Air America; Is it working?

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Listen to it daily - I Randi Rhodes (presumably the angry woman in question)

 

[cardaway]

Also...since AA is a "liberal" network --- they need to win over the hearts and "radio presets" from the NPR crowd---not from the conservative radio crowd. And NPR listeners are VERY loyal ... that's going to be a tough battle for them.

If NPR were included in the ratings, there would be a lot of markets in which NPR would blow the consertative talk stations out of the water.

You also have to figure in non-politcal talk radio. Since Rush and the Rush clones created a VERY partisan market, most of the middle and left has moved on to non-political talk radio before AA started. It will take time to let them know a new option is around, or to create something good enough to pull them away.

Personally I don't think it will happen. I don't think enough people will switch to AA to make it work long term. The solution to Rush and Co. is not an equally partisan group. The non-political talk radio hosts tend to lean to the left, so the people listening to them are happy with what little politics they are hearing and will be quite content to stay right where they are. Check out the ratings for Tom Leykis as a good example.

Personally I could never listen to AA or Rush and Co for very long, the "me too" callers get really boring.

 

[DawnCt1]

As for your opinion of the "angry woman" believe me Rush, Sean, Savage, those guys aren't angry and unhappy??? You've got to be kidding right?

I don't find Rush or Sean angry. Savage is definately another story.

 

[Galahad]

You also have to figure in non-politcal talk radio. Since Rush and the Rush clones created a VERY partisan market, most of the middle and left has moved on to non-political talk radio before AA started. It will take time to let them know a new option is around, or to create something good enough to pull them away.

Personally I don't think it will happen. I don't think enough people will switch to AA to make it work long term. The solution to Rush and Co. is not an equally partisan group. The non-political talk radio hosts tend to lean to the left, so the people listening to them are happy with what little politics they are hearing and will be quite content to stay right where they are. Check out the ratings for Tom Leykis as a good example.

Personally I could never listen to AA or Rush and Co for very long, the "me too" callers get really boring.

I think he's right. I am so tired of political everything. I don't listen to any of it any longer. Political talk radio may be greatly diminished not by the rise of some great leftie hope, but because the listeners are just burned out on it.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Wow. So you give an anecdotal example of one station in the Hartford area that's ratings drop going from Rush to a liberal team, and that means that nobody listens to liberal talk radio?

Isn't that just how Rush comes up with his "facts"?

I listen to Air America and Rhandi Rhodes in particular (the 'angry woman' you spoke of) every day. And yes, she is can be quite angry, but then again, the things she reports are worth getting angry over. And no, she doesn't spout conspiracy theories. She never presents an idea or accusation without the source to back it up both verbally and on her website. You should really give her a listen. She is an excellent debater.

You've gotta love "the Goddess"!!

 

[Galahad]

Actually the 3 to 6 pm slot seem to belong to Hannity and Carr.

Nationally I'm not so sure. I either listen to the local guys talking about the game tonight or the man-on-the-street decompress from your day light stuff, or music. I'm pretty sure that the only political talk that gets any kind of ratings in this market is Rush and that's probably just inertia. I would be very surprised if that's not a trend. Not that Air America would benefit from that trend. I just thing it's getting close to running its course.

 

[LastTycoon]

I'm liberal and I don't listen to Air America. I don't plan on ever listening to it. I can't stand O'Reilly, Hannity, and Limbaugh and the idea of listening to liberal versions of those Jacka**es makes me sick to my stomach. Jon Stewart is as far as I'm willing to go, and he'll take on the Dems too, which I find refreshing. The Colbert Report was great last night, as well. It really made fun of all of these pundits -

"I don't trust books. They're all fact, no heart."
"Anyone can read the news to you—I promise to feel the news at you."
"This program is dedicated to you, the heroes! And who are the heroes? The people who watch this show -- average, hardworking Americans. You're not the elites, you're not the country club crowd. I know for a fact that my country club would never let you in. But you get it! And you come from a long line of it-getters!"
"On this show, your voice will be heard, in the form of my voice."

 

[swilphil]

I don't find Rush or Sean angry.

