Rachel Maddow, Sam Seder, Jerry Springer

NOW WHAT?

Yet Another New Air America Schedule?





As we've said previously, it truly takes a scorecard to keep up with Air America Radio's constant, behind- the- scenes schedule shuffling. But the cake- topper emerged today, with a New York Daily News story by David Hinckley, who has been a consistent libtalk apologist / cheerleader.

If his details are correct, the report conflicts even with some of the network's official statements:

The progressive network Air America tonight scoops up the slings and arrows it aims at President Bush and moves them to its new home a few blocks downtown.

Starting tomorrow, Air America will be heard on WWRL (1600 AM), ending a 29-month run at WLIB (1190 AM).

WLIB was the network's original flagship station when it launched on March 31, 2004, but the two parties could not work out a new agreement to continue.

Not all Air America programming will be picked up on WLIB, which will retain its own morning show, from 5-9, with Sam Greenfield and Armstrong Williams.

Air America picks up with Jerry Springer, 9 a.m.-noon; Al Franken, noon-3 p.m.; Randi Rhodes, 3-7 p.m.; Sam Seder, 7-10 p.m., and Mike Malloy, 10 p.m.-midnight.

Air America also has several weekend shows that may be carried on WWRL.

The move to WWRL will reduce Air America's coverage in some parts of the metropolitan area, since WWRL's signal isn't quite as strong as WLIB's and there are areas where it is hard to pick up.

Questions continue to circulate about the financial health of the network, which has experienced cash crises and relatively high turnover of executives.

The company has consistently said it is here to stay. Part or all of its programming is heard on about 90 stations and is available on satellite and the Internet.

Its ratings in most cities are modest, partly due to the fact it is often heard on smaller AM stations, rather than the giants that carry the Rush Limbaugh-level commentators.

Could Hinckley's information possibly be correct, given that:


Sam Seder has already announced on the air and at his website that he has an agreement to take over Jerry Springer's 9am-noon timeslot. It was also confirmed by the Boston Globe. Is the deal off?


While Franken is expected to remain from noon- 3pm, Randi Rhodes has had her show cut by an hour, now extending to six, rather than 7pm.


In addition, the network had already indicated that Rachel Maddow's new show would run from 6-8pm. Has that changed?


Finally, even Mike Malloy himself has confirmed that he's been fired by Air America. Has that been undone?


So, what gives? Does Hinckley know something that we don't?


Thanks for your continued and vital Radio Equalizer support, via Amazon orders that begin with clicks here, regardless of what you ultimately order!

Down The Drain: David A Lunde