The Radio Equalizer: Brian Maloney

18 August 2005

Inside Air America: An Investigative Blog Report

Inside Air America

An Investigative Blog Report



BY BRIAN MALONEY AND MICHELLE MALKIN



Part Two: Beyond Evan- More Shell Games?



On July 21, 2005, a standing room-only crowd of Democrats filled a Highland Park, Illinois, public library conference room to hear two local businesspeople talk about their company and its future plans.

The attraction? These weren't your everyday corporate suits: it featured Sheldon and Anita Drobny, who last year put Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo on their upstart liberal Air America talk radio network. Hearing about their "success" was surely appealing.

To Democrat activists, these were bona fide celebrities. Sheldon, a Venture Capitalist, CPA and former IRS agent, spoke first, according to the 10th District Democrats Newsletter:

Yes, please note (in the quote to the left) that he did say, "if you tell a lie often enough, people will believe it".

Was the audience listening to someone who truly practices what he preaches?

That's because the newsletter also reveals:

Even if Drobny meant to say Air America had the most popular talk radio station in San Diego, wouldn't it also fall into the "lies repeated often enough" category?

San Diego's KLSD-AM currently ranks 22nd overall and is the fourth most popular talk station in the overall market, according to Radio & Records.

Even KFI-AM, a distant signal from Los Angeles, got higher San Diego ratings than the Air America station.

Uttered in a highly supportive environment, there was no chance Democrats in attendance would challenge Drobny's statement, even if they knew it was wrong.

That appears to be modus operandi for the Drobnys, well-versed in playing to friendly political crowds. While this pattern of behavior may have previously worked well, what happens when outside scrutiny is finally applied?

We may soon find out.

For nearly three weeks, Air America Radio has worked feverishly to convince the public a former executive is entirely responsible for the messy scandal that now threatens the liberal talk network's future.

That's where $875,000 in taxpayer money, meant for community programs run by the Bronx-based Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club, instead apparently ended up funding Air America's cash-thirsty operations.

Michelle Malkin.com and The Radio Equalizer-Brian Maloney have uncovered a pattern of dubious behavior, however, that extends across Air America Radio's various public hiccups, blunders and scandals.

Is former head Evan Montvel-Cohen really the whole picture of Air America's questionable business practices?

Because Cohen's certainly no angel, he's a perfect scapegoat for past transgressions, while Air America today continues the same dodgy behavior. While actions opponents call "shell games" appear to continue, Cohen himself is nowhere to be found.

From Anshell to Progress Media and Piquant LLC, the Drobnys seem to be no strangers to shifting assets and allegedly walking away from large debts, when needed (See Part One of this series, featured on Michelle Malkin's site, for more on creditor Multicultural Radio Broadcasting's accusations of "sham transactions" and "fraudulent conveyances").

Even as we speak, what appears to be a new shell may be in the works. How do we know?

It comes right back to the same Highland Park library speech, where the Drobnys revealed previously secret plans to form yet another new company.

Sheldon's wife Anita took to the podium to spill the beans about Nova M Radio.

Disclosing Air America's future plans to a room full of rabid supporters might seem smart, especially if it brings potential investors to what inside sources say is an effort to raise $5 million to fund the new company.

Was such a public disclosure legal, however? Since Nova M Radio's offering is set up as a private placement, there have been no indicated or available US Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Could the speech be considered an indirect attempt to solicit investors, in a way that would trigger required SEC disclosures?

Like the confusing web of firms they've previously created, Nova M Radio will be intertwined with Air America Radio itself, while being charged with the purchase of stations in rural markets to provide remote venues for its programming.

One broadcast executive, familiar with radio's challenges under even the best of circumstances, had this to say: "(It) just sounds like a transfer of money rather than a radio strategy. Anyone with five million dollars behind them could purchase stations or air time and do horse racing on the air, if they wanted to."

Referring only to the difficulties of making money in rural radio, the executive is explaining that creating successful operations in such places is exceptionally tricky, even for local, well-seasoned owners. While buying stations or leasing time is easy, small markets remain broadcasting's most challenging setting for making a profit, regardless of the radio format.

Do you have a plan, based on experience in the field, that can overcome these high hurdles?

