***Air America's new schedule is set***

[LTR]

This comes from Ohio Media Watch, and it's based on the schedule that AAR sent to their affiliates. I believe it to be very legit.

5-6A Mark Riley (new time slot)
6-9A The Young Turks (new show)
9-Noon Sam Seder (new time slot)
Noon-3P Al Franken
3-6P Randi Rhodes (losing an hour)
6-8P Rachel Maddow (new time slot)
8-9P "Politically Direct" with David Bender (moving from weekends)
9-10P "Ecotalk" with Betsy Rosenberg (moving from weekends)
10-Mid Peter Werbe (on a 'guest host' basis until slot is filled)

Notes:

* "Ecotalk" and "Politically Direct" could be flip-flopped in time slots.

* The Young Turks have officially signed with AAR, and will be giving up their evening show on Sirius that is also syndicated to a few other stations.

* Randi's show is scaled down to three hours from four.

* The moves of Maddow and Seder are confirmed.

* Peter Werbe will be filling in on an interim basis until the slot is permanently filled. "RadioNation" with Laura Flanders will not be moving to weeknights. The new show, whatever it may be, will be scaled back to two hours.

* Overnights are reruns, starting with an Al Franken replay at midnight ET.

* Springer gets bumped from the regular schedule, but his show moves to AAR's syndication lineup (with Thom Hartmann) and is still available to affiliates in the same time slot.

More here, and updates whenever:

http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2006/09/air-america-radios-new-fall-lineup.html

[hlthe2b]

1. typo on Riley? Perhaps 5-6AM and not 5-9AM....?

thanks for passing this message alone. Confirms much of what we have heard. Damn, I wish they'd get Marc Maron back on. Malloy seems a remote possibility at his point...

[Chimichurri]

2. The Young Turks is a great add on

I still miss Mike Malloy

[bdamomma]

19. me too.

[gasperc]

3. so are Springer and Hartmann feelancers

do the affiliates have the option of choosing who they want for the 9-12pm slot?

[LTR]

4. They are part of AAR's syndicated offerings

So yes.

I updated the original post, and corrected Riley's airtime.

[gatorboy]

6. Springer's a freelancer now I think.

Which is fine. I'd much rather listen to Sam anyway.

[Ioo]

5. That Makes the Mark Riley show still just 1 hour to long...

God that man drives my nuts!

[hlthe2b]

30. I know what you mean... re: Riley

I tried to like him on his own (I did like him with Maron). I really did. But he is just plain.... boring.

[Kahuna]

32. He is pretty useless. But I can only hope that my evening drive

time is over before Rachel Maddow comes on. I know she is popular with a lot of DUers, but YUCK!!! There IS a reason why she keeps getting shifted out of primetime. Hopefully this will be her last shift before AAR gets the message. She does not have mass appeal. Wishing and hoping won't make it so. And the same goes for Riley. They should both be out the door.

[vireo]

42. I agree re Maddow

Eliminating that drivetime hour of Randi's is a big mistake, imo.

[tavalon]

56. Really

I love her clear voice and her gentle rants. She's one I've been a fan of for quite a while.

[SharonRB]

60. Tavalon!

I haven't seen you around in ages. We must be hanging out in different places.


I'll miss getting ready for work while listening to Rachel in the morning. My husband is happy, though, as he's never liked her. I have no idea what our local affiliate will do to the schedule, though. Of course, I stream most of the day at work anyway, so it really doesn't matter that much. We currently get Randi as a rebroadcast from 6-10 p.m., so I don't know if we'll get Rachel at all.

[JPZenger]

7. Laura Flanders at 10 pm.

When the temp host at 10 pm was getting flustered from all the "I Like Mike" calls he was getting, he leaked out last week that Laura Flanders would be the permanent host at 10pm. He said she would start in 2 weeks, and that was a week ago.

I like Rachel Maddow's show alot, and I am glad Seder is still on the air. However, Sedar will be on at a time when I won't be able to hear him. I am glad Springer will be gone - he was an embarrasment to the network.

[LTR]

11. Laura Flanders is not taking over the slot

http://www.airamerica.com/lauraflanders/node/3140#comment-227174

From RN producer Steve Rosenfeld:

Dear bloggers. While the rumor mill is spinning. We have been told absolutely nothing about moving to the week, let alone to replace Mike Malloy in his late night slot. We were as shocked as everyone about Malloy, who is a kindred spirit. Everything else really is speculation. AAR management is making changes, but the last we've been told we're staying in our weekend perch.

(second post)

We would be telling you guys first if there were changes. Our response to the develpments at AAR is to do what we do best - more programming that brings voices to the airwaves and political debate that we feel need to be heard. That's the healthiest thing we can do.

