make so much of the fact that AAR is paying to be on WLIB, but don't seem to be bothered that Disney is paying to be on 1560 (and also paying to have the Satellite Sisters on WLIB).
 
> > Radio Disney's LMA with 1560 is up at the end of 2008. (I
> > believe it was for 10 years) I wonder though if AAR
> offered
> > The NY Times more money than Radio Disney is paying them
> > now, if they could cancel the LMA with Radio Disney.
> >
>
> It's interesting that the AAR haters make so much of the
> fact that AAR is paying to be on WLIB, but don't seem to be
> bothered that Disney is paying to be on 1560 (and also
> paying to have the Satellite Sisters on WLIB).
>


Sheeesh that is a bit of a stretch. I didnt get that was the intention of the post. I actually thought it was a good question.
 
>
> Sheeesh that is a bit of a stretch. I didnt get that was
> the intention of the post. I actually thought it was a good
> question.

It wasn't meant as a comment on the post...it was just a general observation. Although somehow I doubt that poor little Air America is going to outbid rich and powerful Disney, especially since Disney apparently has a contract that isn't running out soon.
>
 
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