Randi Rhodes Moves to Nova M Network as Progressive Talk Radio Flounders
Progressive talk host Randi Rhodes, suspended last week for making derogatory comments about Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary Clinton, has left Air America for “greener” pastures at the Nova M radio network. She will fill the 3-6pm drive-time slot beginning next Monday, April 14.
Nova M is run by Sheldon and Anita Drobny, two co-counders of Air America, along with progressive talk host and physician Dr. Michael Newcomb. Also on board are former Clinton insider Joe Trippi and uber-pollster James Zogby.
Air America, now run by Mark Green, will fill Rhodes’s 3-6pm drive-time slot with a series of stand ins, beginning Monday with comedian and actor Richard Belzer, who posts occasionally at leftist Hollywood gossip and news site The Huffington Post.
Air America began broadcasting four years ago last month, then went bankrupt two and a half years later. One year ago, the struggling network was purchased by progressive author/lawyer/politician Mark Green and his brother, real estate investor Stephen Green, for $4.25 million.
For comparison, conservative radio talk host Rush Limbaugh is nearing the end of an eight-year, $285 million contract with Premiere Radio Networks. Limbaugh earns the entire value of Air America every 6 weeks.
Newsprism wonders how two progressive radio networks can successfully split an audience that to date hasn’t been able to sustain one profitable progressive network.
The sole success in progressive radio to date is National Public Radio, which exists, appropriately, on taxpayer dollars rather than in the commercial marketplace.
April 15, 2008 at 8:37 pm
It seems Randi Rhodes may have received the last laugh in the case of her suspension from Air America. I for one am happy that Rhodes has received a new place of employment that will not punish her for acting on her rights as an American citizen. The financial security of Air America sounds shakey at best and Rhode’s recent suspension may have been a blessing in disguise for the talk show star. In a typical move, Air America has now hired a leftist actor to fill into Rhode’s previous timeslot. I’m sure the owners of the station are completely unbias in their suspension of Rhodes wink,wink!
I think I may know why listeners are turned off by Air America and why the continue to loss money. Perhaps it is due to false advertisement within their name….you see in America citizens have freedom of speech, the same freedom that protects these clowns livelihood. Perhaps they should consider a name change of their company since the ideals America was founded on do not sit well with their facist views!