Air America Radio closing, filing for bankruptcy

[DEDixon 39]

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Air America Radio, a progressive radio network that once aired commentary from Al Franken and Rachel Maddow, said Thursday it is shutting down immediately.

The company founded in April 2004 said it ceased airing new programs Thursday afternoon and will soon file to be liquidated under Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It began broadcasting reruns of programs and would end those as well Monday night.

Air America said 10 consecutive quarters of declining ad revenue and the difficulty of making money on the Internet contributed to its financial woes.

"The very difficult economic environment has had a significant impact on Air America's business. This past year has seen a `perfect storm' in the media industry generally," the company said in a statement on its Web site.

The network had some 100 radio outlets nationwide.

Franken, a Democrat, hosted his own show from 2004 to 2007 before going on to become a U.S. senator from Minnesota last year after a close election. Maddow went on to host her own TV show on MSNBC.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Where's the enthusiasm and support for liberal talk radio?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Perhaps what can be gleaned from this is that the target audience for that particular medium exists in larger numbers on the right than it does on the left.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

They should have been a Rush Limbaugh affiliate, then they would make money

[Dan J 277]

If your going to reach a liberal audience, the internet, not radio is the way to do it. Radio works for conservatives as they tend to be an older and more likely to use radio as a medium of choice.

This is not really surprising.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

IMO talk radio and militant talk radio presenters are only ever going to appeal to a certain type of person.

[rsn 135]

If your going to reach a liberal audience, the internet, not radio is the way to do it.

Almost all terrestrial radio programs can be heard in real-time on the internet anyway.

[rsn 135]

They should have been a Rush Limbaugh affiliate, then they would make money

Since Air America is a network and not a single personality, and since Rush is a personality and not a traditional network, I don't think it could work that way. However, there is something to be said for joining a popular network to aid in boosting your own ratings. Look at Alan Colmes, the lone lefty on Fox News Radio. Would he be as successful on Air America? Probably not since many of his callers on conservatives (something I bet Air America is lacking). The guy is talented, but being on a hugely popular network like Fox certainly helps.

[Pooky 3,843]

Perhaps what can be gleaned from this is that the target audience for that particular medium exists in larger numbers on the right than it does on the left.

Well, duh.

Hello, Captain Obvious.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well, duh.

Hello, Captain Obvious.

There was an implication in that post that went right over your head, but that's OK.

Carry on

[DEDixon 39]

lol... so the liberals on vj are a lot smarter than the ones that omg thought this station had a chance.... not surprising, i'm sure the liberals here on vj thought ####### right from the very beginning... amazingly smart!!!!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Talk radio appeals to militant angry people who enjoy having other militant angry people massaging their egos.

There certainly are people like that on "the left" and folks whose idea of discussion involves parroting soundbites, but sad to say the phenomenon is entrenched on the right. At least IMO.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Talk radio appeals to militant angry people who enjoy having other militant angry people massaging their egos.

There certainly are people like that on "the left" and folks whose idea of discussion involves parroting soundbites, but sad to say the phenomenon is entrenched on the right. At least IMO.

If you ever held a job that required you to make a a profit, ie..... business owner.....Then you would understand that out in the real world the left can turn on almost any media source and receive the message they desire to hear. Most of the media is very left leaning. The major news networks,Government owned PBS.About 90 % of the major newspapers. Along with the vast amount of editorial space that the newspapers provide. They all have that liberal slant. There is so many sources they can recieve their indroctrination from that(liberal) talk radio cannot compete against what is elsewere. The only place the right had to turn to is talk radio stations. Almost all of the great voices (rush,beck,savage,hannity,lonsberry)started out in a very small market and grew. In most cases they have been attacked by the left trying to silence their opinions. (reed and pelosi) come to mind. Just get a real job where you have to make a profit as a business owner and this WILL become very clear VERY soon. This is why liberal talk radio has failed. TOO MUCH COMPETITION．

[_Simpson_ 250]

Talk radio appeals to militant angry people who enjoy having other militant angry people massaging their egos.

There certainly are people like that on "the left" and folks whose idea of discussion involves parroting soundbites, but sad to say the phenomenon is entrenched on the right. At least IMO.

and what makes you believe theories, have you even ever listened to air america, or right wing radio? Sound bites and a minute here and there dont count.

[NickD 203]

Wasn't too long ago we only had one or two FM stations in Central Wisconsin, today a station on just about every odd channel. Having problems using one of those stereo car FM transmitters to listen to my MP3 player because of interference. Thinking about pulling the radio and putting a jack in it. Not easy either since the radio is now part of the alarm system and if I disturb the ID codes, will cost me bucks.

So why even fool with an MP3 player with so many FM choices? To me, it's all #######, not surprised with so many of them, some will go out of business. And what makes these people think since we live out in the country, we like country music? If Air America was on one of the stations, didn't even know about it, but the right view is just as bad as the left and really don't need to be brainwashed.