[never_get_over_it]

24. Yes and then the next night

he backed away from that statement....and started saying he was substituting until the new line up was announced...

[Fluffdaddy]

8. No More Jerry ?..........THANK GOD

[a kennedy]

9. He's going to be on dancing with the stars......

that starts tonight on ABC I think.

[Benhurst]

10. They should have cut Franken back to one hour as a test to see

if that would tighten up his show. If not, his show should be the next one to go. But three hours? Way, way too long for Al.

[Fluffdaddy]

13. No I say.....................Al is the DA-MAN

[gmoney]

12. Sucks Randi losing an hour... all these short shows - a theory.

Wonder if she'll continue to do 4 hours, because it sounds like that's her deal with her old station in Florida. Maybe the 4th hour will be available on WJNO's stream?

I'm guessing it might not even be permanent... all these 1 and 2 hour shows -- that can't be cost effective. I suspect they're going to try this lineup for a while until some ratings come out, then cut a few shows and expand others to 3 hours. For instance, I can't imagine "Ecotalk" drawing much of a regular audience, but what do I know? They powers that be at AAR obviously don't know what they're doing either...

I'm glad Sam gets to stay... maybe they're priming him to take the 12-3 spot when Al has to step down to run for office... or could they conceivably be thinking that far ahead?

[LTR]

14. I heard Randi wanted to scale back

At least that's what the rumor seems to be. She seems okay with it. It also fits in better with affiliates, which often tend to prefer scheduling shows in three hour periods.

The two one-hour shows that move over from the weekends have their own sponsors. PFAW sponsor "Politically Direct" and several organizations bankroll "Ecotalk", so yes, they are cost-effective. "Majority Report" didn't clear many over-the-air affiliates, so this will have a negligable effect on that. And one hour shows might slot in well for some stations that have an hour to fill.

One hour shows might even be the wave of the future. One notable offering is the new radio show from Penn Jillette, which is made available to CBS-owned FM talk stations (Free FM). It's a fast-paced hour-long daily radio show that, while many DUers would detest it, is actually pretty good. It's also aimed very heavily toward podcasts (which I imagine is where most of their listeners are, since it airs on only eight stations). If you're tough enough, you can check out his official site and a fan site with MP3 podcasts.

As for Sam taking over Franken's shift, I would assume Thom Hartmann would be first in line there. But it's nice to see that they're serious about allowing Seder to develop his show.

[corkhead]

15. It was Al who drew me to AAR when it started, but now I would rather

hear Sam in his place. I wish Ring of Fire was on 5 days a week. Best show on the network imho

[mucifer]

20. Ring of Fire is a great show but Bobby and Pap need to spend their time

writing, researching and sueing the fat cats.

[Rosco T.]

39. Randi wanted to cut 1 hour...

a 4 hour show is PAINFUL for the host by the time you get to the end.. and it's a abberation really, the day is generally programmed in 3 hour blocks.

[longship]

16. Bad that Malloy is gone... Good that Werbe is filling in.

He's far, far better than that guy, Jon Elliot, who's been doing Malloy's shift this last week. He calls himself "The most dangerous liberal"; I call him "The most self-overrated liberal".

[never_get_over_it]

26. After Mike's little visit to Sam's show the other night

I'm pretty convinced he'll be back to AAR....

[LTR]

27. That would not surprise me

But the question is, would Malloy come back to AAR?

[never_get_over_it]

34. On Sam's show Mike said

he would come back if there was a change in management - which was a bit of a change in what he had said the day beofore on Guy James where he said he would not go back to AAR - which was one of the reasons I am suspicious that something is going on at AAR - that and that he actually did appear on Sam's show and that Sam dropped a small hint that said a special guest AAR luminaries - former luminary that might be coming back.....

[cascadiance]

49. I wonder if this is a sign that Goldberg might be on the way out?...

I think it was Goldberg that championed hiring Springer as one of his first moves when he took over CEO. Then he alienated many of us former Sirius subscribers with his move to do an "exclusive" arrangement with XM. With Springer being pushed out of the lineup and these sorts of comments coming from Mike, I wonder if there's some investor and other management rebellion that might show later to oust him and bring back Mike for the 10-midnight shift later.

I tell you though, if Sirius hires back Mike Malloy and perhaps does other changes kind of like what I propose in the following schedule, then I might just go back to Sirius. On the other hand, firing Goldberg, and getting back Mike Malloy would keep me with Air America I think.

http://miken.best.vwh.net/talkradio/newlineups3.html

Somehow though I think that the Ecotalk segment is a bit too late into the evening. I want someone that can fire me up emotionally like Malloy does at that time when I don't want to spend a lot of time thinking too rationally then. Ecotalk seems like a segment for earlier in the day. I think Laura Flanders would fit better in that segment. I'd like picking her up then.

