Air America Deader than Fried Chicken

[William Haskins]

It is with the greatest regret, on behalf of our Board, that we must announce that Air America Media is ceasing its live programming operations as of this afternoon, and that the Company will file soon under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code to carry out an orderly winding-down of the business.

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. National and local advertising revenues have fallen drastically, causing many media companies nationwide to fold or seek bankruptcy protection. From large to small, recent bankruptcies like Citadel Broadcasting and closures like that of the industry's long-time trade publication Radio and Records have signaled that these are very difficult and rapidly changing times.

Those companies that remain are facing audience fragmentation as a result of new media technologies, are often saddled with crushing debt, and have generally found it difficult to obtain operating or investment capital from traditional sources of funding. In this climate, our painstaking search for new investors has come close several times right up into this week, but ultimately fell short of success.

With radio industry ad revenues down for 10 consecutive quarters, and reportedly off 21% in 2009, signs of improvement have consisted of hoping things will be less bad. And though Internet/new media revenues are projected to grow, our expanding online efforts face the same monetization and profitability challenges in the short term confronting the Web operations of most media companies.

When Air America Radio launched in April, 2004 with already-known personalities like Al Franken and then-unknown future stars like Rachel Maddow, it was the only full-time progressive voice in the mainstream broadcast media world. At a critical time in our nation's history — when dissent on issues such as the Iraq war were often denounced as "un-American" — Air America and its talented team helped millions of Americans remember the importance of compelling discussion about the most pivotal events and decisions of our generation.

Through some 100 radio outlets nationwide, Air America helped build a new sense of purpose and determination among American progressives. With this revival, the progressive movement made major gains in the 2006 mid-term elections and, more recently, in the election of President Barack Obama and a strongly Democratic Congress.

Laws have changed for the better thanks to this revival.....but all the same our company cannot escape the laws of economics. So we intend a rapid, orderly closure over the next few days. All current employees will be paid through today, January 21. A severance package will be offered tomorrow to full-time current employees with more than six months of tenure.

We will strive to assist affiliates and partners in achieving a smooth transition. Starting at 6 pm EST today, we will provide our affiliates, listeners and users a selection of encore programming until 9 pm EST on Monday, January 25, at which time Air America programming will end.

We are proud that Air America's mission lives on through the words and actions of so many former radio hosts who are active today in progressive causes and media nationwide. In the years ahead, as we look back, we should all be proud of our passionate determination to assure that our nation's progressive voice would be heard loud and clear.

Through the hard work and dedication of current staff, and those who preceded you, a lasting legacy was forged which will now continue through other voices and venues.

Thank you.

http://airamerica.com/

[Shadow_Ferret]

Well, that's a surprise.

[William Haskins]

shocking, really.

[sassandgroove]

surprise, surprise, surprise...

[robeiae]

Did they just claim credit for Obama's election? Yeah, that is shocking...not!

Plus, they used the "perfect storm" metaphor. Gah. I'm SO sick of that line.

And apparently, they really don't get the "law of economics": if no one wants what you're selling, you're gonna fail.

That was always Air America's chief problem: a piss-poor product, from Rhodes to Franken to Garofalo.

[Zoombie]

...whats air ame....

*gets distracted by Rob's avatar*

[robeiae]

I'm a succubus...

[Zoombie]

I noticed!

[Shadow_Ferret]

*cough*

[alleycat]

Maybe they can merge with National Public Radio . . .

[benbradley]

Anyone want to start a pool on when the Fairness Doctrine comes back?
Did they just claim credit for Obama's election? Yeah, that is shocking...not!

Plus, they used the "perfect storm" metaphor. Gah. I'm SO sick of that line.

And apparently, they really don't get the "law of economics": if no one wants what you're selling, you're gonna fail.

That was always Air America's chief problem: a piss-poor product, from Rhodes to Franken to Garofalo.
But wasn't that one of Obama's campaign promises, the repeal of that law?

One more clean-up note, did Air America ever pay back the Boy Scouts?

[Gravity]

Did they just claim credit for Obama's election? Yeah, that is shocking...not!

