Three eerily similar e-mails from readers got me to thinking about Air America, the liberal radio network that just celebrated its first anniversary.
Essentially, all three asked, “Why isn’t the mainstream (i.e., ‘liberal’) media telling the truth about the ‘failing’ Air America?”
Conservatives would love to give the network a premature burial. In New York, they like to point out, AA’s ratings are lower now than when the station played Caribbean music. And the truth is, AA is wallowing in low numbers in several major markets.
That’s not the case in Denver. The Arbitron winter ratings show KKZN 760-AM, which took on Air America last September, with the same 1.6 share it had in the previous ratings period.
Among the highly valued (to advertisers) 25-54 age group, Bell said, the station’s midday combination of Al Franken and Ed Schultz logged a 2.5 share, up from 2.2 in the fall. To compare, the Mike Rosen/[BB_RR]Rush Limbaugh combo at the same time on KOA 850-AM logs an impressive 6.9.
Many predicted that once the fall elections went by, AA would quietly disappear. “That’s not what we’re seeing,” said Jerry Bell, program director of KKZN for parent Clear Channel.
In an attempt to boost its numbers and profile, AA, carried on 51 stations in 16 of the nation’s top 20 markets, has added TV trashmaster Jerry Springer in some markets. So far, he hasn’t landed on KKZN, but it may not be long. Bell is scanning his evening lineup to find a spot for Springer, carried live in the mornings on AA. “We’re obviously not going to bump Franken for Springer,” he said.
KKZN isn’t shy about taking potshots at its conservative brethren. Last week, a “condolence” card went out to area homes. “Our Deepest Sympathy” it said, accompanied by a photo of a yellow rose. Inside it read, “Please accept out deepest sympathies for having to endure four more years of George W. Bush.”
That ought to get ’em fired up. It already has. One recipient wrote back, “S—- you and your touchy-feely … radio station! You’ve got more nerve than brains, you condescending spineless Ward Churchill propaganda fan club!”
Around the dial
Neither rain, nor sleet, etc.: Eighteen-year-old Kristen Early of Highlands Ranch defeated the elements and six other contenders to win KTVD-Channel 20’s “Gimme the Mike!” finals at Red Rocks. … Willie B. is back on “The Locker Room” morning madness on KBPI 106.7-FM, replacing D-Mak, who left, says the station, “in a business decision.” … Scott Sanders, one-time morning anchor on KCNC-Channel 4, has turned up as an anchorman in Indianapolis. … Quotable: “Practice whatever the big truth is so you can say it in 40 seconds on camera.” – Newt Gingrich.
Dick Kreck’s column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He may be reached at 303-820-1456 or dkreck@denverpost.com.
