AAR: Seems like they're trying to dilute it, it's too successful

[ariellyn]

The change from Sirius to XM is one thing, but the programming is another. They're setting back shows like Mike Malloy to the twilight zone--and reducing Randi's time. Not to mention the commercial breaks which I think are excessive.

Anybody else feel the same way?

[cprise]

1. Before you know it

...they won't have any 'room' for anyone like Mike or Randi who attack large corporations.

This is one of the reasons Democrats are lost. They try to advance their cause largely through the commercial establishment.

[Paul Dlugokencky]

2. what scheduling changes?

and when are they supposed to take effect? As far as I can see, Randi is still on 3 - 7 PM and Mike 10 PM - 1 AM.



http://www.cafepress.com/kickindemocrats

[still_one]

3. if you go to xm radio web site,

this is how they list their AAR schedule:

Weekday Schedule:
5AM-6AM ET Rachel Maddow Dr. Rachel Maddow
6AM-9AM ET Morning Sedition Marc Maron, Mark Riley, Wayne Gilman
9AM-Noon ET The Jerry Springer Show Jerry Springer
Noon - 3PM ET The Al Franken Show Al Franken, Katherine Lanpher
3PM-5PM ET The Ed Schultz Show Ed Schultz
5PM-7PM ET The Randi Rhodes Show Randi Rhodes
7PM-10PM ET The Majority Report Janeane Garofalo, Sam Seder
10PM-1AM ET The Alan Colmes Show Alan Colmes
1AM-5AM ET Mike Malloy Mike Malloy

[Paul Dlugokencky]

4. just XM then

If you're a subscriber to XM, write to them and complain. Alan Colmes?!!!

The AAR site has the full versions. I'm lucky enough to get it via 1190 AM in New York, and also sometimes will stream it online from AAR's site.



http://www.cafepress.com/kickindemocrats

[still_one]

5. no I have Sirius

and frankly with the XM schedule the way it is for AAR there is no way I would go to XM. I am waiting to see what Sirius puts in place of AAR

[KittyWampus]

16. Why Should Randi Get FOUR Hours? And They Aren't "Diluting" By

putting 2 hours of Ed Schultz in there either.

Just because YOU don't like him.

I do and would rather listen to him than Randi ANY day of the week.

I'd be happier if they gave Ed THREE full hours and pushed Randi & Malloy even FURTHER into the night.

And unless I'm wrong this is XM and NOT the radio line up. So AAR isn't doing squat it's XM.

[wyldwolf]

6. Are you sure it isn't just your local affiliate? Or just XM?

In Atlanta, Randi is still on 3-7 and Malloy is still on 10-1.

As for the Sirius/XM thing, so?

XM is giving them more money and a larger audience - both of wich AAR needs. Plus, XM's Washington, D.C. headquarters will offer dedicated studio space for special live broadcasts throughout the year for Air America Radio programs.

But interestingly, when Sirius first took on ARR, didn't they integrate AAR programming into their "Radio Left" - and shorten some AAR shows to make room for Schultz and Colmes while leaving others out? That was one reason I didn't go with Sirius.

Now XM is doing essentially the same.

[ariellyn]

7. I was referring to XM which I rely on...all you lucky people who

get AAR free don't have to worry about this.

[still_one]

8. just curious

you said you didn't go with Sirius because they didn't integrate AAR programming into their Radio Left?

I don't understand. What Sirius did was have to progressive stations, and AAR in its entire format live.

I think putting colmes on a progressive of left station is a joke. My guess is that most of his listeners are right wingers, not progressives

[wyldwolf]

10. No, that isn't what I said

When AAR debuted on Sirius, Sirus integrated AAR programming into "Sirius Left" but included other shows as well while shortening or excluding some AAR programming.

That is why I didn't get Sirius.

Quickly thereafer they gave AAR it's channel - from what I understand.

[still_one]

11. Thanks, sorry I didn't read it right

[WolverineDG]

14. I have Sirius

and AAR has always had its own channel. All the programs run in their full versions. Sirius has a 2nd channel, Sirius Left, with other liberal/progressive commentators. It was XM that picked & chose which AAR programs they were going to carry & for how long.

That's why I picked Sirius. Although AAR is bolting for XM, I'm staying with Sirius because I like most of the Sirius Left lineup.

dg

[vi5]

9. Do you want something that reaches more people than just the converted?

Or do you think AAR should be nothing more than red meat for the hardcore liberals who already believe and know about everything that is said on the channel? Or do you want something that may entertain and draw in people who could learn something?

Malloy and Randi are hard to take for people who don't already buy into everything they say. I like them both but whereas a Springer or a Franken or a Morning Sedition can bring people in with entertainment and then hopefully educate them, Malloy and Randi are pretty much just hardcore ranting and raving about shit for 2-3 hours. It works for me but it will ultimately have zero effect on anyone who needs to be reached.

So if that's watering AAR down then, yeah maybe they are watering it down. And I'm not entirely sure that's a bad thing.

[still_one]

12. actually that isn't quite true

I agree that Malloy won't attract or even convert any right wingers, but Randi is another story. She has quite a lot of right wing callers, and actually has turned them around.

I believe the right wingers, listen more than you would think.

I have a repug associate at work who listens to Amy Goodman all the time.

We have a good mix on AAR, and we need are hardcore personalities also. For the most part we are surrounded by hardcore right wing ranting, especially on the radio. It is quite healthy for us to rant and rave once and a while. In fact, part of our problem has been that we have taken the high road all the time, no matter how much mud was thrown at us, and we don't even defend ourseleves. I think the 2004 election, and for that matter the 2000 election demonstrated that

[vi5]

13. I'm not even talking attracting wingnuts. I'm talking casual listeners...

who are on the fence. The wingnuts listening to Randi or Malloy are the same as the masochists on here who listen to Rush or Imus. They're not going to be swayed to their points of view.

I'm talking the people on the fence.

[TreasonousBastard]

15. I don't...

because they're simply making some room for Colmes and Schultz, which may be an AAR decision, not XM's.

Been listening to Colmes, Schultz and Hartmann on Sirius Left, and, quite franky, I like them better than Rhodes or Malloy, who are largely just ranters. I can't listen to either of them for more than a few minutes. After hearing Rhodes yell at a caller she agrees with, or Malloy calling all Christians a bunch of thugs and molesters for a few minutes, I switch to RawDog for some laughs or the Reggae channel to relax.

For those of you who just see Colmes sitting there as Hannity's waterboy, on his own show he can kick some serious ass with some of the wingnuts he has on as guests or callers. I like him.

For reaching a wider audience, and not just preaching to the converted, this lineup looks pretty good. Even Springer, who might not be for me, could attract people who might otherwise hide the channel. I wish Maddow was more visible, though. She's another one who makes the point without the screaming rant.