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Air America Radio Makes Email Pitch for Cash
By Nathan Burchfiel
CNSNews.com Correspondent
September 26, 2005

(CNSNews.com) -- The liberal Air America Radio network this week announced the launch of a fundraising project to help its struggling programs expand into more markets.

In an e-mail to supporters, the network announced the Air America Associates program, which encourages donors to give $50, $100 or $250 to the company.

"When we launched the Air America Radio network one year ago," the e-mail states, "the country was being talked to death by conservative zealots like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly and others."

Since its launch in March 2004, Air America has expanded from 16 stations to 70 stations, and states in the e-mail that it now covers 60 percent of the U.S. media market.

"To continue this great success story and start shaping the national debate the way that Right Wing talk radio does every day," the e-mail explains, "we've got to reach into every community in this country. We know we can't achieve this next stage of growth without significant help from you, our loyal listeners."

Air America donors receive bumper stickers and tote bags, depending on the amount of their donation. They will also receive a subscription to a newsletter from the network.

The network recently came under fire for a financial scandal that ended with the network agreeing to repay more than $875,000 to the Gloria Wise Boys & Girls Club in New York.

Ratings for Air America programs, such as the one anchored by comedian Al Franken, remain low compared with the conservative-themed offerings from Limbaugh and Hannity. In New York City, the number one radio market in the country and where Air America broadcasts on WLIB, ratings have slipped in the past year.

In this age of the Internet, program subscriptions are not uncommon in talk radio. Limbaugh's faithful "dittoheads" can spend $49.95 for a one-year subscription to the "Rush 24/7" club, which allows customers access to audio and video streams of his show

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