Why another new company, however, rather than simply raising additional funds through Air America Radio's current parent, Piquant LLC?

That's where the biggest potential questions are raised.

Some insiders and industry observers believe Air America may be having serious difficulties raising money, after a well-publicized pattern of burning through cash, combined with spotty ratings and revenue performance.

Otherwise, what reason would there be to create a new firm? Couldn't additional investors or board members join Piquant LLC to fund the station purchase plan?


Could Nova M Radio also function as the next potential "sham transaction" vehicle, once Piquant is completely broke (which it seems close to now)?

Or, could it ultimately purchase Piquant for pennies on the dollar, while cutting away the latter's unfortunate creditors?

Even if the business plan really is about buying rural stations for Air America's programming, is it viable? Who would invest in such an operation?

Some of Sheldon Drobny's philosophy is laid out here:

As the co-founder of Air America Radio (AAR), I have learned a lot about broadcast media and the decline in markets and advertising caused by management that does not have a vision for growing markets.

One of the major issues we had when we started AAR was the lack of available radio stations that understood that the best and most loyal audience for advertisers is educated progressive people. These people used to be called YUPPIES, but there is a growing trend in America that TV and radio broadcasters are missing.

This educated and mostly secular audience buy a lot of stuff we call adult toys. They are the best audiences for advertisers.


Can a plan to spend $5 million on small-market radio stations really work, considering Air America is an even harder sell in small, conservative towns than New York City, where the format is already struggling?

If adequate revenues aren't materializing in big cities, or the national level, what would make mom-and-pop merchants advertise on an unproven format that bucks local political sentiment? Is there any remote chance of realizing a profit on this venture?

It doesn't appear the Drobnys, or others said to be a part of Nova M Radio, have any experience running small market radio stations, where long-established community relationships can be key to success. National advertising dollars rarely reach these areas, if ever.

It's exactly why major broadcast firms have generally stayed away from these areas, leaving it to small, local operators.

Rather than seasoned radio station management professionals, why, as confidential sources inform us, does the Nova M board reportedly feature three "progressive" talk show hosts?

And, given Progress/Piquant's consistently clumsy public face and internal disorganization, why would Nova M Radio be any different?

Attempts to reach Mr. Drobny via email and Air America via phone were not immediately successful.

A bigger, unexplored question, is whether Sheldon and Anita Drobny have any business raising additional capital for acquisitions, if they can't immediately afford to repay the Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club in full for the $875,000 in diverted taxpayer funds it "borrowed" last year?

And, why won't they repay Multicultural Broadcasting $255,518 in damages awarded in last November's default judgment? Why is Multicultural forced to press Piquant/Progress/Air America to collect their money?

Is Nova M Radio simply a clever way to elude these sticky issues?

Is "when the going gets tough, invent a new shell company," Air America's motto? And why shouldn't they?

After all, they face little criticism.

As self-interested liberals such as Bill Press and Al Franken rush to defend Air America's operation, shouldn't they bone up on exactly who they're backing up in public?

It would seem good advice for the credibility-minded liberal celeb, since blaming it all on Mr. Cohen just doesn't hold water, when one considers the truth behind the spin.


AAR/Scandal graphic by Darleen Click, others from 10th District Democrats newsletter. Frankenfood by Pete at IHillary.

Your Amazon orders, which originate from clicks here, help to support my site upgrade expenses. Thanks!


44 Comments:

  • Whoa, AAR is toast!! Good work exposing these crooks!!

    By Blogger Lidsville, at 18 August, 2005 14:33  

  • Anyone know the status of this lawsuit:

    Ex-Host Winstead Sues Air America
    May 24, 2005
    By Ken Tucker

    Former Air America Radio morning show host Lizz Winstead is suing the network, claiming she was fired, then stiffed out of nearly $300,000, according to a report in the New York Post.

    Winstead claims that she’s owed $200,000 of her $250,00 annual salary, plus $83,333 in severance pay, $14,423.08 in unused vacation time and $5,960.55 that she says the network pocketed from her on-air ads for the Vermont Teddy Bear Company.

    Winstead was fired by Air America on March 4. The show she co-hosted with Rachel Maddow and Chuck D, “Unfiltered,” remained on-air until March 31. At that point, Jerry Springer’s show took over the time slot.