Plus, they used the "perfect storm" metaphor. Gah. I'm SO sick of that line.

And apparently, they really don't get the "law of economics": if no one wants what you're selling, you're gonna fail.

That was always Air America's chief problem: a piss-poor product, from Rhodes to Franken to Garofalo.

Tru dat. Many years ago I was in radio, and saw the rate cards our sales reps carried. The ad rates we charged to the area businesses were low (small market), but every year the station managed to turn a profit. Why? We knew our audience.

And therein, I think, was Air America's problem: they knew their audience, but it wasn't big enough on a national scale to command sufficient revenue to keep the thing afloat. Every quarter when their execs saw The Book (and anyone who's been in radio knows about The Book), they knew they were getting the snot kicked out of them in all but a few markets.

Frankly, I'm surprised they lasted eight years.

[Celia Cyanide]

...whats air ame....

*gets distracted by Rob's avatar*

It's ME, ya goofball! You'd know that if you'd only added me on facebook, Zoom.

[Zoombie]

Pishaw. Facebook is for losers. Only David from the evil universe updates his facebook.

Anywho, on topic, I've never heard of Air America, and so news of its death has as much effect on me as hearing about a new game for the Wii. Not interested, never was, and seriously...Air America? Dopey name.

[sassandgroove]

Meanwhile here in B'ham a rock music station recently changed their format and have their AM news radio on the FM station becuase it generates more revenue. What is the format? Conservative talk radio....ahem...

[robeiae]

It's ME, ya goofball! You'd know that if you'd only added me on facebook, Zoom.

Yah, and I've already picked up a couple of reppies for it!

You should hire me as your publicist, Celia...or at least let me be Prez of your fan club, South Florida chapter.

[Celia Cyanide]

Anywho, on topic, I've never heard of Air America, and so news of its death has as much effect on me as hearing about a new game for the Wii. Not interested, never was, and seriously...Air America? Dopey name.

Yes. I never really wanted to hear the liberal equivalent of convervative talk radio, and it looks like not many other people did, either.

Rob, I should make my avatar a picture of you...

[robeiae]

Meanwhile here in B'ham a rock music station recently changed their format and have their AM news radio on the FM station becuase it generates more revenue. What is the format? Conservative talk radio....ahem...

Well you know, Sass, conservative talk radio is easier for a number of reasons, that have nothing to do with being right or wrong:

1) it's easier to sell ads, both because of the built-in Rush factor and because business OWNERS are more likely to buy time on shows that aren't trying to tear them down

2) The older demographic tunes in more frequently because a) they're more likely to strongly agree with some elements and b) the rhetoric is more in tune to their own

3) It does lend itself to more outrage, and people like outrage, one way or the other (that means people prefer to listen to Rush and hate him than to listen to Garofalo and agree with her)

[Magdalen]

Bummer. I Kinda liked them.

[MaryMumsy]

Showing my age: my first thought was the Viet Nam era CIA front. I rarely listen to radio, so I didn't even know they existed.

Nice pic, Celia.

MM

[maxmordon]

It's ME, ya goofball! You'd know that if you'd only added me on facebook, Zoom.

My favorite is the one with you as Harley Quinn and another girl as The Joker "blushes".

[Robert Toy]

Sorry, but the ONLY real Air America, flew PC-6 Porters in Laos.

[Jcomp]

It's ME, ya goofball! You'd know that if you'd only added me on facebook...

Done and done. And I mean done...

[Prozyan]

My favorite is the one with you as Harley Quinn and another girl as The Joker "blushes".

This bore repeating.

[Zoombie]

I dunnkow, I like succubi.

What can I say...things with wings are fun :D

[billythrilly7th]

Just great. Now I'll have to start listening to Stern during drive time again.

[Gregg]

I'll admit that I never looked for Air America, but find it sort of funny that he only place I heard it was in the middle of Montana. Traveling from Helena to Missoula and pressing the"seek" button on the radio, lo and behold, on came AA.
Seemed to me to be an odd place to find it.

I think its demise has less to do with the current economy than their message. Conservative talk radio does quite well, Not so for Liberal talk radio.
Don't libs listen to the radio?

