(cross posted at DKos when it comes back online)
If things are not already bad enough in the media, I stumble across this posted at ThinkProgress.org:
Air America Radio will announce a major restructuring on Friday, which is expected to include a bankruptcy filing, three independent sources have told ThinkProgress.
Air America could remain on the air under the deal, but significant personnel changes are already in the works. Sources say five Air America employees were laid off yesterday and were told there would be no severance without capital infusion or bankruptcy. Also, Air America has ended its relationship with host Jerry Springer.
More…
Air America is a must listen to radio station, it is the ONLY progressive voice out there in a sea of right wing commentary, and I can’t express how disturbing this new development is to the voice of reason in the upcoming elections.
Why are they filing bankruptcy now? Two months before the elections? Is this yet another way we lose our voice in the main stream media? Can’t help but think about the ABC mini-series….that program was aired, with the errors, and now Air America my bite the dust.
Not good, not good at all…..
it’s going off the air — as a former accounts receivable person, I’ve got some experience with the subject.
There are two kinds of bankruptcy — dissolution (which I think is Chapter 7 for individuals, Chapter 9 for corporations) and reorganization (Chapter 11 for individuals, Chapter 13 for corporations). Most likely, they’re going the Chapter 13 route, which basically keeps the creditors off their case while they get their shit together (finding more well-heeled liberal investors, most likely).
Not surprised that Springer was cut loose — he was the weakest part of the lineup. Many local stations (ours included) would either carry some sort of local programming or picked up another progressive show like Stephanie Miller’s. At least he’s now got plenty of time to work on his dancing. lol
What’s worse is that this now gives Bill O’Reilly something to crow about: “See, I told all of you that Air America would fail! No one wants to listen to whiny liberals…they’d rather listen to whiny conservatives like ME!!!”
We’re fortunate in the Bay Area to at least have a few strong liberal voices: we have KPFA over in Berkeley, and on KGO we have Bernie Ward and Ray Taliaferro weeknights (albeit in the middle of the night), and Karel on the weekends. My fear is for the rest of the country that aren’t as lucky…
or is it “Fools seldom differ”? I forget. LOL
There are enough liberal voices out there that a determined station could put together a package that includes Stephanie Miller, Thom Hartmann, Ed Schultz and maybe a local host or two and have a pretty good progressive lineup. I just hope that if AAR does go belly up, Randy Rhodes and Al Franken find a place to land.
(I think this also explains why Mike Malloy might have been let go. I doubt there was any malice in it — it was just a matter of money.)
You’re right, this is not good at all, but two points.
First, I don’t think there’s anything particularly sinister in the timing (e.g. some shadowy Them forcing AAR off the air). If you don’t have the money to operate, two months can be a lifetime.
Second, “bankruptcy” does not necessarily mean “out of business.” They may be able to restructure and stay on the air while putting together a plan to pay back their creditors. At least I certainly hope that’s the case. We need more progressive media in this country, not less.
It is very frustrating because we do know that given the right management progressive radio can do well, both in ratings and profits.
No, this doesn’t mean they are going off the air, but it does mean that we may well lose our only outlet if they can’t get their act together.
Think Progress amended their post with information from AAR stating that this is a rumor. Whatever.
I think the reason AAR is having financial trouble is the SHITTY marketing done by CLEAR CHANNEL to the AAR audience. There’s not a thing advertised on AAR that I’d ever purchase. Most of the advertising are get rich schemes for gullible people who’ve apparently kept their lives under tortoise shells their entire lives. Lousy CLEAR CHANNEL advertising.
My gxd! AAR should have advertisers like Whole Foods, Aubrey Organics cosmetics, Organic Valley Farms, American Apparel, and all the myriad products a progressive audience would be excited to purchase. Subaru and Volkswagen are about the only sensible advertisements besides the PSA’s.
Completely mismarketed audience. No wonder sponsors don’t want to put up ads, they are after the wrong market. AAR listeners aren’t dumbass naive fearful couples from Uneducatedville, USA.
Gosh I wish Danny Goldberg could read my rant, but he’s made the deal with the devil CLEAR CHANNEL and he’s accepted their advertisements.
Plus, progressives are really burnt out since we’re on the bottom of the income scale, and don’t have the massive funding and monetary security that the Right and the Neocons and the Corporatists have secured for themselves (by hook or by crook . . .) so it gets tiring to always hear the daily outrage and being asked time and again to help out, help out, help out when we’re struggling to keep our bills paid and not go insane with stresses. No wonder blogging hits are down all around the blogosphere . . . No different for AAR.