For over two years now, I have enjoyed listening to the Boston-area radio stations WKOX-AM (1200) and WXKS-AM (1430) as they carried 24-hour Progressive Talk shows from both Air America Radio and also The Jones Radio network.
Their combined format included the shows: Stephanie Miller, Al Franken, Randy Rhodes, Ed Shultz, Ring Of Fire (Robert Kennedy Jr.), Sam Seder, Rachel Maddow, and others.
Not only was this lineup fabulous (and very entertaining), but it really was like an oasis in a world otherwise filled with the desert of vile-extreme-right-wing hatred and blatantly false War-Mongering propaganda throughout, not just radio, but all forms of society (Radio, TV, News Magazines, etc. - including PBS). I relied on WKOX-AM 1200 a.k.a. "Boston Progressive Talk" to find out the real scoop, and what was going down, and to boost my spirits in times of dispair and isolation about what has been going on in out Country for the past seven disgusting years.
These two stations in fact, were the sole and only "progressive" or even "moderate" talk radio of any kind to be found anywhere on the radio dial in the State of Massachusetts (supposedly a "Blue" State and the one State that was smart enough to vote for George McGovern).
This was my source of information, for example, as I listened to Election results during 2004 and 2006, where I knew I would not be lied to. Moreover, a lot of these shows were just fun and very informative and served as excellant illustrations of just how Democratic Candidates should be framing issues and defining the political dialog in this Country for themselves ( instead of passively letting the GOP/right-wingers create the "terminology" and define all the issues to their benefit and then just react to it after-the-fact or play dead and just capitulate to it ). My only complaint was that the Radio station signal strength was weak (only 10,000 watts) and the night time reception was not very good. Assurances were made over the years by WKOX-AM and WXKS-AM that they would be upgrading their wattage power.
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Suddenly, without any reason given or justification, Boston Talk Radio has been permantly taken off the airwaves altogether and replaced by full time "Latin Music" programming.
There is no more progressive talk radio now anywhere to be found in Massachusetts. It's gone!
A recent article from the Boston Globe had only this to say about it:
Fans of "Boston's Progressive Talk Radio" will have to find another outlet. Goodbye Air America, hello "Rumba." Thursday at noon, Clear Channel stations WKOX-AM (1200) and WXKS-AM (1430) will switch from "Boston's Progressive Talk" to "La Nueva Rumba," both simulcasting a "tropical" format of primarily Spanish-language announcers and music, ranging from salsa, merengue, and bachata to the contemporary sound of reggaeton. Although Clear Channel representatives are not discussing details, the national radio group, which has been selling stations across the country, acknowledges that the two local AMs that carry Air America and related programming -- WXKS-AM (1430) and WKOX-AM (1200) changed. Clear Channel vice president of programming "Cadillac Jack" McCartney acknowledged this week that Air America "is history."
- Boston Globe
Now I know that Air America itself had financial problems, but the ratings of "progressive talk" were very good and this lineup also had included nationally syndicated shows like Ed Shultz, Randy Rhodes, and Stephie Miller that were not directly affiliated with "Air America" and are successful in many parts fo the Country.
This change coincidentally came just as these radio stations finally announced that they would indeed boost their signal strength (after delaying for two years) to 50,000 watts. I guess it was only okay for Clear Channel to broadcast "progressive talk" if only very few people were within range to even hear it.
What does this say about the state of America, when in a "Blue" state, all progressive radio is shut down and terminated and only the "Sean Hannitys" and "Limbaughs" are allowed to air radio shows?
Does anybody know any more information about this?
Or, better yet, how to get Boston Progressive Radio back on the airwaves?
I didn't know Massachusetts was the new "Iron Curtin" but I feel as if a large lifeline has just been stripped away from me.