Krantz blasts O'Reilly

[kaufcom]

Air America Radio President, Gary Krantz, has finally responded to charges of financial mismanagement and other issues which were made on Bill O'Reilly's TV Show on Fox. O'Reilly's attacks on AAR were largely based on the sketchy "reporting" of right wing Internet bloggers Brian Maloney and Michelle Malkin. I don't need to restate the charges, as they have been presented on this board many times.

What I don't understand is why O'Reilly keeps attacking AAR. Doesn't he realize that he is just helping to publicize a competitor? You will never see Limbaugh or Hannity doing this.

In any case here's what Krantz wrote in his letter to affiliates.


"Last week on Bill O'Reilly's cable TV show, there were allegations that were misleading regarding the state of Air America's Business. It is not often that we respond to these things, but in this case we feel we need to
set the record straight --

"Mr. O'Reilly has been bad mouthing Air America and saying it is failing for two years. It was not true before and it is not true now.

"In interpreting the story, one should consider the source: Air America's ratings went up substantially in the Fall 2005 book and its affiliate base has grown from 36 affiliations in January of 05 to over 90 affiliations across the country, including internationally on the Voice of America

"In the recent Fall 2005 Arbitron Survey for New York, Air America/WLIB Programming is outperforming Mr. O'Reilly in both the 12+ and A 25-54.
After weeks of attacks by Bill O'Reilly, prompted by scetchy reports by blooger Brian Maloney, AAR president has responded in letter

"Financially, Air America is significantly stronger than ever. As of today, our have booked and pending business for 2006 represents 83% of the entire revenue generated in 2005. We are also up to date on all of our financial obligations. Most importantly, we have a dedicated board and investors who support our business.

"There is no substance whatsoever to Mr. O'Reilly's absurd claims of 'gloom and doom.'

"Thanks for the support, and if you want the facts, you can call me directly at 212-871-8120."

Gary Krantz
President
Air America Radio
641 Sixth Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY
10011
<P ID="signature">______________
http://talkingradio.blogspot.com/</P>

 

[skyeye]

Let's All Play The Family Feud

O'Reilly and Air America are not really competitors: Two entirely different audiences. Both sides benefit from the "feud" which may be more show than substance. Both get attention and both get someone they can use to galvanize their respective faithfuls. This is show biz.

Regarding the press release:

> booked and pending business for 2006 represents 83% of the entire revenue
> generated in 2005

Translation: Actual signed sales contracts plus projections based on sales estimates. Sales reps tend to be "optimistic" when they tell the boss about the accounts they are going to land.

> We are also up to date on all of our financial obligations.

Translation: They still have accounts payable but they are not behind on their payments.

> "We have a dedicated board and investors who support our business."

Translation: Backers are still willing to give money (which is pretty much what Brian Maloney said in the first place).

> If you want the facts, you can call me directly

One person's "facts" are another's "absurd claims." Nothing in the release directly refutes Maloney and O'Reilly's allegations. Just as nothing Maloney and O'Reilly say provides hard evidence for their case.

The bottom line is whether Air America Radio currently is or can become self-sustaining as a commercial radio enterprise. Neither side seems to want to address than one specifically. One side does predict "gloom and doom" (without much substance) and the other side says we're still here. One side wants them to fail. The other wants them to succeed. It all boils down to what people want to believe. In the meantime, talk show hosts like preachers and politicians all need villians and demons to rail against. O'Reilly and Air America fill a need for each other.