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 expressed goal of the network is to serve as a liberal talk radio alternative to what they believe and argue is an industry that is monopolized by right wing viewpoints. 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 CEO 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 Park Avenue offices, station, and equipment of WLIB, a station which used to focus on the African-American community. Air America's other stations also previously focused on the African-American, Hispanic, or Asian communities.
Two weeks after debuting, Air America Radio was pulled off the air in Chicago and Santa Monica, California (near Los Angeles), their second and third largest markets, respectively. This is due to a contract dispute between Air America and the station's owner, Multicultural Radio Broadcasting. Air America alleges evidence that Multicultural Radio may have sold time on their Los Angeles station to them and another party, and stopped payment on checks to them while they investigated. Multicultural Radio alleges that Air America bounced a check and is owing $1 million dollars, and in response, removed programming from both stations leased by Air America Radio, replacing it with Spanish language programming. Air America Radio filed a complaint in New York State Supreme Court charging breach of contract and seeking an injunction to restore the network in Chicago.
Programming
Weekdays (all times are local):
- 6a-9a: Morning Sedition with Marc Maron, Sue Ellicott, and Mark Riley
- 9a-12p: Unfiltered with Lizz Winstead, Chuck D, and Rachel Maddow
- 12p-3p: The O'Franken Factor with Al Franken and Katherine Lanpher
- 3p-7p: The Randi Rhodes Show with Randi Rhodes
- 7p-8p: So What Else is News? with Marty Kaplan
- 8p-11p: The Majority Report with Janeane Garofalo and Sam Seder
- 11p-2a: The O'Franken Factor (repeat)
- 2a-6a: The Randi Rhodes Show (repeat)
A news summary is provided at the top of every hour.
Weekends:
- Ring of Fire with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Mike Papatanio
- The Laura Flanders Show with Laura Flanders
- Best-of Air America Radio
- Best-of-O’Franken Factor
Stations
Stations owned or leased by Progress Media's Equal Time Media subsidiary:
- Internet streaming
- WLIB 1190 AM in New York
- KBLA 1580 AM in Santa Monica, California (near Los Angeles)
- WNTD 950 AM in Chicago
- KSQR 1240 AM in Sacramento, California (?)
- WTWK 1070 AM in Plattsburgh, New York and Burlington, Vermont
- WKIZ 1500 AM in Key West, Florida
- KVTO 1400 AM in San Francisco
- KVVN 1430 AM in San Jose, California
Clear Channel Communications affiliates showing most programming:
- KPOJ 620 AM in Portland, the first affiliate
- America Left, XM Satellite Radio channel 167
These affiliates also broadcast The Ed Schultz Show and Alan Colmes's show.
Stations syndicating some programming:
- KCAA 1050 AM in the Southern Californian Inland Empire
- WMNN 1330 AM in Minneapolis
- WMTW 870 AM in Portland, Maine
- KBZC 1300 AM in Colorado Springs, Colorado
- WJNO 1290 AM in West Palm Beach, Florida
Stations coming soon:
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
- Legal document about dispute with Multicultural Radio Broadcasting
- Archived Radio shows in Ogg Vorbis audio format.
- Air America Place audio archive in MP3 format