    Asked for comment, a spokeswoman for Air America told BillboardRadioMonitor.com, “We do not comment on rumors of litigation or litigation."

    Maddow now does an early morning show for Air America, while Chuck D is set to host a weekend show for the network.

    By Blogger Lidsville, at 18 August, 2005 15:14  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger Rick, at 18 August, 2005 15:17  

  • Lidsville:

    We'll be addressing that soon.

    By Blogger Brian Maloney, at 18 August, 2005 15:31  

  • ummm... The SEC does require filings related to private placements (see regulation d, or rule 144a). Not to bother this blog with facts or anything...

    By Blogger Justin, at 18 August, 2005 15:48  

  • Great Justin, if so, then they're already violating the law.

    They seem to think they don't have to register anything with the SEC, it appears.

    By Blogger Brian Maloney, at 18 August, 2005 15:51  

  • Brian,

    Private placement filings don't always show up on the SEC website (only type not to do so). Only real way to get them is by sorting through stacks of paper docs at SEC headquarters in DC. Also, private placements are often intentionally kept "private," by using unrelated company names (this is common practice among venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, bankers, etc.).

    By Blogger Justin, at 18 August, 2005 16:11  

  • Hey, this sounds like Enron!

    Only, this time the comedians aren't telling the jokes, they are the jokes...


    ttyler5 Houston

    By Blogger ttyler5 Editor, at 18 August, 2005 18:13  

  • Hey Smaack, the dildos and the vibrators are hosting the shows!

    By Blogger ttyler5 Editor, at 18 August, 2005 18:15  

  • This is turning into a great series! Thanks to you and Michelle for going where no msm journalist has the balls to go!

    It really does look as if the Drobny's were playing the crowd for suckers. It is pretty clear that the Drobny's are old fashioned grifters, casting about for more funding for the black hole.

    By Blogger al fin, at 18 August, 2005 18:17  

  • Brian, have you at all read Sheldon Drobny's book called,
    "Road To Air America: Breaking The Right Wing Stranglehold On Our Nation's Airwaves" that was published in December of 2003?

    Check out the interesting comments by readers in Amazon. I wonder if Randi Rhodes would be a part of the Nova M as part of the continuing shell game to throw some people off. Even one reader of Drobny's book commented that Rhodes is the true star of Air America. Ouch!

    http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2005/08/when-randi-rhodes-is-actually-star-of.html

    By Blogger Mike, at 18 August, 2005 18:38  

  • Mick, no, "it appears" you have some kind of agenda.

    We did all the necessary research. We have the answers to the questions you've posed.

    I think I know what you're trying to provoke.

    By Blogger Brian Maloney, at 18 August, 2005 18:54  

  • Kind of ironic that the original name of the ownership entity was "AnShell Media", eh?

    By Blogger Pat, at 18 August, 2005 20:29  

  • A Polite Response to Mick

    You have missed the point--first off, the issues you cite (not "site") are all undergoing a high level of scrutiny. Tom Delay--say what you want about it, but Congress itself is on this one. But Air America? Nary a peep.
    Mick, the whole point is that NOBODY is covering this, and therefore the blogosphere will. And as the lead bloggers for this story, Michelle and Brian are doing a FANTASTIC job.
    Don't strain yourself looking for fair and balanced--this is a conservative blog. I'm fairly sure your own blog displays a slant--more power to you and your reader.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 18 August, 2005 20:57  

  • Well, Brian, they gave up the content spamming, and have hired Mikey to stand in!

    It's GOOGLE I'm beginning to wonder about - the current ads on your site are for Al Franken's books and Don't Blame Me, I Voted for Kerry!

    Et tu, Google?

    By Blogger Peter Porcupine, at 18 August, 2005 21:32  

  • I challenge ANYONE to Google each Air America Affliate and report back how many AAR affiliated stations carry the FULL Air America Lineup! That is, if the stations even has a website. While you're at it why don't you report AAR's Ratings as posted on http://www.radioandrecords.com/rrratings for each of those affliates! Then after that why don't you tell us exactly what city each of these affliates is actually in, many differ greatly from the location AAR lists on their website. Take their *Chicago* affliate WCPT 850 AM for instance, it's actually in Crystal Lake IL, population 38,000! I suppose this is what happens when you're force to pay stations to carry your content. You buy one in Crystal Lake and say it's in Chicago.

