Air America Radio chief resigns, fail to make payroll

[Teddy_Salad]

I hope this is just teething problems.
They did say they had enough dough to last two to three years without making a profit on advertising.

Published May 6, 2004, 6:01 PM CDT

In yet another sign of trouble for Air America Radio, the liberal talk network entering its fifth chaotic week on the air, co-founder and chairman Evan Cohen resigned Thursday, as did vice-chairman and investor Rex Sorensen.

The company also failed to make its scheduled payroll Wednesday, leaving its staff roughly 100 radio personalities, writers, and producers unpaid until Thursday.

"We're on a wild ride," said Jon Sinton, the network's president, acknowledging that Air America has suffered "the typical bumps and bruises faced by any start-up."
"But the bottom line," he said, "is that we are on the air to stay."

More...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-040506airamerica,1,3338899.story?coll=chi-business-hed

[quinnox]

1. Air America needs some changes

if they are gonna survive. Drop Randi Rhodes and also Franken's annoying co-host, and get some new talent in there. Perhaps Bernie Ward would be willing to take a slot.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[FlandersFeelds]

12. I'm not fucking stupid and I say Randi is grating

The last three times I tuned her in I had some really bad ass cluster headaches. There has also been a 3x increase in commercials so something is up.

[neverborn]

30. Then STOP LISTENING

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Must_B_Free]

49. How dare you deviate from the groupthink

officers, Ban this man - he's not a "real" liberal!

[shanti]

77. this dude had his tombstone

LONG ago, rest assured.

[Bandit]

73. I have

I listened for the first few days but was quite dissapointed and have stopped listening. They don't use humor or satire and they just rant and try to be a liberal version of Rush and Hannity. I can't stand them so why should I like a liberal version of them?

[ParanoidPat]

31. That's FUNNY! I listen to Randi every day and only get .....

....."really bad ass cluster headaches" reading your posts! :evilgrin:

Thank GOD there's so few of them! :argh:

[FlandersFeelds]

37. Than godess someone can stand me!

Thank's for the positive vibes. :-) :shake:

[Yupster]

41. Lots of commercials

seems like a good sign -- no?

[wyldwolf]

53. If there has been a 3x increase in commercials , then that means success.

You're complaining about a 3x increase in commercials?

[bearfartinthewoods]

58. not necessarily

if a show is successful and can raise it's ad rates as in $ per minute of commercial, they need not run as many commercials. if they have to lower their $ pre minute rate, they need to run more commercials to make the same amount of money.

[wyldwolf]

63. That is not so in this case, though

A start-up cannot command higher rates per minute.

In this specific case, more ads means more business.

[SidewalkShuffle]

64. I have to listen online

and I am sure they are running a few different ad slots than each individual station. But what I hear is 90% PSAs. Is this the same on actual over the air broadcasts?

Are they running more commercial, private business advertisements, or have the upped the amount of PSAs?

[wyldwolf]

69. There was some legistlation about commercials on internet radio

Dunno the details, but there are ads running on air that we are not hearing online.

If you listen to the Rhodes show online from her Florida station, you'll actually hear dead air where the commercials run.

[yankeedem]

61. 3x increase in advertising?

Uh, isn't that good for a for profit station?

[leanings]

26. lol...gawd I love this place

Yeah, quit spewing your fucking vitriol, you stupid fuckheads!!!! Eye-Row-Knee proof.

[MilDem]

59. Dude, that was uncalled for

You replied like he just called your mother a whore. Saying what you think about a show isn't "dumbfuck vitriol." You sound like a left-wing dittohead when you say things like that. I, for one, don't like Randi Rhodes and ratings aren't always an good measure of quality. (If that were true, Rush Limbaugh would be the greatest radio show in the nation.)

You need to get over your hate before you find yourself becoming like your enemy.

[Teddy_Salad]

5. Drop Randi Rhodes?

She's the only radio professional they have on the air right now.
I reckon her ratings will be very good.

Yeah, they will make changes if they survive but Randi shouldn't be one of them, IMHO.

[napi21]

14. I think you're wrong on Randi. She has quqite a following.

Her style isn't attractive to everyone, the same as Limbaugh isn't, but her fans are very loyal. I would suggest Mike Malloy, but if you don't like Randi, you probably wouldn't like Mike either.

I'm not terribly thrilled with Al, but I love the guests he's had. As far as his co-host....somebody has to try to keep Alfocused on the things he has to do. She apparently has some radio experience and he needs that guidance from someone.