[benbradley]

Yes. I never really wanted to hear the liberal equivalent of convervative talk radio, and it looks like not many other people did, either.

Rob, I should make my avatar a picture of you...

I'll admit that I never looked for Air America, but find it sort of funny that he only place I heard it was in the middle of Montana. Traveling from Helena to Missoula and pressing the"seek" button on the radio, lo and behold, on came AA.
Seemed to me to be an odd place to find it.

I think its demise has less to do with the current economy than their message. Conservative talk radio does quite well, Not so for Liberal talk radio.
Don't libs listen to the radio?
I think maybe only in the New York-New England area. WBAI is as left-wing as anything I've heard and has been in NYC forever, though if you believe what you hear or what you see on the website, their financial status is always precarious:
http://wbai.org

Also, Air America may have received that "wakeup call" Tuesday night from Massachusetts.

[nighttimer]

Air America was to progressive radio what a McRib sandwich is to B-B-Q ribs: a rotten imitation.

When it was carried in my neck of the woods, I found it pompous, humorless, dull, one-sided and preachy. Oh, and it had no balls. The other problem was AA was a reaction to conservative talk radio and they tried to beat them at a game they had mastered.

Another thing that bugged me about Air America was it was whiter than a hankerchief. The few Blacks and Latinos that were on the network were usually programmed in the wee hours of the morning or on the weekend. I despise the assumption by sincere, but clueless, liberals that saying nice things about Malcolm X and being able to perform the Black Power handshake makes up for an absence of people of color from your programming.

I wish I could say I'll miss Air America, but I really can't work up enough interest to care. :gone:

[Gretad08]

I'll admit that I never looked for Air America, but find it sort of funny that he only place I heard it was in the middle of Montana. Traveling from Helena to Missoula and pressing the"seek" button on the radio, lo and behold, on came AA.
Seemed to me to be an odd place to find it.

I think its demise has less to do with the current economy than their message. Conservative talk radio does quite well, Not so for Liberal talk radio.
Don't libs listen to the radio?

Yep...foxnews...Rush, Beck etc.etc.etc. :)

[robeiae]

When it was carried in my neck of the woods, I found it pompous, humorless, dull, one-sided and preachy. Oh, and it had no balls. The other problem was AA was a reaction to conservative talk radio and they tried to beat them at a game they had mastered.
An excellent and concise analysis.

[BenPanced]

I didn't listen because I never could get a radio to pick it up and even if I were able to, it wouldn't have mattered because I'm not part of a Ratings Family.

(That, and I'm allergic to vitriol, no matter what flavor.)

[Lyv]

Yep...foxnews...Rush, Beck etc.etc.etc. :)
Well, I'm a liberal and I don't listen to them. Most liberals I know don't. When one of them says something more hateful and controversial than usual, I'll listen or read for context, but that's it. Nor did I listen to Air America. I prefer more neutral sources and don't mind hearing opinions with which I might disagree.

If I were a conservative, I'd sure want to pretend that the popularity of Rush and Beck and Fox News is thanks to liberals, but it isn't. If you want to draw a conclusion from the greater success of conservative talk radio over liberal I'd wonder if one factor is that more people in one group is simply more comfortable in an echo chamber than the other. It's worth considering.

[Celia Cyanide]

Well, I'm a liberal and I don't listen to them. Most liberals I know don't.

I know some that do. I don't, but some of my friends do, because they think it's important to know what they're saying. Although, most of them prefer someone like Bill O'Reilly, who isn't quite as ridiculous as Limbaugh. But you are right, it's clear that they do have an audience of people who agree with what they say. They wouldn't be as successful without them.

[sassandgroove]

I'll admit that I never looked for Air America, but find it sort of funny that he only place I heard it was in the middle of Montana. Traveling from Helena to Missoula and pressing the"seek" button on the radio, lo and behold, on came AA.
Seemed to me to be an odd place to find it.

I think its demise has less to do with the current economy than their message. Conservative talk radio does quite well, Not so for Liberal talk radio.
Don't libs listen to the radio?
There was at least one in the Los Angeles area when I lived there. it was supposed to be unbiased, but yeah... and it was listener supported. Don't know if it is still on the air. I haven't lived in LA for 10 years. Where does the time go?

