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April 10, 2004 Air Liberal Drudge has linked this non-story again, which will probably lead to another ill-informed spate of right-wing mockery.... Air America Radio, the liberal talk radio network, featuring Al Franken, Janeane Garofalo, Chuck D. and others, has found two Bay Area outlets, the San Jose Mercury News reported, though no startup date has been announced.I can't really expect most people to understand the economics of radio, but this needs to be said. The fact that Air American keeps taking over minority radio stations is not an indication that they are "going after minorities"/"insensitive to minorities", or any other scandalous race-related meme. The fact is this: as a start-up radio network, they have VERY limited resources. Thus, they can generally only buy relatively inexpensive AM stations....specifically, AM stations with poor signals, and historically second/third-tier AM stations. In short, stations that don't generate a great deal of revenue, so they're just not that expensive. And the fact is, since the top-tier radio stations are already targetting the wealthy and broad demographics, those second/third-tier stations will end up targetting the niche markets. For example, Asian-language programming. Face it, you're only going to go after a niche like the Asian-language market if you're desperate, and unable to make a profit by competing with the big boys. So, of course they're deposing minority stations. Duh. This just isn't a story. |
I said this same thing over on Uppity-negro.com, and Aaron told me I was no longer welcome to participate in his political discussions. Pop culture, sure. But not politics. Go figure.
Posted by: Jeff G at April 10, 2004 08:17 PM
While you point to the reality of what Air America is faced with, the story is the irony of these self-declared 'champions of minorities' knocking minority stations off the air for their own ends.
Posted by: McQ at April 10, 2004 08:19 PM
Disagree. "Air America" is bankrolled by some very deep pockets. It would seem to me that it makes more sense for them to try and buy a station that has enough wattage to have a range measured in miles, as opposed to blocks. Then they could charge more for ad rates, and even lease out some of their air time at nights or weekends to make a few more bucks, not to mention the credibility factor that a real station with recognized letters could bring. I'm sure Soros and associates could afford it.
This is not your normal shoestring start-up...
Posted by: shark at April 10, 2004 10:31 PM
Ah, Jon, you wanna ruin ALL our fun?
Besides, I agree with McQ ... the irony is just too delicious to ignore. If conservative radio shows were taking minority voices off the air, you'd never hear the end of it.
Posted by: Captain Ed at April 10, 2004 10:34 PM
As an amusing irony, sure. But that irony is entirely happenstance. If a white person had a career promoting race relations...but then they had a car accident with a black person....that might be an amusing irony, but it's not evidence of...well, anything. Just an amusing irony.
And Shark...while they might have deep potential pockets, you don't spend that kind of money until you prove you can do something with it. And radio stations are EXPENSIVE. A good signal in a major market would go for $30m+.
You don't spend that kind of money until you show some signs of success.
Posted by: Jon Henke at April 11, 2004 07:55 AM
Of course, the above assume that the backers of Air America actually want to continue past this coming election. If all they want is the publicity and the repition of what they say on other stations, then why not go the cheapest route?
Posted by: JorgXMcKie at April 11, 2004 12:26 PM
To echo Captain Ed, if Rush, or Hannity took over a minority owned station, it would be FRONTPAGE news.
Posted by: Mark at April 12, 2004 02:53 AM