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What's happening with Democracy Radio?

B

bierkenstock

Guest
All this talk about Air America Radio got me wondering about Democracy Radio.

Democracy Radio got started in January, 2004 (four months before Air America Radio) when they launched Ed Schultz. They sold the program to a commercial syndicator last June. DR's stated purpose is to "find and develop" progressive talk radio talent and programs. Last year, they also launched a second national program, Stephanie Miller, and a local morning drive program in Detroit, Nancy Skinner.

But I haven't heard much about them lately or heard of them launching any new discoveries. Thom Hartmann signed a syndication deal with AAR. Bill Press went into syndication raising venture capital on his own. I have not heard of progressive talk stations launching local shows in their markets in partnership with Democracy Radio.

It seems like it's been a while with no activity. I'd hate to think they were having trouble finding suitable talent (threads on this board have talked about several progressive talk hosts different people consider ready for prime time). And I'd imagine that since they made the deal for Ed, they have some new funds to plow back into program development.

They have had an announcement on their website promising a "major expansion" in 2005 but so far nothing specific.

Anybody have an update on DR?
 
Democract 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.

> All this talk about Air America Radio got me wondering about
> Democracy Radio.
>
> Democracy Radio got started in January, 2004 (four months
> before Air America Radio) when they launched Ed Schultz.
> They sold the program to a commercial syndicator last June.
> DR's stated purpose is to "find and develop" progressive
> talk radio talent and programs. Last year, they also
> launched a second national program, Stephanie Miller, and a
> local morning drive program in Detroit, Nancy Skinner.
>
> But I haven't heard much about them lately or heard of them
> launching any new discoveries. Thom Hartmann signed a
> syndication deal with AAR. Bill Press went into syndication
> raising venture capital on his own. I have not heard of
> progressive talk stations launching local shows in their
> markets in partnership with Democracy Radio.
>
> It seems like it's been a while with no activity. I'd hate
> to think they were having trouble finding suitable talent
> (threads on this board have talked about several progressive
> talk hosts different people consider ready for prime time).
> And I'd imagine that since they made the deal for Ed, they
> have some new funds to plow back into program development.
>
>
> They have had an announcement on their website promising a
> "major expansion" in 2005 but so far nothing specific.
>
> Anybody have an update on DR?
>
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