NEWS JUNKIE POST
Jan 21, 2010 at 4:36 pmMedia: Air America Pulls the Plug
If he could, Rush Limbaugh would be doing handsprings. First the Republicans scored a victory in true Blue Massachusetts on Tuesday and now Air America has pulled the plug. The progressive radio network has ceased all live programming as of Thursday, January 21 at 6 PM EST, after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Air America, launched in 2004 as an alternative to successful syndicated talkers like Limbaugh, Michael Savage and Glenn Beck, went on the air with fresh voices including Al Franken, Janeane Garafalo and then unknown Rachel Maddow, has always had a rocky financial track record. Back in 2006 the network filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.Once heard on over 100 stations across the country, the network was sold to a new group of investors in 2007 for 4.25 million.
Media–and radio in particular– has taken a big hit in the recent economic downturn, with many stations and networks going into bankruptcy, going dark or at best shedding staff like a house filled with Persian cats.
Here’s an excerpt from the statement posted on the Air America website Thursday afternoon:
“The very difficult economic environment has had a significant impact on Air America’s business. This past year has seen a “perfect storm” in the media industry generally. National and local advertising revenues have fallen drastically, causing many media companies nationwide to fold or seek bankruptcy protection. From large to small, recent bankruptcies like Citadel Broadcasting and closures like that of the industry’s long-time trade publication Radio and Records have signaled that these are very difficult and rapidly changing times. Those companies that remain are facing audience fragmentation as a result of new media technologies, are often saddled with crushing debt, and have generally found it difficult to obtain operating or investment capital from traditional sources of funding. In this climate, our painstaking search for new investors has come close several times right up into this week, but ultimately fell short of success.”
“With radio industry ad revenues down for 10 consecutive quarters, and reportedly off 21% in 2009, signs of improvement have consisted of hoping things will be less bad. And though Internet/new media revenues are projected to grow, our expanding online efforts face the same monetization and profitability challenges in the short term confronting the Web operations of most media companies.”
Recently, Air America had added prominent voices like Montel Williams, Lionel, Ron Reagan and Robert Kennedy, Jr. to its line-up of sharp, stimulating alternative talk. But even with the heavyweight talent, Air America –and progressive radio in general–never quite garnered as big an audience as the conservative wave that has steadily grown over the last two decades. Liberal voices seem to hold greater sway in the blogosphere and on cable TV, where people like Maddow and Keith Olbermann have carved out influential niches.
Still, Air America did its part in the progressive movement, standing bravely as one of the few places to hear dissenting voices during the early years of the Bush administration. As the official Air America statement says:
“At a critical time in our nation’s history — when dissent on issues such as the Iraq war were often denounced as “un-American” — Air America and its talented team helped millions of Americans remember the importance of compelling discussion about the most pivotal events and decisions of our generation. Through some 100 radio outlets nationwide, Air America helped build a new sense of purpose and determination among American progressives. With this revival, the progressive movement made major gains in the 2006 mid-term elections and, more recently, in the election of President Barack Obama and a strongly Democratic Congress.”
Air America will offer affiliates and listeners a selection of “encore programming” through 9pm EST Monday, January 25.
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Air America was still around?!?? Gee……..who knew.
Take a hint, your ideas don’t sell ads. Love the economy complaint, blame others for your own dumb ideas.
Air America’s press release is typical liberal whining.
C’mon libs control the WH, Senate, House and all of the t.v. networks except for Fox News. They couldn’t get and audience for Air America?
Let’s face facts, Air America is going off the air because it was horrible!
What a shame to lose Air America! Hopefully at some time in the future it will return.! It was always refreshing to have alternative voices other than Limbaugh, Beck and Savage. They certainly are enjoying this week, but fellows don’t get too enthusiastic – Air America or something like it WILL RETURN!