[Skelington]

17. Does Air America have trouble selling advertisments?

or is is just the affiliate here in Albuqueruqe? I listen to 1350am and instead of advertisements most of the time they play VERY redundant station music, or the same musiv track over and over.

[LTR]

29. A little of both

AAR seems to do well selling network ad time (though advertising does seem pretty light during the late night and weekend shifts). Some of the live weekend shows, however, do have their own sponsors.

It might also be the local affiliate. Clear Channel AM stations seem to have this problem, since I imagine the local sales reps don't know how to sell it. I noticed this on the Cincinnati affiliate. Many Clear Channel affiliates seem to be run on the cheap.

The music you hear is just filler music, to avoid dead air.

[dpbrown]

18. Where's Big Ed?

Just wondering.

[bdamomma]

21. big ed, does not belong to AAR

[NYCGirl]

23. He doesn't work for Air America. He's on Jones Network, but his show

is carried on some AAR stations.

[bdamomma]

22. when does this new schedule start?

[LTR]

25. September 18 (nt)

[RandiRhodesArchives]

28. Could Malloy be going to Sirius Left?!

Wow, and Young Turks going to AAR. Man, do they know what a fun ride they're in for!

[LTR]

31. Looks like it is confirmed

Radio and Records confirms it:

On September 18, The Young Turks -- Cenk Uygur, Ben Mankiewicz and Jill Pike -- will join the lineup at Air America Radio.

The "Turks," who were originally launched in 2002 on Sirius Satellite Radio, will air weekdays from 6-9 a.m. (ET) on the New York City-based liberal talk network. The show will also be video streamed via Limelight Networks at www.theyoungturks.com during those same hours.

The arrival of Uygyr, Mankiewicz and Pike will result in a substantial shuffle of AAR's current on air lineup, including a move of Jerry "Springer On The Radio" from the network to the company's Air America Syndication division.

Other hosts impacted by the changes include a move by Rachel Maddow to 6-8 p.m.; Sam Seder from nights to 9-noon; "Politically Direct" with David Bender moves from its weekend slot to 8-9 p.m.; and "EcoTalk" will air from 9-10 p.m. Peter Werbe will temporarily host 10 p.m.-midnight until a permanent host for that timeslot is named.


AllAccess (a radio industry site) also has it (free subscription required):

The new lineup at AIR AMERICA RADIO has been sent to affiliates, and it includes the long-rumored addition of SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO and syndicated talkers "THE YOUNG TURKS"- CENK UYGUR, BEN MANKIEWICZ, and JILL PIKE- for 6-9a ET, replacing the current two-part morning show with MARK RILEY and RACHEL MADDOW.

RILEY will continue to do 5-6a and MADDOW moves to 6-8p as previously tipped on ALL ACCESS, while SAM SEDER moves into the 9a-Noon slot presently occupied by JERRY SPRINGER's CLEAR CHANNEL show. 8-9p will include a weekday version of the AAR weekend show "POLITICALLY DIRECT WITH DAVID BENDER," 9-10p will air a weekday version of the weekend "ECOTALK WITH BETSY ROSENBERG," and 10p-Midnight remains open in the wake of MIKE MALLOY's recent firing, with PETER WERBE continuing to fill in. AL FRANKEN remains in the Noon-3p slot and RANDI RHODES, as previously announced, is cutting back an hour to 3-6p.

And AAR will be paying for a few fewer hours of clearance on CLEAR CHANNEL Talk KTLK-A/LOS ANGELES, which will carry MADDOW 6-8p but is dropping the 8-10p hours from AAR presently occupied by SEDER and has picked up WOR RADIO NETWORK's LIONEL for 10p, moving local host CARY HARRISON to 8-10p.

[Rosco T.]

43. I WANT LIONEL! He's on at the same time Mike was...

.. he's like a little devil sitting on the shoulders of people urging them on.. I LOVE it when he gets a wingnut and then let's them brag while carrying on a commentary on the idiot (that the idiot can't hear).. kinda like MST3K..

if you've never heard him, check http://wor710.com/pages/46363.php for podcasts..

(the "I WANT LIONEL" assumes that Mike dosen't make it back, which I also hope for...)

[GreenPartyVoter]

33. I love Peter Werbe. Why can't they keep him on some way?

[Rosco T.]

