Air America, R.I.P. 2004-2010

We just got in the door from flying all day from Hawaii, and found that Air America abruptly shut down on-air operations Thursday afternoon. This company has died many times before, but this time it looks like it's staying  down. Chapter 7 down: "the orderly winding down of the business."

We've got all manner of questions... among them: whither Ron Reagan? We'll try to get some answers Friday.

This email was sent to all employees this afternoon:

From: Charlie Kireker

Date: January 21, 2010 4:36:59 PM EST


To: All 


Subject: Air America Operations

It is with the greatest regret, on behalf of our Board, that we must announce that Air America Media is ceasing its live programming operations as of this afternoon, 
and that the Company will file soon under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code to carry out an orderly winding-down of the business.
 
The very difficult economic environment has had a significant impact on Air America's business. This past year has seen a "perfect storm" in the media industry generally.

National and local advertising revenues have fallen drastically, causing many media companies nationwide to fold or seek bankruptcy protection. From large to small,recent bankruptcies like Citadel Broadcasting and closures like that of the industry's long-time trade publication Radio and Records have signaled that these are very difficult and rapidly changing times.

Those companies that remain are facing audience fragmentation as a result of new media technologies, are often saddled with crushing debt, and have generally found it difficult to obtain operating or investment capital from traditional sources of funding.  In this climate, our painstaking search for new investors has come close several times right up into this week, but ultimately fell short of success.
 
With radio industry ad revenues down for 10 consecutive quarters, and reportedly off 21% in 2009, signs of improvement have consisted of hoping things will be less bad.

And though Internet/new media revenues are projected to grow, our expanding online efforts face the same monetization and profitability challenges in the short term confronting the Web operations of most media companies.

When Air America Radio launched in April, 2004 with already-known personalities like Al Franken and then-unknown future stars like Rachel Maddow, it was the only full-time progressive voice in the mainstream broadcast media world. At a critical time in our nation’s history -- when dissent on issues such as the Iraq war were
often denounced as “un-American”— Air America and its talented team helped millions of Americans remember the importance of compelling discussion about the most
pivotal events and decisions of our generation.  
 
Through some 100 radio outlets nationwide, Air America helped build a new sense of purpose and determination among American progressives. With this revival,
the progressive movement made major gains in the 2006 mid-term elections and, more recently, in the election of President Barack Obama and a strongly Democratic Congress.

 Laws have changed for the better thanks to this revival.....but all the same our company cannot escape the laws of economics. So we intend a rapid, orderly
closure over the next few days. All current employees will be paid through today, January 21. A severance package will be offered tomorrow to full-time current employees with more than six months of tenure. 
 
We will strive to assist affiliates and partners in achieving a smooth transition. Starting at 6 pm EST today, we will provide our affiliates, listeners and users a
selection of encore programming until 9 pm EST on Monday, January 25, at which time Air America programming will end.  
 
We are proud that Air America’s mission lives on through the words and actions of so many former radio hosts who are active today in progressive
causes and media nationwide. In the years ahead, as we look back, we should all be proud of our passionate determination to assure that our nation’s
progressive voice would be heard loud and clear. Through the hard work and dedication of current staff, and those who preceded you, a lasting legacy
was forged which will now continue through other voices and venues. 
 
Thank you. 

Comments

[sparky]

I feel bad for Ron Reagan...but this morning I am listening to Bill Press as usual because he is not affiliated with Air America..either is Stephanie Miller, Thom Hartman, Ed, Norman Goldman or Mike Malloy. It will be interesting to see who they put in Ron's spot. If he went independent like Malloy, KPTK would probably keep him right where he is.

[Duffman]

Their product wasn't marketable, simple as that. I wish all remaining talents well.

[joanie]

What was their"product" Duffman?

[Duffman]

IMO joanie, their product was basically the liberal agenda. May be someone else can further expand.

[I'm sorry, rules dictate that I can only post once on each topic, sans any disparaging remarks]

[joanie]

So why is it tat KPTK-which is far more liberal- is hardly affected at all?

Do you understand the difference between "brands?"

[joanie]

I'm off to school. Perhaps you should rethink your sweeping statement. If I were grading your post, I'd suggest you think a little deeper and provide a few more details. Generalizations - esp. unsupported ones - just don't cut it.

Were you an A student, duffman?

[Flangis]

That's a right-wing talking point you are a tool, Duffman.

[Khan]

Predictable.