[Eric J in MN]

23. I like Franken's cohost (nt)

nt

[wyldwolf]

52. typical - let's "change it" to what has failed before...

Honestly - people who like NPR and Pacifica HAVE NPR and Pacifica. Air America doesn't have to be a clone of them.

The only show I would retain would be Rhodes and Franken (and Franken only because of name recognition.) I like Garafalo but I don't see her staying even if the network became a giant ratings winner.

The rest of the lineup is boring as hell. NPR/Pacifica delivery. Snnoze fest.

Add Schultz, Malloy, and other experienced and professional announcers to match Rhode's professionalism and combative style.

My opinion, though.

[MilDem]

57. I'm with you on Randi Rhodes

I don't have a problem with Franken's co-host, but Randi Rhodes just seems like a left-wing Bill O'Rieley to me.

[napi21]

2. Oooohhh, I really hope they stay on the air!

I don't have the $$ to be able to help. Maybe they should concentrate on a great advertising sales person! It sure seems that they have the listening audience....lots of people listen via the net (like me). It's just not available in enough markets yet. But I would think national businesses would be interested in ad time?

Maybe on-line businesses...what better opportunity?

[toddzilla]

7. honestly..

franken sucks, seder sucks, i guess rhodes is popular although i can't stand her.

there just needs to be much, much more polish for it to work, and i haven't seen much improvement.

[Eric J in MN]

24. What radio shows do you like? (nt)

nt

[SidewalkShuffle]

65. Sucky hosts

You are not the only one that thinks Franken and Seder suck. Garafalo sucks too.

Rhodes, while her voice is less than easy on the ears is the only actual radio talent they have.

People look at Limbaugh, Hannity, Boortz, etc... and see how big they are and how large of an audience they have. There is a major reason for this. They spent decades on the radio previous to their "big break." Limbaugh started when he was a teenager. Worked for staitons all over the country. Got fired a bunch of times and had to start all over. He stuck with it, built his skills and after decades of hard work has become the undisputed king of radio.

Boortz started in college and was an attorney to pay the bills while radio was his love.

Hannity, like Boortz did other things to pay the bills while pursuing radio, and like Limbaugh worked for various stations as he slowly built up a career and finally hit the big time.

Air America has attempted to take known liberal personalities with ZERO talk radio experience and turn them into a national broadcaster over night. It is a receipe for failure. Talent, ability, and message all need to be well honed and built through experience in the industry.

There are ample local liberal hosts who are doing what the Rush's of today were doing 30 years ago. These are the people who should have been scouted.

I was hoping this venture would be a bang up success, and it yet may well be. But after a month on the air it has shown no signs of moving in that direction. All the conservatives I know were making wild predictions about AAs demise before they started broadcasting. I figured it was just typical reactionary behaviour. Unfortunatly it is appearing that they will be proven correct unless the train gets back on the tracks.

[Sterling]

70. What a joke.

You hold those losers up as the standard of talk radio? No wonder you don't like AA it propaply hurts your head to have to absord all the content. It's not like they just spoon feed you your opinions like the host you look up to.

[bearfartinthewoods]

60. this is the thing that i DO NOT UNDERSTAND

from the begining, the word was that the financing was in place for a year of possible, in the red, operations. it's been only five freaking weeks and they can't pay their people?

somebody was/is full of bullshit and it they can't get this together we're screwed.

so glad i didn't buy sat radio....

[King_Crimson]

4. Then hire Mike Malloy...

Bernie Ward, Guy James, Ed Schultz and get your listenership UP so more advertisers will actually WANT to advertise on AAR!
Why don't these people wake up? For Christ sakes, Malloy was instrumental in getting Jon Sinton into the radio business! Why he snubs these people that could make that network explode is way beyond me! :argh:

[rumguy]

8. I take it you like Malloy!

[King_Crimson]

10. AND Bernie Ward...

AND Guy James, AND Ed Schultz! I take you read my Malloy thread? He has a legion of fans of which I am but one!

[rumguy]

17. I've never head his show...what is he doing now?

[King_Crimson]

22. Well...he is currently...

for the most part unemployed! However...you can go to www.whiterosesociety.org and download a great many of his past shows, thanks to Ben Burch who is a member of DU and archived about 3 months worth of Malloy's shows! Give it a shot...I think you'll be quite impressed! :headbang:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

28. Miss old Mikey.

No bells or whistles, just enjoyable. Have I said how much...

