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Friday, May 12, 2006
5/12: Whither Air America in Atlanta?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Joe Weber, the bakery magnate, recently purchased for $12 million 1690 WWAA-AM, current home of liberal talk syndicate Air America (Al Franken, Randi Rhodes, et. al). He plans to change 1690 to what he has now on AM/1160: an eclectic oldies format he created which ranges from Beethoven to Little Richard to Bruce Springsteen to Dean Martin.
Air America, Weber said, will be on 1690 at least through June 10. He said he’s in talks with Air America to lease time on his 1160 signal, which he hopes to sell. He likes 1690 because it has a stronger night-time signal and is more centralized int he city than 1160, which faces some interference from 1190.
Jon Sinton, Atlanta based president of Air America (which has 90 affiliates nationwide) said he’s looking at other stations to place Air America and 1160 is an option. Air America on 1690 since it launched a couple of years ago here in Atlanta has had modest ratings, which isn’t surprising given the signal’s locale on the dial and the lack of marketing from the current owners.
Sinton said Air America is doing well in typical liberal alcoves such as Ann Arbor, Mich., Madison, Wi., Portland, Ore. and the like. But it also does well in Los Angeles, San Diego and Miami.
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5/12: Group starts Free FM campaign
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Joey Mills, who was a big fan of Fred Toucher, is encouraging people who are familiar with the FM talk format to encourage Dave FM to add Opie & Anthony in the mornings and former 99Xer’s Toucher, Rich and Crash in the afternoons. (That latter show starts next month on WBCN in Boston. Opie & Anthony have never been on air locally in Atlanta but can be heard on XM Satellite Radio.) CBS, which owns Dave, has several “Free FM’ talk formats in several major markets. Here’s the web site
Here’s the note he sent me:
My friends and I are joining up with some of the Opie & Anthony fans to bring Free FM to the 92.9. We are hoping to get their attention over at CBS Radio. We want them to have Opie and Anthony in the morning and Toucher and Rich syndicated in the afternoon. We are encouraging all of the Toucher and Rich fans and Opie and Anthony fans to call CBS Radio Operator (212) 258-6000 ask for the Programming Department and tell them that you want FREE FM in Atlanta with Opie and Anthony and Toucher and Rich.
Joey Mills
My impression is that Rick Caffey, the head of CBS Radio Atlanta (which also include powerhouse V-103), is deeply committed to Dave FM despite weaker than expected ratings the past year. Dave FM is ranked 15th overall among 25 to 54 year olds and 16th in the mornings. They have been touting the station’s high-quality demographics and advertisers like the active nature of its fan base. Free FM as a format is not a proven commodity so would CBS be willing to tinker here in Atlanta? I’m not so sure they would for now.
