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Wednesday, 18 October 2006 11:34 |
| John North
Editor & Publisher |
I was surprised last Friday to learn of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing for Air America Radio, the liberal talk-show network built around comedian Al Franken.
The Chapter 11 protection was sought after talks with a creditor reportedly broke down. Happily for its listeners, the network plans to remain on the air while it reorganizes.
In its filing in U.S. bankruptcy court in Manhattan, Air America said it lost about $40.9 million since its launch in March 2004, including $13.1 million so far in 2006.
Air America was founded as a counter-balance to the radio programming of politically conservative shows by nationally syndicated hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Michael Savage.
Besides
Franken, the New York-based Air America, which claims a paltry 4
million listeners, features Robert Kennedy Jr. and Randi Rhodes. It
also airs a radio show from television host Jerry Springer.
The filing was
sought by Scott Elberg, who became Air Americaës chief executive last
week. He stated that the networkës backers told him last month that
they would no longer subsidize its operating losses. He said this
prompted Air America to consider a possible sale or liquidation.
The network is
seeking court permission to obtain up to $3 million in financing from
an entity called Democracy Allies LLC so that it may operate while
under Chaptel 11.
As an occasional
listener to Air Americaës affiliate in Asheville (880-AM, The
Revolution), I wondered if the networkës woes meant that there is
insufficient interest among listeners and/or advertisers to support
such a venture.
Or could it be that the networkës organizers failed to market the venture properly?
Of course,
Limbaugh was quick Friday afternoon on his show to declare that Air
America Radioës failure showed that, as with other liberal causes, such
phenomenon can exist only on subsidies.
He also said the
bankruptcy shows the network, like the liberal movement in general, is
spearheaded by arrogant and condescending people who are out of touch
with mainstream Americans.
Ultimately,
Limbaugh tied the failure to the supposition of Air Americaës liberal
founders that they could simply jump into the radio business with no
background or training ÇƒÓ and still be successful.
Meanwhile, a
liberal colleague of mine suggested that Air America failed because
liberals are too nice ÇƒÓ they are not mean enough and, hence, not
entertaining enough. Letës face it ÇƒÓ a standoff between Rush and Al
Franken is no match. The same could be said for manic Michael Savage
and his thundering "Savage Nation."
Generally, I
find liberal positions tend to be more intellectual and nuanced and,
hence, donët lend themselves to soundbites that go over so well on AM
radio with todayës prototypical, short-attention-span listeners.
From my own
observation, I think a major problem is that AM radio, which since the
1970s has morphed into talk/news/sports radio, mainly attracts an
older, conservative, largely white male audience ÇƒÓ not exactly the
prime support base for Air America.
To that end, I
believe the founders of Air America erred in thinking they needed to
counter-balance right-wing talk radio by setting up their own
alternative network, when that is not a stronghold of liberals ÇƒÓ nor
will it ever be. The left would be better advised to build on its
strengths, such as National Public Radio and other locales on the
liberal-friendly FM dial, as well as a number of liberal TV programs,
such as "The Daily Show."
Most likely,
though, many things can go wrong with a new business that may have
nothing to do with the program content ÇƒÓ and much to do with basic
business practices.
Still, it is
curious that the top creditor is not being revealed in the bankruptcy
filing. Inquiring minds might wonder why the benefactor now wants to be
shielded.
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