Quad Cities (Illinois) talk radio making left turn starting Monday

Starting next week, right-wing conservative commentators will have some contrary competition on area radio. A progressive talk station featuring Air America's Al Franken, Janeanne Garofalo, Randi Rhodes and more will debut at 5 a.m. Monday on WKBF-AM 1270, formerly Classic Country 1270.

"The Quad-Cities has been clamoring for a new talk radio station like this, and we think (Progressive Talk 1270) will satisfy that need," said Rod Evans, program director for the station. "We are excited about coming to the heart of the Midwest," said Jon Sinton, president of Air America Radio. "This area now has an opportunity to voice its local and national concerns."

The 24-hour syndicated chat outlet kicks off its day with Air America's a.m. show "Morning Sedition" from 5 to 8 a.m., followed by Stephanie Miller from 8 to 11 a.m., Al Franken from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ed Shultz from 2 to 5 p.m., Randi Rhodes from 5 to 6 p.m., "The Majority Report" with Janeanne Garofalo from 6 to 9 p.m., and Lionel from 9 p.m. to midnight. Repeats of the day's highlights will run from midnight to 5 a.m.

"I think it's going to be a very successful station," said general manager Larry Rosmilso, who also heads local Clear Channel stations Q106, WLLR-FM, Mix 96, All Hit 98.9, KUUL-FM, Sports Talk 1230 and conservative talk station WOC-AM 1420. "Right now, progressive is the hottest thing in talk radio. Most markets where progressive talk has gone on, it's found a very strong niche."

. . .

"This market is predominantly a Democratic market, especially in Illinois," he said. "We did some research and found out a lot of people in this market wanted this --- both advertisers and listeners. "We're finding that progressive stations are pulling in the younger demographics that the right wing stations do not," he added. "So this gives the market an opportunity to have a voice for the younger people on talk radio, rather than it just being for the older listeners."

http://qconline.com/archives/qco/sections.cgi?prcss=display&id=236593

It's always annoyed me how rightwingers had a stranglehold on radio in the bluest of blue areas.. I guess "green" finally won out :)

and to have it be a Country station that switched is doubly delicious:)

Some of the previous listeners will swallow their wads of chewin' tobacco when they hear about this. Heh.

Is Quad Cities a city, or does it refer to four of them? And are they anywhere near Chicago?

"This market is predominantly a Democratic market, especially in Illinois...We did some research and found out a lot of people in this market wanted this--both advertisers and listeners..."
You JUST figured all of that out? Don't insult me. You're Clear Channel--you've been IGNORING Democratic markets not because you didn't think they were profitable, BUT BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE LIBERALS A VOICE!!!

:headbang:
rocknation

...Tom Hanks said that in a movie. I thought that was pretty funny.

The Quad Cities are four cities that are close together:
Davenport, Iowa
Rock Island, Illinois
Bettendorf, Iowa
Moline, Illinois

I'm pretty sure those are correct. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Are Moline il, bettendorf ia and two others I can't think of right now, North West Illinois on the Mississippi River, Oh yeah, Davenport ia too.

Actually, a good strategy by Clear Channel. Money making left stations will be used to prop up the money losing right stations.

:woohoo:

Moline and Rock Island,Illinois & Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa

I live in Illinois and work in Davenport. Where are all of the "Blue" Eastern Iowans? I am surrounded by Repubs at every turn at my place of employment!

Jenn

I and a lot of my friends I've just been talking to at my old school there at University of Iowa are excited about picking up this station! University of Iowa is as blue an area as they come around there! Someone told me it's one of the highest per capita gay areas in the whole midwest and certainly is one of the most educated per capita areas. It also has a pretty big art school and world reknowned writer's workshop too. Lotta progressives there! They'll definitely have a bunch of eastern Iowans tuning in from there! Al Franken had congressman Jim Leach from that area on as his guest once whom he called on of the few Republicans he respected.

I listen to Quad Cities radio often.

There are a lot of Democrats in the Quad City area. They have a Democratic congressman there. The 17th District Democratic Committee is very active. Our county committee coordinates several activities with them.

This is great news.

Hot Damn!

Lucky you. I'd have to break the Laws of Physics to hear 'em....

Someday, we'll break one of our locals away from "All Bob Seegar, All the Time".

OK, that's not fair, they DO play a LOT of Van Halen, too. (it's like being stuck in 1980 around here)

5000 Watts, non-directional Daytime, directional night.

Day-time:


and Night-time:


No joy for us Hoosiers...

Co-channel interference from 1270's in Elkhart IN and Charleston, IL...

find that map?

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/home
Powerful resource for radio hobbyists!

switching to AAR.

I am so excited! Living in the QC area after 28 years in Colorado, I have felt I am in the only "red" pocket of the area. Having Air America for my reality checks will be so comforting, refreshing and reconfirming.:bounce:

Jenn

I recently started hearing Air America all the time after getting our satellite radio. It's like HEAVEN. You won't want to go to sleep!

It's like water in the desert to a dying man, and I'm not kidding.
Help is on the way!

St Louis County and St Louis City both went Democratic in November!

This is great! Now I have something to listen to on the way!

lucky dogs

Lucky QCers. Des Moines suffers from massive doses of Dr. Laura, Rush, Savage, and Hannity. That and the bazillion religious stations that pop up on a daily basis. Crossing my fingers that we'll get something before the 2006 elections.

You deserve it there in Obamaland! :thumbsup:

he was a hot comoddity in chicago for years until the right wing bought his network and dumped him for right wing propaganda..what are theyafraid of with mike..?? that he would be too powerful and popular??

come on chicago network ..run malloy!!

fly

Cheers!