[quinnox]

11. Good lineup

Now that would be something to listen to. I would tune in if they could get that kind of talent. It would be a lot better than what they got now.

[SidewalkShuffle]

66. See my above post

You, like me (i assume) think AA should have gone after actual radio talent who know what they are doing vs. going for a liberal with a known name with NO radio experience.

[rumguy]

6. They'll survive, they're getting the ratings...

The radio bizness is hard, confusing, it's easy to lose money in it...they are learning the ropes. They'll figure it out.

[Teddy_Salad]

13. Let's hope so, Rumguy

You're dead right, it's a tough business and my concern is that not enough 'radio people' were involved in this from the startup.

I hope you're right.

[Freddie Stubbs]

72. I haven't seen any ratings yet

What kind of ratings are they getting? Does anyone have a link?

[Teddy_Salad]

9. Realplayer question

I think it's safe to say that most of their listenership is via the internet and I believe it gets a lot of hits.

Does it cost AirAm a lot of money to stream?

Anyone know? :shrug:

[rumguy]

15. Another question: Do streaming listeners count towards ratings?

[Teddy_Salad]

20. No, they don't RG

And I'm not sure it would have much clout when selling advertising.

Most commercial internet streams I listen to actually silence the ads when they come on.
Why they do this, I have no idea.

In fact, I've noticed that AirAm has been doing this at times recently too.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

34. I believe it's a media buy issue

The advertisers buy airtime on the flagship NY station that AAR streams from, but if their spots go out over the Internet it may be a different ad rate and might also impact talent residuals. That's my guess, anyway; I notice that lately a lot more advertisers vs. PSAs are being broadcast in the stream.

[Teddy_Salad]

38. Thanks for that

Your explanation makes sense.

Yeah, I've also noticed more advertisers the past week.

I really hope they can pull this off.

[SidewalkShuffle]

67. Talent residuals

is what I believe the problem is. If I remember correctly, they union who represents a lot of voice talent for commercials sued for more money because the ads were also being streamed. Stations stoped including the ads on the stream.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

80. Thanks for that - here's more info

I just Googled the issue and found this editorial from the owner of KTBB radio broadcasting Tyler, Texas. As he explains, streaming costs most stations about $10,000 per year. His station has stopped streaming their broadcast because of issues raised by SAG/AFTRA.

http://www.ktbb.com/nostream.html

I don't agree with the broadcasters' position that streaming is simply an extension of over-the-air broadcast. This "simple extension" increases reach from a local to a national and even an international audience. Talent residual payments for a commercial vary depending on its usage, and the current SAG contract requires renegotiation of contracts if a spot developed for local use is expanded to a national media schedule. IMO this sets a precedent that gives the union the right to demand additional payments for increased reach over the internet.

[Nile]

51. They silence the ads because...

most ads for radio stations are for their local listening area, not national.

[King_Crimson]

16. From what I understand...

it's NOT cheap!

[countmyvote4real]

27. Good point.

I live in NYC and I still stream it with the Gawd awful Real Player for the Mac. I hear the Windows version is just as bad. Why don't they offer it as a QuicktTme stream? That's cross-platform and IMO much better.

[rooboy]

18. MikeMalloyMikeMalloyMikeMalloyMikeMalloyMikeMalloyMikeMalloy n/t

[Zinfandel]

19. "We are on the air to stay." Mike Malloy!

I don't doubt it and I know it's true...However, if they would just see that Mike Malloy would cement it in stone...offering what's sorely needed....Entertainment, wit, passion, intelligence, KNOWLEDGE, insight, professionalism, fire, compassion, and a strong Democrats voice.

A voice and cadence made for radio...The sponsors would be lining up, he'll be a national sensation.

A true professional...With a built-in audience...Internet, Radio, Sirus, etc...

Everyone is screaming for Malloy! (Except for the Republicans, who would panic).


http://www.mikemalloy.com/index.php

http://homepage.mac.com/benburch/Malloy.html

[0rganism]

56. Can you imagine Mike RANTING about the prison scandal?

He would have been THE PERFECT VOICE. No one can pull off a sustained RANT the way Mike Malloy can. No one.

His absence is a sucking chest wound in my talk radio habit.