    By Blogger Lidsville, at 18 August, 2005 21:56  

  • Let me make it easy for you!

    Here is a link to AAR Affiliates:
    http://www.airamericaradio.com/stations

    Here is a link to Arbitron Ratings:
    http://www.radioandrecords.com/rrratings

    Here is a link to google the affliates:
    http://www.google.com

    After you search for the station go to the 'program guide' and take a look at how many Air America Hosts their are. You'll be surprised to find Jerry Springer is the ONLY AAR host on some stations!

    By Blogger Lidsville, at 18 August, 2005 22:08  

  • An investigative blog report that has 28 question marks contained throughout it's body...the idea is to answer questions , not to raise them.It appears to be shit stirring 101.

    By Blogger Swami-o, at 18 August, 2005 22:16  

  • SP, here are the facts:
    >AnShell (Drobny, other investors) created Air America.
    >Cohen and Sorenson bought into the operation, now called Progress. For whatever reason, Cohen was put in control.
    >Debuted; crashed and burned. Cohen and Sorenson were bought out and the ownership name became Piquant, but other than those two and a fellow named Mark Walsh, the original AnShell group remains the primary owners/investers.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 18 August, 2005 23:25  

  • Smaack said: Heh - AAR is the Monkees of radio.

    You don't know what high praise this is to people that follow the arc of music and media innovation.

    By Blogger @whut, at 19 August, 2005 00:08  

  • Hey SP,

    You may be right - this network is getting to some of us so-called 'sanctimonious' right-wingers. Despite the constant barrage of tasteless humor, epithets aimed at anyone slightly right of wacko left and the common usage of language that us 'sanctimonious' people wouldn't use in polite company - this station is and has been run by crooks. But where's the proof, you say. As this new scandal is still being investigated, all the facts aren't quite in - but I, for one, appreciate Brian and Michelle's job of doing the searching for answers that no one in the MSM seems willing to do.

    But there are a few other pieces of evidence to prove my statement above.

    How about the fact that Air America refuses to pay money it now owes to Multicultural Radio? If they are so awash in money, why haven't the paid that one? In the words of the judge (some right-wing nut job I'm sure - but available at http://decisions.courts.state.ny.us/fcas/fcas_docs/2004jun/30010583420043sciv.pdf):

    "When the $156,000 check from Air America for the March air time
    was retumed the following day on account of insufficient funds, Multicultural terminated the agreement and pulled Air America’s program from its Chicago station."

    Oh wait - I forgot - you moonbats buy the whole "It was a bank mistake" thing - but the judge addresses that as well:

    "In its motion
    papers, Air America notably failed to advise the court that its $156,000 check for March had bounced and that it had not yet paid for its air time in April although payment had been due almost three weeks earlier."

    AND

    "At Air America’s request, Multicultural thereafter gave it until April 24,2004 to make payment. Despite repeated representations by plaintiff‘s counsel that payment of this amount was imminent, no such payment was ever effectively made. When Air America finally deposited a check in Multicultural’s account, it was returned on April 29,2004 for insufficient funds. On April 30,2004, Air America agreed
    to immediately remove its programming from defendant’s Chicago station."

    So by now, they have bounced not one, but two checks - one as a secondary agreement to keep their filth on the air. I knew guys in college that did this, make an agreement with the electric company to keep their electricity on and then pay with a check - guaranteed to bounce so that it gave them a couple of more weeks to pay up. Pretty sleazy - and for this amount of money - it is also a felony.

    But hey - you say - that was a long time ago, they are now owned by a new company. True - but they are still refusing to pay and now:

    1) Franken has said he hasn't been paid in a long time - but I am sure he is just giving his paycheck to charity
    2) They have only made a $50,000 payment into escrow and have thus far refused to pay the full amount. But I am sure that is just because of the principal of the whole thing.
    3) Lizz Winstead (no right-wing nut job, for sure) says that Air America has stiffed her for hundreds of thousands of dollars - again, I am sure it is the principal - that is why they don't pay.
    4) It wasn't too long ago that payroll bounced - but as the execs said - it was the payroll company's fault. Yeah, right. If nothing else, they are really bad at chossing to do business with. Their bank and payroll companies are obviously full of idiots.

