This just in...
(AP) New York: Story by Pat O'Callaghan
America's sole outlet for progressive radio, the Fair America Network (FAN), announced today that, despite over $12M in operating losses for the month of December '06, the network will continue its programming schedule as is, and believes that profitability remains just around the corner.
Fair America began broadcasting on May 1st of 2005 with a stated goal of complete saturation of the 125 largest US markets within 4 months. FAN's chief executive officer and primary investor, Sir Marc Allen Cohn, declared at the time that FAN would follow the first rule of Hollywood, and attempt to make a profit while at the same time providing quality progressive radio to the nation.
From its first hour on the air, Fair America has seen its share of poor luck and bad timing.
During a commercial break on May 1st, "AM Napkins and Scraps" host Jon Caron shrieked, "Everything I wrote for today is gone!" into a live microphone. Realizing his frustration had been heard by millions of listeners, a frantic Caron declared , "I'm so embarrassed you could knock me over with a feather!"
The premiere of Buckethead Malmsteen's 2-4 PM show, "The Buckethead Malmsteen Show, starring Buckethead", faired little better. The opinionated host got into a shouting match with guest Al Gore over how the former V.P. should be addressed. Mr. Gore requested to be called "The Man Who Should Be President", while Malmsteen chose the term "Big Al." Neither would gave in, and the former Vice President of the United States hung up on Buckethead.
Another early controversy concerned the choice of a Fair America network slogan. Three were considered: 1) "FAN: Some of the loudest radio in America." 2) "You listen. We decide." and 3) "We offer wisdom, stupid." A vote was taken at end of the second week of operations, with investors receiving 3 points for each vote, management 2, and salaried employees .5. The final tally resulted in a dark horse candidate, "Fair America: Advertise with Us!", winning.
When that advertising revenue failed to meet expectations, and with expenses mounting, FAN's lead attorney (and former Clinton aide) Peter von Gootfreund became frustrated with Sir Marc and his blunt style of management. Von Gootfreund further claimed to be "shocked, simply shocked" upon learning that funds had been taken from employee salaries and medical benefits to pay Sir Marc's Jeep Liberty rental fee. "There are human beings lives at stake here, dude." he exclaimed.
Throughout the tough times, though, morale at FAN didn't seem to waver. Mr. Caron was overheard several times telling callers to his show that "If we win this election, I will walk around laughing. Tie or loss, I'll shutup." And in early 2005, Sir Marc announced that "The world is teetering on the edge. If we don't find some cash very soon, George Bush and his buddies at the Pentagon are going to run roughshod over the entire planet. We've got to stop that before it begins to happen, dammit."
Financial consultant/ex-comedian Bert Stein, who worked for FAN for its first two years, when asked recently about the trustworthiness of FAN CEO Cohn and lead attorney von Gootfreund, said "I wouldn't buy a dollar bill from them for five quarters."
Though its difficulties are myriad, Fair America Network remains one of the U.S. bright lights of reason. They just need to keep paying the electric bill.
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"Left of the Dial" DVD now available with every 'Pent Premium 36 month subscription. Tell your friends!
America's sole outlet for progressive radio, the Fair America Network (FAN), announced today that, despite over $12M in operating losses for the month of December '06, the network will continue its programming schedule as is, and believes that profitability remains just around the corner.
Fair America began broadcasting on May 1st of 2005 with a stated goal of complete saturation of the 125 largest US markets within 4 months. FAN's chief executive officer and primary investor, Sir Marc Allen Cohn, declared at the time that FAN would follow the first rule of Hollywood, and attempt to make a profit while at the same time providing quality progressive radio to the nation.
From its first hour on the air, Fair America has seen its share of poor luck and bad timing.
During a commercial break on May 1st, "AM Napkins and Scraps" host Jon Caron shrieked, "Everything I wrote for today is gone!" into a live microphone. Realizing his frustration had been heard by millions of listeners, a frantic Caron declared , "I'm so embarrassed you could knock me over with a feather!"
The premiere of Buckethead Malmsteen's 2-4 PM show, "The Buckethead Malmsteen Show, starring Buckethead", faired little better. The opinionated host got into a shouting match with guest Al Gore over how the former V.P. should be addressed. Mr. Gore requested to be called "The Man Who Should Be President", while Malmsteen chose the term "Big Al." Neither would gave in, and the former Vice President of the United States hung up on Buckethead.
Another early controversy concerned the choice of a Fair America network slogan. Three were considered: 1) "FAN: Some of the loudest radio in America." 2) "You listen. We decide." and 3) "We offer wisdom, stupid." A vote was taken at end of the second week of operations, with investors receiving 3 points for each vote, management 2, and salaried employees .5. The final tally resulted in a dark horse candidate, "Fair America: Advertise with Us!", winning.
When that advertising revenue failed to meet expectations, and with expenses mounting, FAN's lead attorney (and former Clinton aide) Peter von Gootfreund became frustrated with Sir Marc and his blunt style of management. Von Gootfreund further claimed to be "shocked, simply shocked" upon learning that funds had been taken from employee salaries and medical benefits to pay Sir Marc's Jeep Liberty rental fee. "There are human beings lives at stake here, dude." he exclaimed.
Throughout the tough times, though, morale at FAN didn't seem to waver. Mr. Caron was overheard several times telling callers to his show that "If we win this election, I will walk around laughing. Tie or loss, I'll shutup." And in early 2005, Sir Marc announced that "The world is teetering on the edge. If we don't find some cash very soon, George Bush and his buddies at the Pentagon are going to run roughshod over the entire planet. We've got to stop that before it begins to happen, dammit."
Financial consultant/ex-comedian Bert Stein, who worked for FAN for its first two years, when asked recently about the trustworthiness of FAN CEO Cohn and lead attorney von Gootfreund, said "I wouldn't buy a dollar bill from them for five quarters."
Though its difficulties are myriad, Fair America Network remains one of the U.S. bright lights of reason. They just need to keep paying the electric bill.
=====================================
"Left of the Dial" DVD now available with every 'Pent Premium 36 month subscription. Tell your friends!
posted by joe sweeney at 6:38 AM
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