Updates on a new morning show and many new markets after the jump!
Stephanie Miller
Stephanie Miller, a liberal comedian who has previously hosted radio shows in New York and Los Angeles and has also hosted
I've Got a Secret on the Oxygen cable network, is getting a nationally syndicated morning show with Jones Radio, the same company that's syndicating the Ed Schultz Show. Check out her newly updated website
here, or read an old article about one of her LA shows
here. No word on what markets she might get clearance in, or whether Clear Channel is planning on replacing Air America's underperforming morning lineup with her show on stations that carry the "Progressive Talk" brand (like Miami and Portland).
Chicago
There's a lot of talk about Air America coming to Chicago. A Tribune columnist speculates "in a hint-hint sort of way" that a local Democratic fundraiser and owner of several local radio stations will bring Air America back to town. Others, however, are hinting about Clear Channel continuing in Chicago its trend of replacing lower-rated AM stations with Air America programming.
Atlanta
Franken on his show, as well as Air America president Jon Sinton to the media, have confirmed that Air America is coming to Atlanta, but they haven't named the station. Clear Channel does own a couple low-rated talk stations in the market, however.
Twin Cities
Air America is expanding its coverage in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market. JR Broadcasting airs most of Air America, plus Ed Schultz and local liberal Wendy Wilde on WMIN 740 and KSMM 1530. Recently, they announced buying KSNB 950 from Infinity Radio, and plan to add the same lineup to that station.
San Diego
Expect Clear Channel's KPOP 1360 to flip to "Progressive Talk" on Monday the 23rd, after being delayed from an original launch date of this Monday, the 16th.
Denver
Randi Rhodes said on the air that Air America is coming to Denver. No word on the station, but Clear Channel does own a couple low-rated AM stations in the market.
Oregon
The FCC's website shows that 620 KPOJ in Portland has been granted its request to increase power from 5,000 to 25,000 watts in the daytime, and from 5,000 to 10,000 at night. This should mean it will be able to be heard as far south as Eugene, and, because it's at such a low frequency, could quite possibly have the best signal in the entire state.
Elsewhere
There are more key markets coming soon, but right now I've got little more than Internet gossip in terms of details. I'll keep you posted when I hear more.