[Lucas Foxx]

Air America was the saviour of my sanity for the first couple of years. It was the only outlet anywhere that catered to my point of view, and even though, at the time, I had to stream it from the internet, it was nice to know that I was not alone. But that was then. Now, many bad program changes later, I just don't care about them anymore. Feel bad for Ron, though. He could have great potential given some support and air-time.

[Weasels ripped my flesh]

The left wing obfuscation talk-machine will just find another venue like Randi Rhodes, Thom Hartman and others have. Air America did not cut the mustard - big surprise ! NOT.

[Coiler]

Actually, it launched the careers of Rachel,Thom, the senate campaign of Al Franken. It did what it was supposed to do.

[Puget Sound]

Actually, it launched the careers of Rachel,Thom, the senate campaign of Al Franken. It did what it was supposed to do.

Posted by: Coiler | January 22, 2010 at 02:50 PM

Was it suppose to fail?

[tad]

How does launching the political career of a senator, and two television personalities a failure? How many rightie talkers are in Congress?? None? Wow, Fox Network is a failure.

[Coiler]

Polluted Sound probably thought I meant AIG.

[joanie]

The left wing obfuscation talk-machine will just find another venue like Randi Rhodes, Thom Hartman and others have.

For god's sake, klueless, Randi, Thom and other s ARE the left-wing talk machine.

How does anyone get to be such an idiot?

Besides, AA left too many progressives behind. It became a moderate machine. Unfortunately.

Mostly weekend talent got axed: ring of fire; ann-marie cox; anybody else?

Another profound post by the Polluted Sound. (I liked that Coiler. Good one.) Did it fail or did it do it's job? Seems to me it got the left-wing talk machine going and going and going. Sometimes, parents die. Or do we have to have a discussion about death with sputs? Hmm?

Right wingers really need to grow up.

[KS]

C'mon phonie joanie, you are such a friggin' hypocrite - you are the one who needs to grow up.

You have reverted from a halfway decent discourse back to your loony self with no argument - just a lot of hot air. Your statements are so stupid, I'll laugh back at you and tell you to lay off the sauce - you are lookin' mighty lame.

[joanie]

"You...you...you...you..."

That response sounds like I did when I was a teenager whining at my parents. Grow up.

[KS]

"Grow up."

Ladies first dear (sic) phony joanie.

[joanie]

Do you understand the use of sic? Several times now I've wondered.

[KS]

Wonder no more phony one ! BTW, you also used it and it didn't appear to be incorrect in those instances.

sic - thus, so used within brackets (sic) to show that a quoted passage, esp. one containing some error or something questionable, is precisely reproduced.

Example dear (sic) joanie or maybe it should have been dear joanie (sic)

Source: 2nd College Edition, Websters New World Dictionary of the American Language

[joanie]

So? My point exactly. What's the quote? Who you quoting? Comprende, idiot?

As for the error, everything you write is an error. So I won't ask esp. one containing some error or something questionable, you to explain the "error."

[Reuben and the Jets]

The only point you made is the point on your tinfoil hat. You are the error, douchebag...

[abdula]

C'mon phonie joanie, you are such a friggin' hypocrite - you are the one who needs to grow up.
You have reverted from a halfway decent discourse back to your loony self with no argument - just a lot of hot air. Your statements are so stupid, I'll laugh back at you and tell you to lay off the sauce - you are lookin' mighty lame.
---------------------------------------------

Posted by: KS | January 22, 2010 at 11:03 PM

Ya see here folks. This here is called projection. KS is complaining about Joanie’s hypocrisy. By calling her phony, stupid and loony. And of course, begging her “lay off the sauce”. KS is doing 2 things that are indeed critical of Joanie. KS has launched into an argument, about what I don’t know. And KS is “lookin' mighty lame.”

[sparky]

What a beautiful day today!! I wish we could have more sun. KS, I think you would enjoy some time away from the computer, getting some fresh air and vitamin D. You are Mr. Grumpy today.

[KS]

" KS is doing 2 things that are indeed critical of Joanie. KS has launched into an argument, about what I don’t know. And KS is “lookin' mighty lame.”

Abdulla - you must have had a major in psychology with your nuanced analysis of what is referenced as hot air. Other than that, since you don't know what the hell you are talking about - you are playing the fool or its also possible that you are Joanie's alias or her mother.

The sun was nice - went to the gym for a workout. Just returned.