Democracy Radio

Last updated

Democracy Radio was an American nonprofit organization founded in 2002 by Tom Athans and Paul Fiddick, which aimed to address what its founders saw as political imbalance on American commercial radio. The concept was to develop and incubate progressive-oriented talk programming and enlist radio networks to market the programs to stations around the country. Democracy Radio developed and produced radio talk shows that launched the national careers of Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller, among others.

Contents

History

Tom Athans, a veteran of the United States Air Force and former staffer for U.S. Representative Dale Kildee, founded Democracy Radio in 2002. [1]

A 2003 New York Times story quoted Athans: "We're going to go out and identify talent and help them to create programming and actually connect them with local stations." [2] Late in January 2003, Democracy Radio gathered over 30 progressive talk show hosts to Capitol Hill to provide coverage of the 2003 State of the Union Address. [3]

In January 2004, Democracy Radio launched its first nationally syndicated show, The Ed Schultz Show , hosted by Ed Schultz of KFGO in Fargo, North Dakota. [4] [5] [6] Democracy Radio retained Jones Radio Networks to handle affiliate relations and advertising sales. The show was commercially successful, and grew to over 100 stations and 8 of the top 10 markets.[ citation needed ]

In September 2004, Democracy Radio debuted The Stephanie Miller Show in conjunction with Ron Hartenbaum's WYD Media. [7]

On June 8, 2005, Democracy Radio sold its stake in The Ed Schultz Show to a new company headed by radio executive Randy Michaels, the former CEO of Clear Channel Radio. [8]

In November 2005, Democracy Radio closed after Athans joined the management team of Air America. [9] WYD Media, Democracy Radio's partner in The Stephanie Miller Show, purchased Democracy Radio's shares and assumed sole ownership of the venture. [10]

Related Research Articles

Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues and consisting entirely or almost entirely of original spoken word content rather than outside music. They may feature monologues, dialogues between the hosts, interviews with guests, and/or listener participation which may be live conversations between the host and listeners who "call in" or via voice mail. Listener contributions are usually screened by a show's producers to maximize audience interest and, in the case of commercial talk radio, to attract advertisers.

Air America was an American radio network specializing in progressive talk radio. It was on the air from March 2004 to January 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Schultz</span> American political commentator

Edward Andrew Schultz was an American television and radio host, political commentator, news anchor and sports broadcaster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Press</span> American talk radio host (born 1940)

William H. Press is an American talk radio host, podcaster, liberal pundit and author. He was chairman of the California Democratic Party from 1993 to 1996, and is a senior political contributor on CNN. He hosts The Bill Press Pod podcast, and his weekly column is syndicated by Tribune Content Agency.

The Ed Schultz Show was a progressive talk radio program hosted by Ed Schultz. It was formerly broadcast from KFGO in Fargo, North Dakota. It was heard on a network of over 100 stations, including seven of the ten largest radio markets. It was also on XM and Sirius satellite radio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephanie Miller</span> American comedian and political commentator (born 1961)

Stephanie Catherine Miller is an American political commentator, comedian, and host of The Stephanie Miller Show, a Progressive talk radio program produced in Los Angeles, California, by WYD Media Management and syndicated nationally by Westwood One. In 2017, Talkers Magazine ranked her the 23rd-most important radio talk show host in the U.S. Miller has leveraged her talk show via various platforms including online, as well as via her Sexy Liberal Tour live comedy show.

The Stephanie Miller Show is a syndicated progressive talk radio program that discusses politics, current events, and pop culture using a fast-paced, impromptu, comedic style. The three-hour show is hosted by Stephanie Miller and is syndicated by Westwood One. Voice artist Jim Ward formerly co-hosted the show and is a recurring guest. Miller is frequently joined on the air by executive producer Jody Hamilton and general manager Chris Lavoie. The show debuted on September 7, 2004 and is broadcast live from Los Angeles, California each weekday morning from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time, on Pacifica station, KPFK in LA, and radio stations throughout the U.S., as well as online, and via SiriusXM Progress Channel 127. The show is also video simulcast live on Free Speech TV. Audio of each day's show is also available commercial-free for download from the show's website via the paid subscription Stephcast, which has been available since June 2005. The radio show should not be confused with Miller's short-lived 1995 syndicated TV talk show with the same name.

