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4/15/04
4/15/04

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seanbonner

seanbonner

NEWSWIRE

Los Angeles, CA

APR 14, 2004 02:32 PM

Drudge is reporting and Blogging.la is confirming that liberal talk radio station Air America has been yanked off the air in Los Angeles and Chicago.

After just two weeks on the air, Air America Radio, the fledgling liberal talk-radio network featuring Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo, appears to have encountered serious cash-flow problems.

The CHICAGO TRIBUNE is developing a story, insiders tell DRUDGE, on how the network was pulled off the air this morning in Chicago and Los Angeles, the network's second- and third-largest markets, because, the owner of both stations said, the network bounced a check and owes him more than $1 million! A charge the network strongly denies.

A Chicago source familiar with the situation said a Multicultural representative showed up at WNTD's offices Wednesday morning, kicked out Air America's lone staffer overseeing the network's feed to the station from New York, switched over to a Spanish-language feed, and changed the locks on the doors...

Air America filed a complaint Wednesday in New York state Supreme Court charging Multicultural with breaching their contract and seeking an injunction to force Multicultural to restore the Air America broadcast on both stations.

Holden_Caulfield

Holden_Caulfield

Ann Arbor, MI
April 2004

APR 14, 2004 03:42 PM

A press release straight from Air America:


Statement Regarding WNTD in Chicago and KBLA in Los Angeles

Statement of Evan Cohen, Chairman of Air America Radio:

"Air America Radio is temporarily unable to be heard on WNTD in Chicago and KBLA in Los Angeles, but Chicago and Los Angeles listeners can still hear our broadcast on the web at airamericaradio.com and on XM Satellite Radio (channel 167).

"MultiCultural Radio Broadcasting's conduct in this matter has been disgraceful. To shut off a broadcast that listeners rely on without warning and in the middle of discussions is the height of irresponsibility and a slap in the face of the media industry. In addition, it is a clear violation of their contractual obligations, and we are seeking legal remedies against them in court."



[Edited on Apr 14, 2004 3:43PM]

endlessben

endlessben

Grand Rapids, MI
November 2003

APR 14, 2004 03:46 PM

I really didn't expect Air America to take off. It's too vocal about it's political leaning.

unite105

unite105

Salt Lake City, UT
February 2004

APR 14, 2004 04:08 PM

part of the problem is that the smae guy owns both stations, so their listerner numbers were cut in half when they coudn't pay. damn FCC mad actually this has little to do with anything,but it angers me nonetheless

stockula

stockula

Anchorage, AK
May 2003

APR 14, 2004 04:10 PM

endlessben said:
I really didn't expect Air America to take off. It's too vocal about it's political leaning.



That's not the problem. Michael Savage is very vocal with his extremist schtick, and he manages to stay on the air and attract listeners.

The problem is that there aren't enough like-minded people in America to make Air America a viable, profitable enterprise. I knew they'd fail, but they're bouncing huge checks after just two weeks? Man eeek

I predict sooner or later (starting to look like sooner) they'll start asking for donations from listeners to keep AA afloat. That's not going to work, because their audience is probably insignificant (we wont know how small until the radio ratings are released in a few months). The rich Democrats funding this fantasy is AA's only hope of survival.


[Edited on Apr 14, 2004 by stockula]

luckyride

luckyride

Portland, OR
May 2003

APR 14, 2004 04:27 PM

ummm, i was actually listening to randi rhodes talking about this on her show, along with the chief financial officer...

basically, air america has 2 different contracts to the same company/guy for the right to broadcast in those 2 markets...air america sent in the checks on time, just like they should have, but after sending the checks it came to air america's attention that the company/guy who they were dealing with was double-dipping the broadcast rights and so they were essentially getting money stolen...then air america said to the company/guy that they better not cash the checks before the company/guy explained what they were doing...then, the company/guy pulls the plug on the 2 stations, basically breaching contract...then the drudge report says that air america's checks bounced and now we have a bunch a bullshit flying around...

...this is all from memory so if i misspelled something i'm sorry and if you want to pick it apart go for it.


ps...all you who are jumping on the "i knew it wouldn't work" bandwagon just don't know.

[Edited on Apr 14, 2004 by whiterabbit]

smithers_jones

smithers_jones

I'm lost
November 2003

APR 14, 2004 04:29 PM

stockula
The problem is that there aren't enough like-minded people in America to make Air America a viable, profitable enterprise. I knew they'd fail, but they're bouncing huge checks after just two weeks? Man eeek

[Edited on Apr 14, 2004 by stockula]



Wait, I thought liberals controlled the media. confused So which is it? Are liberals so powerful they control the media, or so weak they can't keep a liberal radio station on the air?

endlessben

endlessben

Grand Rapids, MI
November 2003

APR 14, 2004 04:32 PM

stockula said:

endlessben said:
I really didn't expect Air America to take off. It's too vocal about it's political leaning.



That's not the problem. Michael Savage is very vocal with his extremist schtick, and he manages to stay on the air and attract listeners.

The problem is that there aren't enough like-minded people in America to make Air America a viable, profitable enterprise. I knew they'd fail, but they're bouncing huge checks after just two weeks? Man eeek

I predict sooner or later (starting to look like sooner) they'll start asking for donations from listeners to keep AA afloat. That's not going to work, because their audience is probably insignificant (we wont know how small until the radio ratings are released in a few months). The rich Democrats funding this fantasy is AA's only hope of survival.


[Edited on Apr 14, 2004 by stockula]




I was thinking it was most people don't want to listen to a news program that is openly one sided. A similar right-wing specific radio station I doubt would work. It's the FOX news, where they're ''fair and balanced'' but give people a Right look at the world. People then can take it as fact, as the truth, and not be bothered by it might be slightly skewed.

