Air America Nears Sale to Group Led by the French Family

[question everything]

The Wall Street Journal

Air America Nears Sale to Group Led by the French Family
By SARAH MCBRIDE
January 22, 2007; Page B4

Air America radio's parent company may have found a new rescuer: the French family of Westchester County, N.Y., which owns New York City-area television concern WRNN.

A consortium of investors led by the French family is on the verge of signing a deal to purchase the assets of Piquant LLC, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York in October, according to people familiar with the situation. An agreement could be announced as early as today, these people said. Any agreement would need to be approved by the bankruptcy court. If the deal doesn't go through, it increases the likelihood that Piquant could face imminent liquidation.

If the acquisition does go through, it could lead to several programming changes at the liberal talk-radio network. Richard French, son of WRNN owner Dick French, will likely get his own show in prime time on Air America. Richard French, formerly a New York State Democratic Party official, already has a nightly show on WRNN, "Richard French Live," where he has hosted guests including Sen. Hillary Clinton (D., N.Y.). Richard French couldn't be reached to comment. Currently Air America runs a political show hosted by David Bender at 8 p.m. EST and an environmental show hosted by Betsy Rosenberg at 9 p.m.

Air America's most famous host, Al Franken, could soon leave if he decides to run for a U.S. Senate seat from Minnesota, a move he is now evaluating. A spokesman for Mr. Franken referred questions to Air America, which through a spokeswoman said it had no announcements on the status of Mr. Franken's show. But a popular former morning host on the network, Mark Maron of "Morning Sedition," could soon return to Air America. Mr. Maron says Air America executives have been in touch with him to discuss a possible show, pending the signed deal with the Frenches.

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URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116942647872883236.html

[Armstead]

1. RNN of Infomercial fame?

Two hours of public affairs and 22 hours of infomercials for stool softners, Time Life records and investment scams of dubious merit. That's what RNN broadcasts.

Oh well.

[PSPS]

2. I miss the old Morning Sedition

[skiddlybop]

5. I miss Morning Sedition too

and the first thing the Frenches have to do is FIRE Armstrong Williams, the Republican paid shill who believe it or not has the morning show on WWRL, the AAR "flagship" station. It's a disgrace that he's so rich from taking under-the-table money from corporate Republicans and drawing much needed money from Air America.

[GreenTea]

3. Perhaps, they see the absolute value and profit of liberal radio...

Its certainly not recognized here....

Everyday AAR is on the air is a painful thorn in the republicans side....they were hoping for a much quicker demise.

Now, the gates are open with Nova M, Schultz, Jones, AAR, Satellite (XM & Sirius Left) and other independents, (Peter B Collins) on & on....

The cat is out of the bag!!

Up next.... the excellent Bernie Ward - KGO

[dweller]

4. oh goody, can we refer to it as 'freedom radio' soon?

i mean, just following up with the 'freedom fries' thing.


bring back Mike Malloy while you (they) are at it.

dp

[salin]

6. *chuckle*

would bet that reflexively some freeps will initially think of that per the "French Family" - til they realize that they would have to refer to liberal radio as 'freedom radio'.

[KharmaTrain]

7. I Hope He Is Made Of Money

Its good to see someone stepping up to try to save AAR, but its gonna take a lot of real hard work just keeping the place running with no assurance it will turn around. I give Mr. French a lot of credit for guts on this one...and hope he has very, very deep pockets.

While he's got the TV station, he doesn't own any radio properties...so he brings only cash to the table. Hopefully he realizes radio isn't operated the same way TV is...and that he has or hires real radio people who know how to program, promote and expand the network.

What needs work is the network's infrastucture...more and better affiliates. All the programming in the world isn't going to do any good if no one can hear it...or knows about it. I'm in the Chicago area and after sunset there's no AAR affiliate I can hear...and this is better than other nearby markets like Milwaukee and Indianapolis who don't even have a daytime AAR affiliate. As one who worked with syndication and station relations, this is where a network wins or loses...get on the right stations and the ratings will show and then comes the money to run the network and pay the comedians.