USA: Air America keeps WWRL (1600 AM)

By David Hinckley DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Updated Monday, September 28th 2009, 1:01 PM

Costanza for News

Air America's New York offices. The progressive radio network announced that it is staying with

The progressive radio network Air America announced this morning it is sticking  with WWRL (1600 AM) as its New  York affiliate. 
 
Under the contract extension, terms of which were not disclosed, WWRL will  continue to carry three Air America programs: the Rachel Maddow show, 5-6 a.m., "Montel [Williams]  Across America," 3-6 p.m., and "The Ron Reagan Show," 6-8 p.m. 
 
Other Air America hosts can be heard over satellite radio or at www.airamerica.com.
 
Air America, which has had trouble getting its programming on powerful  stations in major markets, has devoted considerable resources to strengthening  its Web site and promoting alternate delivery methods and platforms like  podcasting and cell phones. 
 
Progressive radio talk in general, while it has made some inroads the last  few years, still lags well behind conservative talk radio in listenership. 
 
WWRL, an independent black-owned station that has also struggled in the tough  economy the last couple of years, has its own hosts the rest of the day,  including Daily News columnist Errol Louis in the morning, Stephanie Miller at 11 a.m. and Ed Schultz, noon-3 p.m. 
 
Bill Hess, senior vice president of programming at  Air America, said the WWRL deal makes sense for both parties. 
 
"Making sure our listeners in the New York area continue to have access to  their favorite Air America programming was a key goal of our conversations with  our friends at WWRL," said Hess. " 'The Ron Reagan Show's' growth in New York  has been explosive, and the opportunities to continue the success of both Montel  and Rachel make this a strong package for both the network and WWRL."  

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/09/28/2009-09-28_air_america_keeps_wwrl_as_its_new_york_.html