Air America (radio network)
Air America Radio (not to be confused with Air America) is a progressive radio network that began broadcasting on March 31, 2004. The network includes several radio stations over which it has full programming control, as well as some which syndicate its programming.
It was formerly known as Central Air and is part of Progress Media. Progress Media has amassed tens of millions of dollars prior to first broadcasting, according to chief executive Mark Walsh. As a start-up organization, the network is expected to lose money for the first few years of its operation.
The stations headquarters are in New York, using the offices, station, and equipment of WLIB, previously an inner city/[[African-American|black] radio station.
Programming
Weekdays (all times are Eastern Standard Time Zone):
- 6a-9a: Morning Sedition with Marc Maron, Sue Ellicott, and Mark Riley
- 9a-12p: Unfiltered with Lizz Winstead, Chuck D, and Rachel Maddow
- 12-3p: The O'Franken Factor with Al Franken and Katherine Lanpher
- 3-7p: The Randi Rhodes Show with Randi Rhodes
- 7-8p: So What Else is News? with Marty Kaplan
- 8-11p: The Majority Report with Janeane Garofalo and Sam Seder
A news summary is provided at the top of every hour.
Weekends:
- Champions of Justice with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Mike Papatanio
- Best-of Air America Radio
- Best-of-O’Franken Factor
Stations
Stations owned or leased by Equal Time Media (also part of Progress Media) and air all programming:
- WLIB 1190 AM in New York
- KBLA 1580 AM in Los Angeles
- WNTD 950 AM in Chicago
The programming is streamed on the Internet.
As of March 2004, the network has announced a station-to-be-named in San Francisco and is reportedly in discussions to purchase a station in Boston.
Clear Channel affiliates showing most programming:
- KPOJ 620 AM in Portland, the first affiliate
- America Left, XM Satellite Radio channel 167
Stations syndicating some programming:
- KCAA 1050 AM in the Southern Californian Inland Empire
- WMNN 1330 AM in Minneapolis
Promos
According to their promos, Air America Radio is further to the left than: Betty Crocker, the House Un-American Activities Committee, the NRA, the John Birch Society.
External links and references
- Official site
- NYT: Al Franken, Seriously
- Liberal radio set for launch at month's end accessed March 12, 2004.