You obviously have a much higher threshold for what constitutes anger, or could it be that you are looking at issues in the same way?

 

[eclectics]

Jon Stewart is as far as I'm willing to go, and he'll take on the Dems too, which I find refreshing.

I love Jon Stewart and Bill Mahr. Now if they were on the radio, I could listen for hours. Not only are they hilarious and they cut through all the bull poop, they actually possess intellegence, unlike some other radio hosts who shall remain nameless! Some of Bill Mahr's suggestions make quite a lot of sense.

 

[Puffy2]

Conservative talk radio has given new life to A.M radio, not only nationally with such hosts as Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, but locally with Howie Carr in the Mass. area and Jim Vicevich in the Hartford/NY area. I have only had a couple of opportunities to hear Air America, both times while driving home from Boston. I don't recall the name of the host but it was a woman who sounded unhappy, angry and took calls from like minded people who sounded certainly as angry. They seemed to be steeped in their conspiracy theories. Maybe I didn't hear the best that they have to offer and so my views could not be representative. Locally, ratings for WTIC radio are the highest in the Hartford market between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm. Programming at that time is a local conservative talk show host, Jim Vicevich followed by Rush Limbaugh at noon. At 3 pm, when the liberal team of Colin McEnroe and Bruce Stevens come on, listenership drops off to the other alternatives in the listening area. Any opinions as to why conservative talk radio is winning the ears and advertizing dollars of America?

Air America is GREAT. I just wish I didn't have to endure static to listen to it, but since I'm so desparate here in the red south, I'll listen through static, sizzle, pop, and grind just to get a breath of fresh air and reason!

Rhandi Roads is aggressive. Good for her! It's about time someone stood up for the liberals. I've had to endure WAY too many angry, hostile, offensive, rude, "conservative" jerks for too long. Neal Boortz in Atlanta will cut off any caller that starts to make him look bad - Randi Roads never cuts off a caller. And Al Franklin and Jerry Springer are actually NICE to ALL callers - respectful, they way hosts should be - and no one can say that about Boortz, Pawn Hannity (who won't let a liberal guest get a word in edgewise) , Limbaugh, O'LIEly, or Scaresborough. As a matter of fact, the most disgusting thing about the conservative radio/tv pundants is the FACT that they ARE obnoxious, in -your-face, jerks. But I guess they are paid to do that.

 

[DawnCt1]

As a matter of fact, the most disgusting thing about the conservative radio/tv pundants is the FACT that they ARE obnoxious, in -your-face, jerks. But I guess they are paid to do that.

Actually, that is what I have noticed about the liberal radio/tv pundants. Chris Matthews comes to mind'...along with Randi Roads...now that I know who she is.

 

[Puffy2]

I'm liberal and I don't listen to Air America. I don't plan on ever listening to it. I can't stand O'Reilly, Hannity, and Limbaugh and the idea of listening to liberal versions of those Jacka**es makes me sick to my stomach.

You should try Al Franklin or Jerry Springer... Rhandi might be too much for your tastes, but Al and Jerry are a breath of fresh air - they are NEVER rude to any caller, they always allow callers to make their points. Give it a try - it will remind you why liberals are different from conservatives (one being the fact that liberals believe in free speech for all...even on a partisan radio show - a view the conservatives don't seem to share).

 

[momof2inPA]

I just thing it's getting close to running its course.

I agree. It's always same spin, different day. The kids that grew up with their parents listening to Rush's daily mega-ditto (how can a grown man call himself a ditto-head?) crap, just don't want to hear talk radio at all.

 

[Galahad]

I agree. It's always same spin, different day. The kids that grew up with their parents listening to Rush's daily mega-ditto (how can a grown man call himself a ditto-head?) crap, just don't want to hear talk radio at all.

Yeah, even when they are on a subject I agree with them about I just have to say "man, life isn't politics - go do something useful" and quickly turn back to my music. The one on the right I just don't understand the popularity of is Hannity. He's not really angry, just an automaton. You can guess exactly what he'll say about everything AND how he'll say it AND the amount of hyperbole. Ack! I'm pretty conservative (or at least center-right) and I can't listen to him for even a few seconds.