    But hey - you just keep drinking the punch, buddy. I'll keep reading the facts as this winds its way through the courts.

    -Reptevye-

    By Blogger Robert, at 19 August, 2005 00:22  

  • To Y.G. and Mick:

    First, the industry source has nothing against AAR, was simply asked whether such a rural station purchase plan would make sense for any company. I didn't indicate which firm was looking to do this.

    I've updated the story to make more clear what the industry source really means, because the previous version was confusing.

    As to my previous answer to Mick, I believe it was, the issue is one of legalities. We've made every effort to tell our story without crossing such boundaries. We have several lawyers assisting us.

    It's not a question of research, there's much more we'd tell, if we could.

    By Blogger Brian Maloney, at 19 August, 2005 00:50  

  • Wow, switching to registration mode for comments didn't even slow down the auto-spammers.

    By Blogger Brian Maloney, at 19 August, 2005 00:52  

  • SP, You're just too clueless to get a simple, basic fact: as long as they rely on continual infusions of new invester capitol, they are hosed. They cannot attract big buck national advertising, so they are piling up two bit stations to show they have "strength."

    They've been at it for over a year now, and their "growth" consists of Clear Channel flipping low watt, dead air stations over to "progressive talk," but not turning the entire broadcast day over to AAR programming, but picking and choosing what they will carry. Air Idiot's entire purpose was to be an assault on a company like Clear Channel who supposedly was keeping their brand of talk off the airwaves. Limbaugh cuts deals with Clear Channel stations; Air Idiot is told "our way or the highway."

    And the schmucks that are still in charge are the same schmucks who gave Cohen the keys to the safe, and in their most recent reorg put a pop music/record guy like Danny Goldberg in charge.

    It's a Ponzi scheme, except this time Ponzi's replaced with "Drobny."

    By Blogger Unknown, at 19 August, 2005 01:12  

  • SP? You say you run an ad agency?

    Cite one client you convinced to buy time on any AAR station within listening distance of your office.

    Y'know, that old "money where your mouth is" thing. Cite one client you were able to convince that the airtime would be worth their dime.

    PSAs don't count.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 19 August, 2005 01:26  

  • Nick: you are wrong. Premiere has a distribution deal with Limbaugh. They don't own him, they pay him for the bucks they make to distribute him.

    With his numbers, he could run out his contract and sign with anyone, or no one and do the distribution himself. It might piss Clear Channel off, but they'd go along.

    SP is an idiot getting his talking points off Air Idiot's website. FOX had all the weight and financial backing of NewsCorp, so they could afford to run in the red for a couple of years and it wasn't a blip on the balance sheet. Look at the NY Post. They are a moenyhole, but Murdoch doesn't give a rat's ass because he hauls in money hand over fist from other arms of his operation.

    Air Idiot doesn't have that option.

    SP: You say I'm wrong in stating that AAR's purpose for being was to comabat the VRWC keeping folks like them off the airwaves...what planet do you live on, kid? They said it in their announcement of intent! They were going to take Limbaugh, Hannity and Clear Channel out. They said they were going to buy their own stations and go toe-to-toe with those exact opponents.

    Oh, and the "musket ball" crap? Junior, I've been riding a modem probably longer than you've been alive. I cut my teeth running BBs systems and hacking AT&T. I'f I wanted to find you, you'd be found. And believe me, I wouldn't need Google. You might not know it, being a kid, but you leave a footprint anyone who knows how to look can see.

    More likely, you're just a poseur when it comes to the ad game, because if you knew a damn thing about the relation between ad rates and radio, you'd know AAR is a total dog. Take up Nick's challenge and compare the rate cards of any stations in the same market that feaure Air Idiot any whoever the hell else is on the local dial. The AAR channel will be bottom dwellers.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 19 August, 2005 02:59  

  • Take their *Chicago* affliate WCPT 850 AM for instance, it's actually in Crystal Lake IL, population 38,000! I suppose this is what happens when you're force to pay stations to carry your content. You buy one in Crystal Lake and say it's in Chicago.