[sassandgroove]

Well, I'm a liberal and I don't listen to them. Most liberals I know don't. When one of them says something more hateful and controversial than usual, I'll listen or read for context, but that's it. Nor did I listen to Air America. I prefer more neutral sources and don't mind hearing opinions with which I might disagree.

If I were a conservative, I'd sure want to pretend that the popularity of Rush and Beck and Fox News is thanks to liberals, but it isn't. If you want to draw a conclusion from the greater success of conservative talk radio over liberal I'd wonder if one factor is that more people in one group is simply more comfortable in an echo chamber than the other. It's worth considering.What exactly does that mean?

[Lyv]

What exactly does that mean?
Other than the grammar error (eeks, that stings), I'm not sure what there is to explain. I'm not trying to be snarky; I just don't know what is unclear.

[maxmordon]

This bore repeating.

Just wanted to rectify, picture set. I checked out the picture set and... I'll be in my bunker.

[Celia Cyanide]

I want to apologize for hijacking this thread.

[sassandgroove]

Other than the grammar error (eeks, that stings), I'm not sure what there is to explain. I'm not trying to be snarky; I just don't know what is unclear.
Define Echo Chamber.


Sass- who didn't notice the grammar error until you pointed it out.

[Sheryl Nantus]

I'd say it's more of an indication of how the radio audience is either dying off or moving to other media - with internet radio providing so many choices along with television, etc. there may just not be that much of an audience left to go around.

sort of sad...

[sassandgroove]

If you ask me radio is a wasteland and the only reason I listen to the music stations is inertia, I am too lazy/tired/forgetful to bring CDs or my Ipod in the car. BUt even when I have CDs - I listen to news radio quite a bit. But still only in the car. I used to listen at work, but where I work now I don't think it'd work. Iam in a big open space in the front office.

[benbradley]

Define Echo Chamber.


Sass- who didn't notice the grammar error until you pointed it out.
I'm pretty sure I know what Lyv means, but I'll wait for it myself.

:popcorn:

[Prozyan]

A few years ago HBO had a special called "Left of the Dial" that was about the start of Air America. If anyone has seen it, they know AA was doomed from the start. That it lasted this long is a miracle.

[benbradley]

A few years ago HBO had a special called "Left of the Dial" that was about the start of Air America. If anyone has seen it, they know AA was doomed from the start. That it lasted this long is a miracle.
And to think of the irony - those liberals don't believe in miracles!

[Dommo]

I think a big part of the problem, is that most moderates like me, and liberals, like to listen to NPR. In general it seems to be a bit more balanced in their reporting, and a lot less WAARRGGARBLEish then conservative radio.

[robeiae]

I listen to NPR, Air America, and conservative talk radio.

[Gretad08]

Well, I'm a liberal and I don't listen to them. Most liberals I know don't. When one of them says something more hateful and controversial than usual, I'll listen or read for context, but that's it. Nor did I listen to Air America. I prefer more neutral sources and don't mind hearing opinions with which I might disagree.

If I were a conservative, I'd sure want to pretend that the popularity of Rush and Beck and Fox News is thanks to liberals, but it isn't. If you want to draw a conclusion from the greater success of conservative talk radio over liberal I'd wonder if one factor is that more people in one group is simply more comfortable in an echo chamber than the other. It's worth considering.

Maybe people, on both sides, listen because they want to stay current on national news and opinions, whether they match their own or not.

I was being a bit facetious by the way, although I have heard many callers on those shows that are liberal.

[Diana Hignutt]

I did a couple of interviews on a couple of their shows. They had the worst engineering. One interview, on...something like the Schmulley Show or something, they couldn't get the feed right. Either I could hear the host or he could hear me...about five minutes like that they let him do the talking and left me hanging there like an idiot for a half-an-hour. We rescheduled the interveiw...but it sucked even without the techinical glitches. Absolute Worst Radio Network to work with EVER (And I've done interviews on hundreds of stations, networks, and shows.)