KTNF is a commercial AM radio station licensed to St. Louis Park, Minnesota that serves the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The station brands itself as "The Progressive Voice of Minnesota," and offers a combination of locally produced and nationally syndicated progressive talk programming. It is owned by JR Broadcasting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KEIB</span> Radio station in Los Angeles, California

KEIB is a commercial radio station in Los Angeles, California. Owned by iHeartMedia, the station brands itself as The Patriot, and broadcasts a conservative talk radio format. The station's studios are on West Olive Avenue in Burbank.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free Speech TV</span> Progressive-leaning television network

Free Speech TV (FSTV) is an American progressive news and opinion network. It was launched in 1995 and is owned and operated by Public Communicators Incorporated, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization founded in 1974. Distributed principally by Dish Network, DirecTV, and the network's live stream at freespeech.org and on Roku, Free Speech TV has run commercial free since 1995 with support from viewers and foundations. The network claims to "amplify underrepresented voices and those working on the front lines of social, economic and environmental justice," predominantly from a progressive perspective.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KPHX</span> Radio station in Arizona, United States

KPHX is a commercial AM radio station in Phoenix, Arizona. It is owned by Jacob Garcia, through licensee La Hermosa Radio LLC. KPHX carries a Spanish language Christian talk and teaching radio format. It is also heard on FM translator 92.9 K225CT in Paradise Valley, Arizona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KPTR (AM)</span> Talk radio station in Seattle

KPTR is a commercial AM radio station in Seattle, Washington. It airs a Conservative talk format and is owned by iHeartMedia. The studios and offices are in the Belltown neighborhood northwest of Downtown Seattle.

Progressive talk radio is a talk radio format devoted to expressing left-leaning viewpoints of news and issues as opposed to conservative talk radio. In the United States, the format has included syndicated and independent personalities such as Arnie Arnesen, Michael Brooks, Alan Colmes, Jon Favreau, Al Franken, Brad Friedman, John Fugelsang, Norman Goldman, Amy Goodman, Thom Hartmann, Kyle Kulinski, Jon Lovett, Rachel Maddow, Mike Malloy, Stephanie Miller, Michael Moore, David Pakman, Mike Papantonio, Dan Pfeiffer, Bill Press, Randi Rhodes, Ed Schultz, Sam Seder, Hal Sparks, and Tommy Vietor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WXXM</span> Radio station in Sun Prairie–Madison, Wisconsin, United States

WXXM is a commercial radio station licensed to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and serving the Madison metropolitan area. The station is owned and operated by iHeartMedia, and broadcasts an adult hits radio format, switching to Christmas music for much of November and December. The station is noted for its runs as an alternative rock station during the 1980s and 1990s and as a progressive talk station in the 2000s and 2010s.

WABQ is a commercial radio station licensed to Painesville, Ohio, featuring an urban contemporary gospel format. Owned by Radio Advantage One, LLC, WABQ serves Lake County and eastern parts of Greater Cleveland. It is an affiliate for the Cleveland Cavaliers Radio Network. WABQ's studios and transmitter are located on the northeastern end of Painesville. In addition to a standard analog transmission, WABQ is relayed over low-power translator W234DO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KABQ (AM)</span> Radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico

KABQ is a commercial AM radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., and is airing a sports radio format as "Fox Sports 1350". It had been carrying all iHeart podcasts since 2019.

The year 2005 in radio involved some significant events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SiriusXM Progress</span> Radio station

SiriusXM Progress is located at channel 127 on Sirius XM Radio and carries a progressive talk radio format. The channel is programmed by Don Wicklin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPEK</span> Radio station in Fairview, North Carolina

WPEK is a commercial AM daytimer radio station, known as "ESPN Asheville." It is licensed to Fairview, North Carolina and serves the Asheville metropolitan area. The station airs an all-sports radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. Most programming comes from ESPN Radio. WPEK is largely simulcast on WMXF in Waynesville, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Athans</span> American media executive

Tom Athans is an American media executive. He is the co-founder and former CEO of Democracy Radio, an organization that created and produced progressive talk radio shows that included The Ed Schultz Show and The Stephanie Miller Show. After his tenure at Democracy Radio, he joined Air America Radio as Executive Vice President for Programming. Athans was married to U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow from 2003 to 2010.

References

  1. ↑ Hinds, Julie (November 30, 2003). "The left side of the dial: Democracy Radio, run by Debbie Stabenow's husband, seeks live-wire liberal personalities to balance the conservative airwaves". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on December 6, 2003. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  2. ↑ Rutenberg, Jim (January 1, 2003). "Outflanked Democrats Wonder How to Catch Up in Media Wars". The New York Times. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  3. ↑ McClintock, Pamela (January 29, 2003). "Dems rush to make up talk-radio ground". Variety. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  4. ↑ Connelly, Joel (February 2, 2005). "In the Northwest: Liberal voices turning up the volume on the radio". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on March 8, 2005. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  5. ↑ Kurtz, Howard (January 10, 2005). "A Voice From Above, And to the Left". The Washington Post. p. C01. Archived from the original on April 21, 2005. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  6. ↑ Posner, Sarah (January 11, 2005). "Ed-ifying Talk Radio". The Gadflyer. Archived from the original on April 27, 2005. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Miller Is New Progressive Talk Host". Radio World. September 6, 2004. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Randy Michaels and Stu Krane buy The Ed Schultz Show". Radio Business Report. June 9, 2005. Archived from the original on May 2, 2007. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  9. ↑ Athans, Tom. "Dear Friends and Supporters". Democracy Radio. Archived from the original on November 24, 2005. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  10. ↑ "WYD Buys Full Interest In Miller Show". All Access. November 18, 2005. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.