    It's worse than that, since they power down at dusk. Their afternoon drive show's going to get the shaft in the winter when no one will hear them after about 4pm.

    By Blogger eLarson, at 19 August, 2005 09:07  

  • Most stations in rural areas are community stations, typically 1K-5K stations. Their focus is mostly local personalities, local politics and local issues.

    I grew up in rural radio, and most stations are not "community" - at least, not in the sense that it's understood in the radio business ("Community" means "Public", but not necessarily supported by or affiliated with NPR). They're mostly small, and these days usually get most of their programming from the satellite, perhaps with local morning and afternoon shows.

    But it's true - the idea that FrankenNet is going to break into small market radio is ludicrous. (Even Fast Eddie Schultz, who's on the Jones network and broadcasts from Fargo, is mostly a mid-to-large market player these days).

    As to "Mick" and his list of stations - you think that's a network?

    I've filled in for Hugh Hewitt and Dennis Prager over a dozen times - the Salem network (a small player in conservative talk circles) is on about 100 stations, and has a combined payroll less than that of Al Franken's show. Which business model is more likely to survive?

    And look at your list a little more closely - I have. Many of those stations are *tiny* players. Many only play a few AA shows. All of them - even the ones that AA claims are successful - have ratings from disappointing to awful. The only ones that have a chance are the ones that Clear Channel is using to present a combo sales opportunity.

    http://www.shotinthedark.info/archives/005396.html

    Rumors of FrankenNet's success in the market are greatly overstated, and that's leaving out all the criminal activity...

    By Blogger The Head of Alfredo Garcia, at 19 August, 2005 09:25  

  • And, that the network keeps adding stations. Which are generating revenue. Until you can prove they aren't, which you cannot, because they are, you must admit you are wrong.

    I can. Here in Baton Rouge, WYNK-AM has been an AAR affiliate for a month now. I've listed around 1 1/2 hours each day during drive time.

    Know how many local paid commercials I've heard in that entire span? 2, both from a plumber's union.

    If they're making money, then I'm Michael Jordan.

    By Blogger BF, at 19 August, 2005 10:06  

  • Also, let's take a closer look at SP's list of AAR affliates.

    Of the 70 stations (71 counting XM), 19 have either no web presence or no programming schedule on their website.

    2 more (KCAA in Riverside and KAOI in Hawaii) carry NO live AAR Programming.

    Franken's show is carried live on 86% of AAR's listed affiliates w/ online schedules. Do you know who has the 2nd highest live clearance?

    Ed Schultz, on 56% of stations. And he's not even an AAR show!

    Even Rush is on 10% of AAR affiliates and he's always live while AAR's programming is tape-delay.

    By Blogger BF, at 19 August, 2005 10:16  

  • How can anyone take you limp members seriously who refuse to provide a blogger profile? Talk about credibility gap?

    I cannot wait until the next installment. I will read the evidence and I will decide.

    By Blogger al fin, at 19 August, 2005 11:07  

  • Me: Even Rush is on 10% of AAR affiliates and he's always live while AAR's programming is tape-delay.

    DickTuck: That's because they want Randi Rhodes to have the afternoon drive spot in the west.

    El Wrongo, Mr. Tuck.

    Rush on AAR Affiliates:
    *****Cleveland (WTAM): Springer is the only AAR show carried on the station.
    *****Sarasota (WSRQ): ditto
    *****W. Palm Beach (WJNO): Rhode's old slot before she moved to AAR. And before you claim credit, "West Palm Beach" certainly isn't the "West" of which you spoke in your post.
    *****Maui (KAOI): Score one for Dick!
    *****Brainard, MN (WWWI): One Hour of AAR programming a day, from 1-2pm. Woo Hoo!

    Once again, Mr. Tuck has proven to be 80% wrong.

    By Blogger BF, at 19 August, 2005 12:05  

  • When your refutation deals with the fact that Rush is always live on AAR affliliates and you come back with "But Randi is tape delayed so she can be in drive time", pointing out the time she's on in LA, SD, SF, and Denver means jack squat, because those aren't dual Rush/AAR affiliates.

    The question is: Why does AAR list as it's affliates stations that carry Rush live and (more often than not) tape-delay AAR programming? You've yet to remotely answer it.