Velvetone_Fusion

Velvetone_Fusion

Owings Mills, MD
November 2003

APR 14, 2004 05:03 PM

endlessben said:

stockula said:

endlessben said:
I really didn't expect Air America to take off. It's too vocal about it's political leaning.



That's not the problem. Michael Savage is very vocal with his extremist schtick, and he manages to stay on the air and attract listeners.

The problem is that there aren't enough like-minded people in America to make Air America a viable, profitable enterprise. I knew they'd fail, but they're bouncing huge checks after just two weeks? Man eeek

I predict sooner or later (starting to look like sooner) they'll start asking for donations from listeners to keep AA afloat. That's not going to work, because their audience is probably insignificant (we wont know how small until the radio ratings are released in a few months). The rich Democrats funding this fantasy is AA's only hope of survival.


[Edited on Apr 14, 2004 by stockula]




I was thinking it was most people don't want to listen to a news program that is openly one sided. A similar right-wing specific radio station I doubt would work. It's the FOX news, where they're ''fair and balanced'' but give people a Right look at the world. People then can take it as fact, as the truth, and not be bothered by it might be slightly skewed.



i supppose it kinda like what you're saying ben, but...
I think they're way too concerned with what the right is doing. They need to think for themselves, and not have the right think for them. If I'm listening, I'm obviously not concerned with what the right has to say, so start saying "The president said...", instead of "The right said that the president said..."

[Edited on Apr 14, 2004 5:06PM]

madryan

madryan

Madison, WI
November 2002

APR 14, 2004 05:28 PM

This is pretty funny for a couple of reasons.

Reason #1 being that Al Franken is a total jackass.

Reason #2 being that I remember hearing the guys that founded "Air America" talking ad nasuem about how they had enough money to run the station for years and years and years...

smithers_jones

smithers_jones

I'm lost
November 2003

APR 14, 2004 05:31 PM

Incidentally, although Matt Drudge is well known for his high journalistic standards, as it turns out, the claim that Air America was dropped because they bounced a check, is wrong. Air America stopped payment on their checks because the company they bought airtime from, Multicultural Broadcasting, breached the contract. Though Air America has only been on the air less than two weeks, they have been buying airtime from Multicultural Broadcasting in LA and Chicago for the past two months. Meanwhile, Multicultural Broadcasting, has also been selling the airtime allready sold to Air America to another party. When Air America got word they were being fucked, they stopped payment on their checks until the contract dispute could be resolved.

s5

s5

STAFF

San Francisco, CA

APR 14, 2004 05:38 PM

even though i consider myself as liberal as they come, the idea of "liberal" talk radio has always made my stomach turn. there's something blatantly authoritarian about pumping slogans over the airwaves. talk radio just sounds like a bunch of loudmouths stroking their egos to a numb audience, and i hope the medium dies a painful death.

Maurauder

Maurauder

I'm lost
August 2003

APR 14, 2004 05:50 PM

I love talk radio and was really looking forward to getting this station where I live. Right now I listen to Rush, Sean Hannity, Mike Savage, Bill O'Reilly...blah blah blah. Listening to talk radio in transit is my main source of news, and NPR put me to sleep. Anyway, they may not openly say it, but Fox radio and all the other stations that carry these people are obviously 'conservative radio stations'. I listen because I believe in the old saying 'know thay enemy'. It really helps my perspective (and debating skillz) to know where the other side is coming from. But I'm getting really sick of the flat out lies and the peolpe who call in proffessing devotion that believe them.

Anyway, the whole point of this friggin' nove is that I would have listened.

And to you people who are saying 'I told you so', dont take an internet rumor at face value for christ sake. Take responsibility for your beliefs and do a little research, and then say 'I told you so.' wink

lessthan4

lessthan4

I'm lost
April 2004

APR 14, 2004 06:20 PM

I hope the little research doesn't involve Sean Hannity. blackeyed

jake_lex

jake_lex

Lexington, KY
February 2003

APR 14, 2004 06:50 PM

Yeah, it's funny how quickly the wingnuts embrace a story that proves to be completely wrong.

Like Kerry's affair with an "intern" who'd never actually worked for him.

tongue

Pip

Pip

Framingham, MA
OLD SKOOL

APR 14, 2004 07:30 PM

There is an audience. People want to hear the other side, and yes talk radio sucks ass but man we need something from the left or america is fucked.

luckyride

luckyride

Portland, OR
May 2003

APR 15, 2004 12:51 PM

Here ya go, the side of the story from air america radio:

super duper official story

plasticfangs

plasticfangs

Portland, OR
OLD SKOOL

APR 15, 2004 01:22 PM

I would love to know why someone would call Al Franken a jackass, for any reason OTHER than he's extremely liberal...

RubberSoul

RubberSoul

Los Angeles, CA
February 2003

APR 15, 2004 01:23 PM

HoldenCauldfield said:
To shut off a broadcast that listeners rely on without warning and in the middle of discussions is the height of irresponsibility and a slap in the face of the media industry.



I agree. How will I be able to function without access to Al Franken on the radio?

Max16Characters

Max16Characters

Korea, Republic Of
March 2003

APR 15, 2004 01:51 PM

whiterabbit said:
Here ya go, the side of the story from air america radio:

super duper official story



Sounds like Franken wrote that one. Funny though.

rottenart

rottenart

Norman, OK
February 2004

APR 15, 2004 01:53 PM

yeah, al franken may be a little long-winded but i don't know which is worse: a guy who tells the truth and backs it up with research and facts or a drugged up blowhard who spouts lies as fact and won't debate his views...

oh wait, i DO know which is worse...