Air America Radio comes to the Monadnock Region!

About time! (4.00 / 2)

The Keene area votes very liberal, and the radio here - there is no local broadcast TV - has been extreme right wing since talk radio emerged.

It seems that the free market failed here, I'm not sure why. Glad to see it correcting itself.

---

by: elwood @ Tue Oct 14, 2008 at 05:54:42 AM CDT

Re: (4.00 / 3)

There are a lot of factors IMO. AAR crashed after takeoff in 2004. They were supposed to have enough money to last a while and then found out they only had enough money to last a couple weeks. Mark Green has turned things around as well as the new owners and things are getting under control.

One of the things I wish the Dems would invest in more is a media infrastructure. The number of right-leaning AM stations vs. liberal AM stations is just gigantic. Now we're beginning to figure out how critical a left/progressive-leaning media infrastructure is. The GOP figured this out a long time ago and they've dominated the AM airwaves. I think that's played a major role in transforming public opinion/sentiment towards their side over the years. Now that's changing.

In addition, there is a demand for progressive talk radio. There's a lot of people out there that would listen to it if it were available. Contrary to what Bill O'Reilly says, Ed Schultz (and even Randi Rhodes before she went off the air) were successful. So the left can have successful radio personalities as well. Let's not forget Ms. Rachel Maddow either. Where is she now?

---

by: NH Ex-pat @ Tue Oct 14, 2008 at 06:40:39 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Money is needed (4.00 / 2)

This is a great advancement for our area, and comes after many complaints to the otherwise Rush-Beck-O'Reilly programming.

BUT- it will only remain here if there is financial sponsorship for the station- if anyone knows businesses who could use radio advertising, please have them contact the station.

---

by: Kathleen O'Donnell @ Tue Oct 14, 2008 at 07:33:05 AM CDT

Devil's advocate (0.00 / 0)

It's been a while since I heard Air America, because I don't drive to work any more, but last I heard it, it needed to get a lot better.

I love Al Franken. He is one of my favorite people in America. Before The Daily Show really got going, he was the only person who could make me laugh about politics. But his radio show stunk.

Stephanie Miller, last I heard her, talked too fast. She never seemed comfortable in her delivery.

Ed Schultz talked too slow.

I never heard Rachel Maddow; I like her TV show, it's different. And do I really have to say anything about Alan Colmes?

Like I said, it's been a while, maybe the new people are really good. But if Air America fails, it won't be the ideology. And that's worth pointing out, because such claims will be made.

---

by: JimC @ Tue Oct 14, 2008 at 08:49:32 AM CDT

It's gotten better (4.00 / 1)

AAR got better when they picked up Thom Hartmann. He's intelligent, articulate, and can debate with people he disagrees with in a proper and respectful manner. It's one of the rare radio venues where two people from opposing positions can debate the issues without resorting to "shut up" like BOR and other FOX shows.

Stephanie Miller is an acquired taste. I thought she was mean at first but then I got to liking her more and more. Ed Schultz is good. He gets good guests and he's not afraid of going after people on our own side. He took Truthout.org's Jason Leopold to task for the Karl Rove/Scooter Libby source, which made him famous in some regards. The kicker is he sounds so much like Rush, in tone and delivery, that it sounds unoriginal. Miller and Schultz are not part of the AAR network They are part of the Jones Radio Network, AAR's competitor.

Rachel is good. Always has, always will be. She did a lot of radio in the Northampton area for WRSI. The thing of it is... is she's getting very popular and with her new show on MSNBC, we'll see less of her on the radio.  I won't be surprise if it folds soon. That's my prediction at least.

Alan Colmes, believe it or not, is actually a good radio show. He speaks a helluva lot more on his radio shows and can cleverly talk with nitwits who call in and try to argue with him. He's more informed on the issues than we think. I guess he's just paid to be useless on Hannity & Colmes.

You are right. If AAR fails it won't be because of ideology. It's because the people behind it are familiar with the radio business. You gotta know what works, personalities or networks? Do they put the business plan ahead or on par to their ideology? If so, then it has a good chance of sustaining.

---

by: NH Ex-pat @ Tue Oct 14, 2008 at 09:10:11 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hey listen Mr. Cynic (4.00 / 1)

You gotta know what works, personalities or networks? Do they put the business plan ahead or on par to their ideology? If so, then it has a good chance of sustaining.

You want a lively radio show? Blue Hampshire radio ... I'll call in and say "Shut up and play some punk rock!" if things lull.

But seriously, there are plenty of charming, entertaining LIBERALS. There is no need to move away from the ideology, even if we call it progressive.

---

by: JimC @ Tue Oct 14, 2008 at 09:24:32 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'd listen to you! (4.00 / 2)

JimC Radio!

It would be fun! And informative.  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

---

by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Tue Oct 14, 2008 at 09:50:05 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thank you (0.00 / 0)

But then you'll have to be the one to call in and tell me to shut up and play some music. I think that is a crucial component of any radio environment.

---

by: JimC @ Tue Oct 14, 2008 at 09:53:23 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Heh. (4.00 / 1)

I'll call in and say "Shut up and play some punk rock!" if things lull.

Steve West plays punk during "Live & Local." Big ska fan too!

Blue Hampshire radio would be cool. Pretty soon they'll be streaming, so everyone north, south and east of Keene can listen in too. Can't wait.  

---

by: NH Ex-pat @ Tue Oct 14, 2008 at 09:53:12 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Good (0.00 / 0)

If I can't dance, I don't want to be a part of this revolution.

Full disclosure: I can't dance. But metaphorically, I can really cut a rug. You and Kathy too.

---

by: JimC @ Tue Oct 14, 2008 at 09:56:07 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Remember when Comcast decided that if you don't pay for digital cable, you don't get MSNBC? (4.00 / 1)

In a Presidential election year, while still leaving FOX News and CNN?

Right, well, those of you in the Monadnock region, this is your chance for a daily dose of Rachel Maddow.

--
"Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past; you must fight just to keep them alive!"

@DougLindner

---

by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 07:58:58 AM CDT