46. if all else failed, I would like to see a 'rotating host' here...

Monday - Jon Elliot
Tuesday - Peter Werbe
Wed - Peter C. Collins
Thru - Dr Mike Newcomb
Fri - ???

use the tallent at the local AAR stations and expose them to the nation.

[clbuck]

35. Kicked, and recommended!

[dr.rock]

36. Bring Back Malloy!

I too was suprised more websites didn't give a shout out of support
for Mike Malloy when he got booted from AAR.

Mike supported many of them on the air with repeated mentions,
but here's one you may not have read from our pals over at

Information Clearing House ....(a top notch site!)

snippet-

"He was the closest thing to the Truth on the air and we all know that’s exactly why you fired him. Get Him Back. If it costs you twice as much, Get Him Back. Make HIM the Center Piece of the station and let him speak the Truth so Very Many of Us Already Know. Take Half of the resources you waste on Jerry and Al and give that to Mike. Let him Speak Our Way To Freedom and have No Fear… Courage is the Only Way Out. It’s time for YOU to demonstrate some… "


http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article14878.htm

[Edgewater_Joe]

37. Great Lineup Until 8-10

Bender isn't that good, I don't know who the other woman is, I would've liked Laura Flanders to go weeknights -- ideally, Werbe gets 8-10 and Malloy 10-midnight, or even Maron.

And I wonder what Sirius does without The Young Turks.

(I also hope, although I bet it's a pipe dream, that Chicago's WCPT dumps Springer for Seder ... glad I've got XM!)

[Rosco T.]

44. I've heard a rumor (from a decent source) about what's up with Sirius Left

.. but it's not firm enough to talk about. But I will say, Sirius subs here WON'T like it at all if true.

[RandiRhodesArchives]

58. No body likes a tease

Com'on, no secrets now, share it with the class!

[Radio_Lady]

38. KPOJ in Portland isn't listing any changes. But then, who knows?

Perhaps their webmaster hasn't gotten around to it.

Ed Schultz (12-3) would conflict with Al Franken (12-3)
Thom Hartmann (9 - 12) would conflict with Sam Seder (9 - 12)

We'll have to see how it all gets ironed out...

Thanks for the post.

[oregonjen]

48. I believe those are eastern times listed Radio Lady

Al will still be 9-12pm if that's the case. I've emailed KPOJ and asked them to drop Ed Schultz and add Seder. I got a reply within a couple of hours stating that they will keep all requests in mind.

[bunny planet]

40. I love the Young Turks, glad to get rid of Springer

however, still completely upset about the loss of Mike Malloy from 10 to midnight. More than ever, I need Mike's rant at the end of the day.
Otherwise, seems pretty good, Don't like one less hour of Randy either because I'm addicted to her but I can live with it.

My problem is that here in the NYC market, the evening shows will not come through on my radio without tons of static. Daytime shows like Randi and Al have a great signal. I'm forced to turn the radio off at 7 and listen on the computer to hear anything Sam Seder says. This wasn't the case on their old NYC station, only since they moved.

Thanks for posting this.

[FogerRox]

53. yes good point

1190 came in good all the time, here in NJ. I went to visit my mom in Northern Conn. and sTILL got WLIB. But 1600 gets squirelly after 7pm, YOu are absolutley right.

[Nutmegger]

41. Wish the late night show wouldn't be cut back an hour

I only get a chance to listen to Randi and on from there. So it sucks to see Sam gone (but glad he's still on the network) and of course MM.

[IronLionZion]

45. I enjoy waking up to Rachel Maddow's distinctive voice

Guess I'll have to get used to the young turks. They have a good show, I just don't know if I want to wake up to it.

[Rosco T.]

47. Can I make a comment about waking up with Jill???

ok.. I guess not :D

[IronLionZion]

54. I was going to say lesbian but I thought the PC police would get me

so I used distinctive. But I enjoy hearing her voice first thing in the morning.

Don't miss the morning show with Jill and Rosy Palm. :evilgrin:

[bliss_eternal]

50. kick...

:kick:

[B Calm]

51. I haven't listen to AAR since they fired Malloy!

[Rosco T.]

57. great way to punish Randi, Sam, Rachel, et. al.

[B Calm]

59. whatever...it takes

[mvd]

52. I don't know how many agree, but..

I like what I've heard of Jon Elliott at 10PM. He's a quick but effective talker IMO. Nothing will be a subtitute for Malloy (we need him before the election,) but Jon's better than Peter Werbe IMO.

[tavalon]

55. Rachel Maddow is really good so it's good to have her in a prime time slot

However, that's about all the good I can say about it. I'm glad Randi is still there.