Can I express some Air America concerns?

[vi5]

I don't want to get flamed. I've tuned in every time I can and I will continue to tune in and continue to support their sponsors.

BUT.....

My fear about this is kind of coming true, and I had posted about this as far back as there was any discussion of a liberal radio station. The fact is that wingnuts get their news and information from places like Rush and Hannity and Boortz and O'Reilly, etc. etc. That is their reason to listen. They don't read papers, they don't watch any form of objective news. They listen to those guys because they hear things they didn't know about or hear anywhere else. Never mind that the reason they haven't heard it is because it's simply not the truth and has no basis in fact.

So I'm listening to Air America and everything they are saying and everything they are talking about I have already read, already discussed on this and other message boards and have already discussed ad nauseum with like minded, politically aware individuals. Yes, the humor thrown in is nice and I love Al and Randi and Janeane.

But as I said, I think most of what they are talking about is things that we already know about. So the Wingnuts have a sense of that they "must" listen to their cronies on radio because that is the only way they get information that they trust. For us it will be a nice addendum but it is not and won't be the be all end all for us and that I'm afraid won't lend itself to "must listen" radio. I'm afraid once the novelty wears off that it won't become a compulsion and will more be just something else to turn to which won't give it the ratings it needs to survive.

I really hope I'm wrong and I'm not trying to be negative. But after having listened for most of the day yesterday and the ride in today these are the thoughts that have kind of crossed my mind.

[Jim Warren]

1. I'd say I mostly agree

But my real hope is that radio broadens the reach of the message.

[LTR]

2. Us DUers already are a highly informed bunch

So I can understand your stance.

But many everyday listeners may not be as well-informed as us. And that is the target audience.

Why preach only to the choir? Or go over everyone's heads? And it's the first day, so give 'em a chance.

[vi5]

5. I hope you are right....

..and I hope the station actively solicits those listeners. But I live in an area (NY/NJ) where it is being broadcast and where we can pick it up, but I haven't seen any advertisements or print ads or billboards or anything. In the past that is always how radio djs and stations get new listeners. I remember when Howard, and Imus, and Rush and all the other talk radio jocks started you couldn't get away from them. The only place I'm hearing about this is on news stations and liberal message boards. They need to do more outreach and not position it so much as "liberal radio".

And yes, if they get those non-converted people they will win them over. But I'm worried as to how they are going to get them.

[LTR]

9. 'Word of mouth' is the best advertising

And it's not a great idea to heavily advertise to the masses until your product is polished.

A mass board/TV blitz would have been a disaster.

Let it grow on it's own, and advertising will be more effective.

And they already have gotten a TON of free pub. They can ride that out, instead of shooting their wad from the get-go.

[supernova]

3. But isn't that the nature

of the liberal mindset though?

Our motivation to do things (in this case listen to certain media) comes from an individual sense of what is worthwile and worthless. You can't compel a liberal to do anything. Air America will succeed or fail based upon their ability to appeal to us as individuals, not foster a manditory form of groupthink.

edit: I agree us DUers are a highly informed bunch already. Perhaps moreso than the general public. It's good to have programs where this stuff that we debate about daily gets out to the public.

[sendero]

6. If Air America's audience...

... is comprised of "liberals", they will fail by definition.

The idea is to get "swing" people to listen. Preaching to the choir is going to accomplish nothing politically.

[vi5]

8. And that is my worry.....

.....they have to stop allowing it to be positioned as "liberal radio". Regardless of actual political positions, less than 30% of the population regard themselves as "liberal" and/or would be attracted to something like that.

The other thing is, do you think many freepers actually listened yesterday? or will listen at all? Most of what I read or heard about from over there was there discussion of what we were saying. Meanwhile there are always threads going on here about what Rush said or what Hannity said, or whatever. So we listen to their shows but I doubt they will feel compelled to do the same.

[supernova]

14. Relax, we are taking

the word "liberal" back. ;-)

Frankly, I'm damn tired of being told that I'm unpatriotic, dirty, filty, amoral, a pansy and a wuss because I claim the word "liberal" for myself.

I'm glad there is finally a public outlet that stands up for the liberal view.

[supernova]

10. You're assuming DU

already has all of the liberals in the States. Not true by a long shot. At least 50% of the country is Democratic.

The radio can reach many more peope than DU can. Give it a chance. It's only the first full day of broadcasting. You mentioned advertising in your other reply. That costs $$$. AA needs to get some revenue coming in. I'm sure they will start advertising.

[onecitizen]

12. Yes we are........

the true majority. And unfortunately, we have been the silent majority for way too long.

[oceanpoetry]

4. Air America

is not necessarily just for us - already savvy to what is going on - it for all of those other people out there who haven't heard an alternative voices to mainstream media.

By comparison, do you think that Rush is really telling Freepers anything they don't already believe - no. He is providing talking points and motivating Freepers to get involved with politics.

Now we have representation for liberals on the airwaves - and I think it is AWESOME!

[calimary]

7. I do, too, having listened to it, off and on, throughout the afternoon

while I was driving around L.A. Signal spotty sometimes, but worth it! WE NEED TO SUPPORT IT, THANK THE STATIONS RUNNING IT, AND PRESS FOR MORE!!

[onecitizen]

11. You make one mistake here.........

most people don't know all this. They just do not know. Randi used to prove this almost everyday on her show. For whatever reason, people just do not get the other side of the story. They're busy working and raising kids so the only time they have to get news is to listen to car radio. And when all they can get is Right wing crap, that's what they believe to be the truth.

I loved the day yesterday. Listening to people who have some objectivity. Just my own opinion.

[K-W]

13. The whole point is to reach Dems who arent tied into information

we are not the target audience.

[Q]

15. The news changes every single day...

...which is why they're called 'current events'. Air America will continue to revisit the past as well as discuss current events from a 'liberal' perspective.

[muchacho]

16. T-shirt

I just want my AA t-shirt.

[daa]

17. The problem is

that Oxy Moron's show is scripted. This guy very carefully takes the news of his chosing and attempts to make it funny. Our show sounds very off the cuff. Oxy Moron puts a lot of time into what he says jsut like Leno and we are not doing that. I hope we succeed but we have to improve.

[SideshowScott]

18. Well its easy to live in a bubble but there alot of people who are not as

connected as most of us.. Any way to reach more like hearts and minds and listeners I'm behind it %110..
Hey I didn't know that James Baker was now representing the Saudis against the families of 9/11 till I listened.
AIR AMERICA rocks and its a breath of fresh air to me.. I love it and I'm gonna get as many people to listen as much as I can.
There are MANY MANY people who are sick of the right wing monopoly that the right wing HAD and the word needs to get out that if you like talk and news radio you do not HAVE to listen to those liars and fascists anymore!.
I want people to buy products that advertise on stations and I want more stations to carry Air America! And even though I'm not getting paid for it I will permote it as much as I can

[gasperc]

19. the radio station is needed to get beyond "the blog" crowd

you have a point, but with this broadcast we continue reach a broader audience that doesn't read the paper as often, or blog or DU etc.
alot may be stuff we all know but helps get that stuff out there to penetrate the wall between reality and media