    By Blogger BF, at 19 August, 2005 13:44  

  • Hey Tuck? I can get my hands on pretty much any Arbitron breakdown vis-a-vis timeslot and demo nationwide, and nowhere except in the fever dreams of Air Idiot supporters does a 10AM-3PM slot ever come up, and even then the AAR team by and large gets smacked around.

    Here's a question, skippy: what happens in the time frames in front and behind that slot of yours? Morning and afternoon drive, the bread and butter radio slots. Where's the Idiot's numbers in the two most important positions in any stations rate card?

    The overwhelming majority of AAR "Affiliates" shun their morning programming for a local show.In the afternoon drive time, I'll bet there are no more than four stations out of the entire AAR affiliate list that put competetive numbers up in afternoon drive by featuring AAR programming.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 19 August, 2005 14:58  

  • A cook opens a cafe, but his food won't sell. So to sell more food, he buys more cafes. Does that make sense?

    Or a doctor can't get patients, so he buys more offices and equipment. Doesn't that sound dumb?

    Does something smell funny, or is it just my twisted conservative imagination.

    By Blogger SLH, at 19 August, 2005 15:02  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger raccoonradio, at 19 August, 2005 15:48  

  • yeah you're absolutely right about those Boston ratings.

    btw a post on radio-info.com says the "1200 switch" may be premature--supposedly a tech. glitch that put Spanish programming on one of the Boston AAR stations but I haven't tried to tune in yet so who knows. (For a couple hours it looked like they dumped AAR on WKOX and maybe they did... but the post said libtalk is back.)

    By Blogger raccoonradio, at 19 August, 2005 16:40  

  • To be fair, a Berkley group came out last week with a list of the most Liberal cities and Boston was only #24.

    However, a peek at the list shows us 5 of the top 6 (Detroit, Gary, Berkely, DC, Oakland, Inglewood) are overwhelmingly minority, and not exactly AAR's target audience.

    By Blogger BF, at 19 August, 2005 16:54  

  • Good work! Now if someone could google each of those AAR stations to see how many AAR show they actually carry, that would be cool!! Keep in mind Rush is just one guy, AAR is (albeit piss poor) a network of many talk hosts.

    By Blogger Lidsville, at 19 August, 2005 18:47  

  • the improper conduct stems from Evan Cohen who hasn't been with Air America in over a year.

    how does this make Al Franken look bad? Even Franken calls Cohen a crook.

    By Blogger El Bandini, at 19 August, 2005 23:20  

  • Again, it's not nearly the level of the fat drug addict. It is enough, however, to attract national advertisers like Ford, General Motors, Geico, Maytage and TD Waterhouse.

    They even get advertisements for Exxon/Mobil, notwithstanding how much the AAR hosts criticize big oil.

    Who's chopping onions?

    By Blogger @whut, at 19 August, 2005 23:27  

  • Robert, below's a link to another blog, one that in no way can be considered a "right wing hit squad" member that affirms that no one from Air Idiot made the list.

    right here

    So, if they acknowledge that Franken does not in fact have one million listeners, and took pains to defend the fact, doesn't that make your blind belief he does pull that many listeners mark you for a blind, fact-hating nincompoop?

    By Blogger Unknown, at 20 August, 2005 03:24  

  • That is why AAR continues to grow, and why ClearChannel is converting many of their smaller stations to progressive programming.

    You gave the game away in your own post.

    If it was doing so well, then ClearChannel would be converting many of their larger stations to AAR.

    Nice try, though...

    By Blogger BF, at 20 August, 2005 11:24  

  • Tom C

    your accusations may pass muster on a conservative website or on conservative radio but in the realm of facts and reporting that involves integrity and research none of what you have said concercning culpability on the part of Mr Franken or any other Air America host has been proven to be true or have any shred of truth to it.

    There is a reason this story has not been reported to your liking in the mainstream press. Your facts aren't facts. They are mere accusations that may get approval on conservative blogs, conservative message boards,talk radio, and fox news but when tested under the microscope of reporters with integrity they are exposed for what they are, as you have been.

    By Blogger El Bandini, at 20 August, 2005 18:37  

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