Montel Williams To Air America... How Many Affiliates?

[DToTheJ]

"Montel is a multi-media star and a familiar name to millions of people across the country,” said Air America CEO Bennett Zier. "The addition of Montel to our talent lineup is an important step for the continued growth of Air America, as we look to distribute Montel's show across America."

Full story:
http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebsite20/members/ShowHeadline.aspx?FormatId=0&ContentID=47667

No affiliates have been announced, though I would have to imagine WWRL would be a lock to air it; the 9 am-12 noon slot (the time the new Williams show will air) on WWRL's schedule is currently filled with infomercials and brokered programming.

Conversely, I also wonder if some progressive-talk stations might actually drop the other liberal talk show on the air during that time, Stephanie Miller, in favor of Montel.

 

[ctkatz]

if montel is going to air from 9-12, what does that do with li-o-nel? do they drop him into thom hartmann's spot or do they drop him (pulling for this option)? i know that there may be the springer-like option of syndicating both, but with a big name such as this, and a severe lack of talent and name recognition, it makes me wonder.

unless aa puts him on the main stream, i don't see too many people dropping stephanie miller for montel williams at this point. the only way montel gets stations is if they get rid of li-o-nel.

 

[Nate Wesley]

if montel is going to air from 9-12, what does that do with li-o-nel? do they drop him into thom hartmann's spot or do they drop him (pulling for this option)? i know that there may be the springer-like option of syndicating both, but with a big name such as this, and a severe lack of talent and name recognition, it makes me wonder.

unless aa puts him on the main stream, i don't see too many people dropping stephanie miller for montel williams at this point. the only way montel gets stations is if they get rid of li-o-nel.

The R&R article says AAM will develop 'a new program' for Lionel. The front-page R-I news mentioned AAM is launching a new syndication division, so Lionel's new show could see better clearance (theoretically) than his concluding one. I thought Air America would need something of a splash hire in order to maintain what relevancy it's created for itself, and this is a pretty nice one.

Yes, they've gone this route before with Jerry Springer without lasting success (though wasn't Springer on the Radio technically a Clear Channel or Premiere Radio show?). But I think Montel Across America will be a different animal. We know Montel can go on a spririted tangent or two, we've him do so on TV--so the entetainment potential is there. I wouldn't be surprised if the show also delves into pop culture and health/fitness issues related to his 'Living Well with Montel' ventures, keeping things fresh and broadening the appeal a bit. I'm intrigued by this announcement and as a Montel fan I hope for a successful launch.

 

[willcail]

Stephanie Miller is one of two liberal talkers that are making a profit off their show. (The other one Ed Schultz) I doubt that they will replace a money maker with Montel Across America with a syndicator that went into bankruptcy twice. It might make inroads on the "Urban" radio stations that carries Radio One shows. Since Randi Rhodes no longer being syndicated some stations might aired the show in Randi's old time slot.

Since Air America Media lost majority of their affiliates when Thom moved to Dial Global, they hope people will carry Montel Across America and get their affiliates back.

 

[trojanrabbit]

Stephanie Miller is one of two liberal talkers that are making a profit off their show. (The other one Ed Schultz) I doubt that they will replace a money maker with Montel Across America with a syndicator that went into bankruptcy twice. It might make inroads on the "Urban" radio stations that carries Radio One shows. Since Randi Rhodes no longer being syndicated some stations might aired the show in Randi's old time slot.

Since Air America Media lost majority of their affiliates when Thom moved to Dial Global, they hope people will carry Montel Across America and get their affiliates back.

Well, if THAT'S the case, I guess the decision would be a no-brainer, right? :

speaking as a Stephanie Miller fan and only slightly sarcastically, given the shenanigans over at WBZ

 

[argentarius]

Speaking of le Rhodes

Speaking of le Rhodes, is there any indication about if or when she will resume her show, either on a local or syndicated basis?

 

[willcail]

The PD of KTLK 1150 AM is expressing intreast in carrying Montel. In a time delay slot of course. Can't carry him live since their profitable talker Stephaine Miller is in that timeslot.

 

[NewsVet]

I doubt that they will replace a money maker with Montel Across America with a syndicator that went into bankruptcy twice.

Huh? What are you talking about? Air America reorganized under the bankruptcy laws once, not "twice." Are you confusing Air America with Nova M?

 

[mls]

I doubt that they will replace a money maker with Montel Across America with a syndicator that went into bankruptcy twice.

Huh? What are you talking about? Air America reorganized under the bankruptcy laws once, not "twice." Are you confusing Air America with Nova M?

Air America filed for bankruptcy reorganization in 2006. Nova M (a completely different company) filed for bankruptcy liquidation this year. .

 

[willcail]

Air America went into bankruptcy twice.

 

[NewsVet]

Air America went into bankruptcy twice.

No, it didn't. You don't know what you're talking about. Do a search. It filed for bankruptcy reorganization once, in 2006. Period.

 

[willcail]

Here are the links:

http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2006/09/thinkprogress-air-america-to-declare.html

Plus AAM went into "reorganization" twice.

 

[NewsVet]

Here are the links:

http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2006/09/thinkprogress-air-america-to-declare.html

Plus AAM went into "reorganization" twice.

Huh? The links are ALL to rumors in September 2006 that Air America was going to file for Chapter 11 reorganization, which it did on October 13, 2006. That was the ONLY time it went into "bankruptcy."

Give it up. You didn't know what you were talking about when you said it declared bankruptcy "twice."