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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.
Comments
By Harold
May 12, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this
Now that AirTran flies to Seattle I don’t care if American and/or Delta goes under. They can greed themselves all the way to the unemployment line for all I care.
By VALERIE
May 12, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this
Air America radio is a breath of fresh air in this city, and especially out here in Atlanta suburbia! I am so tired of hypocritical Rush, Bush-lackey Sean, and that mysoginistic BOOrtz. I drive around all day ferrying 4 kids to one activity after another. The only hope I have for these kids is the knowledge that someone is actually paying attention and not following the lock-step (either-you’re-with-us-or-you’re-against-us) mentality of Bush’s politics of fear.
By Dykstra
May 12, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this
It’s time for Air America to disappear. It’s so contrived and moronic. They failed because the market doesn’t demand left-wing radio spouting hate speech.
By Cephas
May 15, 2006 09:32 AM | Link to this
Dykstra, I don’t think you’ve really listened to Air America. No hate speech. Just refreshing truth. Have you heard the right wingers? Talk about mean.
I think WGST ought to just give up and become the Atlanta Air America affiliate.
By Jeff
May 15, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this
For GST to become the Air America station would be the FINAL push off the cliff for the station.
Al Franken is a big, fat liar. Besides, Air America will be completely off the air before 2007.
By Stephen
May 15, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
Considering WWAA got a 0.5 in the ratings without promotion or advertising, I would sat that there is an audience. By the way, they did tie with WGKA which does advertise and I do not see WMLB 1160 on the Arbitrons. I know for a fact that there is a listening audience in the Atlanta area for Air America.
By gttim
May 15, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this
If Liberal Radio was given the same chance that Conservative Radio has enjoyed for decades, it would be competitive. The signals they are on are always very week on stations way down the dial. I used to listen to Air America’s Morning Sedition on XM until they split that morning show up. I could never even pick it up on 1690. Conservatives and Evangelicals started buying up any available radio stations in the 80’s. They have effectively implemented a stanglehold as to what gets broadcast, which was their goal. It is not about ratings, but it is about keeping real news and differing opinions off the air.
By gunny
May 15, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this
Competition is competition so although I enjoy Air America, I don’t feel like any radio network “deserves” to be on the air. Liberal radio does work in some markets but Atlanta is probably not one of them. This talk market has long been dominated by Boortz and Limbaugh and left-minded political proponents aren’t used to having a talk media outlet. So many don’t know about it since there is very little promotion and many don’t see a need for it since they are already used to getting their information from other sources. Plus, the calibre of hosts on AA are really not up to conservative talk standards. Let’s be honest… even if you don’t agree with Limbaugh’s politics, you have to admit that Franken just isn’t the most engaging radio talkshow host out there. You have to really be dedicated to sit through an entire show without channel surfing a little bit. The best Air America can hope for is to capture new talk radio listeners.
By listen_to_randi_and rachel
May 16, 2006 09:27 AM | Link to this
I greatly enjoy Rachel Maddow in the mornings and Randi Rhodes in the afternoons.
I can do without Al Franken and Jerry Springer. Those time slots need to go to stronger personalities.
Meanwhile, if Air America goes off the air in ATL its time for satellite radio, specifically XM as they carry AAR.
By Debbie D'Arcy
May 16, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this
Dear Rodney, thank you for the good article. All of us working at 1690 Air Atlanta/ WWAA-AM appreciate it. Debbie D’Arcy
By Whatever
May 16, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this
It would be nice to see AA stay where it is. It is a breath of fresh air especially considering the blowhards that dominate talk radio. I have not heard of any person more passionate about issues than Rhandi Rhodes. And she is the ultimate in entertainment. “Putting the BROAD in broadcasting” is such a cool slogan for her, because that’s who she is. I like the fact that she seeks to sift through the garbase and rhetoric and just tells it like it is. She does say some off the wall things at times, but usually you know when she’s just being that way to entertain.
Al Franken is a tremendous bore though. Keep going guys…
By karl tatum
May 16, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this
gttim, you got it right about the right wingers buying up stations to keep differing opinions off the airwaves. What is going on in this country concerning censorship and suppression of views differing from that of the current administration, and Republicans in general is very dangerous. To see Air America leave this market will be a sad day. True enough, Franken and Springer are definitely weak soldiers to advance the progressive agenda, but for God’s sake, after decades of innundation by the Limbaugh/Boortz/Hannity right wing ideolouge diatribes, even these two lightweights are refreshing as an alternative. Variety is always a good thing, and freedom of choice should be coveted. Unfortunately, this is still Georgia, the Bible Belt, and the land of closed-minded right wing hypocrisy and fear. We are living through the final days of this great experiment of a representative democracy and constitutional republic. Goodbye America, Hello Amerika.
By CMM
May 17, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this
What a bummer. I love Air America, especially Rachel Maddow in the mornings and (unlike most here) Al Franken. Yes, he’s earnest and wonkish and not a shouter (and props to Randi Rhodes for her guts but she’s all about the shoutin’) but his guests are great and when I listen to even one segment of his show I feel like I’ve gotten real information out of it. I will hate it if AA isn’t somewhere around the Atlanta dial anymore—and moving it to 1160 for the days doesn’t help those of us who work nights and looked forward to Franken and Rhodes in the wee hours….
By BK
May 19, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this
Airhead America is going off the air because it doesn’t make any $$$. Reminder thatw we all live in a capitalistic system.
By Bob G.
May 22, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this
At least when I listen to Air America I feel like I’m being informed, and not being lied to or brainwashed. Hannity, wanna-be with the big boys Boortz and Limbaugh should be tried and imprisoned for lying to the American public.
If this does go through, its just gets me one step closer to satellite radio.