[JimT]

21. It's only been a month...

...It's too soon I believe for ratings to be the problem. They simply are not getting any advertising revenue. The Bush Administration have created an atmosphere of fear with their "your with us or the terrosists" attitude. I think advertiser's are afraid of buying time on the stations.

Frankly, I lost hope after losing them here in Chicago. I was listening all the time while they were on.

[linazelle]

25. Rush had 20 years to "perfect" his delivery...give AAR a chance

Honestly, you have to wonder what would motivate anyone to criticize AAR when there is no alternative in the "liberal media."

Areyououtofyourfreakingminds?!

[Maat]

32. I support Air America...I have let my conservative friends know..

that there are many of us who support the shows, and one way or another, we will be listening to these hosts. I alternate between listening to Al and Air America and Thom Hartmann, and I alternate between Randi and Ed Schultz. And I catch whatever show I missed later. And check out The Young Turks, you Sirius listeners. They are great. I let my Repub friends know -- we will find a way to keep everyone in business -- and to get Malloy back on the air! Live with that, Repubs! You cannot stop me from enjoying my liberal media!

[doni_georgia]

54. Took Neil Boortz even longer

He started out at WRNG (Ring) radio in Atlanta - a small upstart talk AM station in the early 1970s. He moved to WGST (when Hannity was there); then he moved to WSB radio. He didn't go national until 2000 - and even then it was gradual. Before Boortz came to WSB, it was the liberal station and WGST was the conservative station. Mike Malloy was on WSB. I miss those days. Now every single station in Atlanta has a conservative bent except our local public radio station, who's pretty neutral.

I love Air America. I listen online (obviously the only choice I have here in Atlanta). I'm waiting for it to come to Dish so I can listen in other rooms in the house besides the office. I wish they could pick up an Atlanta station, but there aren't any available.

[SidewalkShuffle]

68. 20 years

he had 20 years prior to his starting his current show in 1988. He has actually been a radio personality since he was a teenager. He is in his 50's nows. He has been on air going on 40 years.

People often seen succesful people after they are succesful. Most are not overnighters. And unfortunatly, I think AA was hoping getting a few big name, recognized liberals as hosts would turn them and AA into an overnight success. It never happens. And those that do become an overnight success often have a schtick that quickly attracts a large audience (Morton Downey) and then it wears off and they go away as quick as they came.

[leanings]

29. Christ...

how many wingnut radio stations and talkshows in this country? And the left can't use Soros' money and some of the most wellknown comedians around to cobble together one fucking station?

This is sad, folks. Really sad.

[Zinfandel]

35. Most are not radio people...A different ballgame, they are visual

performers, radio is for the pros who know it, different animals...They can keep an audience tuning in day after day, week after week, month after month.

Hence, profits. These are are hard-headed fucks at AAR.

They don't see the writing on the wall...or worse, they ignore it.

To all our chagrin, dismay and sorrow.

Many times I'm amazed how un-informed the AAR host are, (save perhaps Randi Rhodes).

Can we say it enough? Mike Malloy! (A profitable investment, a Democrat). Sponsors will line up.
http://homepage.mac.com/benburch/Malloy.html
:bounce:

Just write or call AAR, they need and wan to hear your voice,
http://www.airamericaradio.com/pub/globalDefault.htm

[belle]

40. They don't have Soros' money, unfortunately.

He gave to MoveOn, not AA. I wish he would; I don't know why he doesn't.

[leanings]

42. hmm..didn't know that..

thanks..

[symbolman]

33. We've been doing a weekly show

for about 35 weeks now for NOTHING..

because we are patriots.. come have a listen, tell Air America to run US on the weekends, I think we have a lot of fun and we know what we are talking about..

not your usual brown rice, hybrid car driving whiny liberal types..

we kick their asses..

http://www.takebackthemedia.com/radio.shtml

have a listen.. better than 18 inch knitting needles in each eye any day of the week :) or my name isn't symbolradioman..

[King_Crimson]

39. Symbolman...

your show would be the PERFECT fit for weekends!
And I oughta be ashamed of myself...I left Peter Werbe outta the lineup and that's who I listen to Sunday nights! :wtf:

[symbolman]

50. Thanks

wolf.. and we serve free beer all weekend too :)

appreciate it,

sym

[AgadorSparticus]

43. waiting to hear howard stern sign on to AAR

wouldn't that be a hoot??!!!

[Wapsie B]

44. I love Randi Rhodes.

She's really got her act together.

[AgadorSparticus]

45. i must agree. her show is my favorite.

[doni_georgia]

55. I like Randi too. I think she is right on about 90% of the time. n/t

[Romberry]

46. Well, that was a little misleading.

They didn't "fail to make payroll" so much as they were a day late with the checks. I suspect the executive turnover may have had something to do with that.

[politicat]

48. Yes, it's a problem, but - Ariz. State was late with employee checks

at least once a semester for student workers. 100 year old institution was late with a check every year I was there.

When my small business employer changed payroll service providers in 2000, checks were two days late. When my partner's company changed providers last year, checks were on time, but had to be deposited instead of direct into the bank account.

This is new business shakedown, folks.

Where's Douglas Adams and Ford Prefect when we need them?

DON'T PANIC ( in large reassuring letters written on the front cover.)

Pcat

[NJCher]

47. edit subject heading, then

completely misleading.


Cher

[MarkTwain]

62. Have Ignored It Since the End of the First Week....

Randi Rhodes - alhtough well-meaning - is grating and obnoxious. She is so over-the-top as to make progressives appear to be nothing more than the hysterical, whining malcontents of which we are accused. Her "act" becomes boring after the first thirty minutes.

.... just why is it that anyone presumes that the same loud-mouthed approach, vis-a-vis ScumBag Limbaugh, needs to be duplicated to appeal to the liberal audience? Hello! Progressives are, by their very nature and the definition of the word, far more intellectually mature, complex, and peaceful. They do not harbor the same visceral and primal hate do which the conservative troglodytes. So, just why does anyone think that Ms. Rhodes is going to appeal to more than the "extreme" part of the liberal base?

Franken's co-host is yet another reason I don't bother with this effort. I believe that Al is well over the age of twelve - he doesn't need a chastising, condescending den mother administering to his talent.

And let's not talk about the "quality" of the streaming effort. Like being in a car that's slowly running out of gas: start, stop; start, stop.

From all of their problems this first month, it looks as if the poor considerations evident in the line up of "talent" (doesn't it make anyone wonder why a developed and passionate, but professional, talent such as Malloy is not with them...hmmmm, just what did HE know about this from the beginning?) were duplicated in the planning, financing, and administration of the project overall.

Pity.

[Sterling]

71. Stop being playa hatas

I see a lot of people attacking AA today. It seems that they are not after all out of money. That did not stop many DUers from rejoicing at the idea that they might fail.

One of these posters seems to be a fan of RW talk radio. No mystery there why they would be looking for bad news for AA.

The really sad part is that the rest seem to be sour grapes types that are upset thier favorite internet radio person is not getting AA time. WTF is that.

I have heard god things about Malloy and other online favs but to claim that compaired to him people like JG, Franken and Rhobes not talented is just bullshit.

JG is one of the funniest and most thoughtful personalities in the game. Franken is a super funny class act all the way. In fact these guys have name recognition to boot. Seriously Franken is a legend. JG has been in tons of movies. It is great that they have offered their valuable time to help get this thing started. They could surely do better in terms of their own careers than to help get a start up radio network going don't you think?

Why does it have to be one or the other? Can't you guys support AA at the same time you like Malloy?

[Jane Austin]

78. I sure agree with the talent on AA being good.

I am thoroughly enjoying them and enjoy each of them for their own flavors.

[robbedvoter]

74. This article is old news. AAR, Randi=the new Clinton

Used to be - when Clinton's name was in a thread title, freepers were on it like flies (and some DU-ers too). Now it's AAR/Randi - so they must be doing something right!
I am not associating the names by mistake - Randi is the heart ans soul of AAR and has a lot of credit for starting Air America.
So, those of you who hate them, enjoy it - suc it's here to stay!
For me - it's the only reason I have some hope we aren't doomed.

[bobbieinok]

75. Mike Malloy, Peter Werbe, Ski and Skinner, maybe Tavis Smiley

[Edgewater_Joe]

76. I Know Who Their New CEO Should Be

He's kind of a rebel ...

He knows how to build a network from scratch ...

He has a little money and isn't doing anything right now ...

He's liberal-leaning, especially on international issues ...

He probably feels like he has something to prove to the broadcast world ...

He would bring a lot of publicity to the joint ...

... somebody find out if Ted Turner's interested, m'kay?

[robbedvoter]

79. Riiight. And when it starts making money, sell it to clear channel, non?

is everyone here self destructive or some are freepers?