Democracy Radio
Encyclopedia
Democracy Radio was an organization founded in 2002 by Tom Athans
and Paul Fiddick dedicated to creating political balance on America's commercial radio airwaves. The concept was to develop and incubate progressive oriented talk programming and enlist radio networks to market the programs to stations around the country. Democracy Radio developed and produced talk shows that launched the national careers of Ed Schultz
and Stephanie Miller
, among others.
In 2003, Democracy Radio recruited its first talk show
host - Ed Schultz
from KFGO
in Fargo, North Dakota
. "The Ed Schultz Show
" was launched January 4, 2004. Democracy Radio retained Jones Radio Networks
to handle affiliate relations and advertising sales. The show became a quick success, as it grew to over 100 stations and 8 of the top 10 markets since its debut.
On June 8, 2005, Democracy Radio sold its stake in The Ed Schultz Show to a new company headed by veteran radio executive Randy Michaels
, the former CEO of Clear Channel Radio
. Michaels had previously played a featured role in Rush Limbaugh
's syndication success. The company stated their intention was to return to its core mission of nurturing up-and-coming radio talent.
The company followed the success of Schultz' show by launching its second syndicated effort. In September 2004, veteran radio and television host Stephanie Miller
debuted her new show, also syndicated by Jones.
In November 2005, Democracy Radio's partner in The Stephanie Miller Show, WYD Media headed by radio industry veteran Ron Hartenbaum, purchased Democracy Radio's shares and assumed sole ownership of the venture.
In January 2005, the company launched its first local program, the Nancy Skinner Show, on WDTW
in Detroit, Michigan
.
Democracy Radio helped to develop new radio shows concurrently with the rise of another similar venture, Air America Radio
, which created an entire radio network of left-leaning talk shows. As the goal of Democracy Radio was to help grow the format and to develop new talk shows, the company encouraged Air America's success.
On November 4, 2005, Athans announced on the company's website that he would be joining the management team of Air America, effectively shutting down Democracy Radio. He felt that the combined efforts of the two organizations would make the format much more viable in the future.
Tom Athans
Tom Athans is a media entrepreneur and a notable member of the Democratic Party from the state of Michigan. He is widely considered the originator of the progressive talk radio format in the United States...
and Paul Fiddick dedicated to creating political balance on America's commercial radio airwaves. The concept was to develop and incubate progressive oriented talk programming and enlist radio networks to market the programs to stations around the country. Democracy Radio developed and produced talk shows that launched the national careers of Ed Schultz
Ed Schultz
Edward Andrew "Ed" Schultz Is an American television and radio host and a liberal political commentator . He is the host of The Ed Show, a daily news talk program on MSNBC, and The Ed Schultz Show, a talk radio show, nationally syndicated by Dial Global, promising "straight talk."-Early...
and Stephanie Miller
Stephanie Miller
Stephanie Catherine Miller is an American comedienne and host of The Stephanie Miller Show, a progressive talk radio program produced in Los Angeles and syndicated nationally by Dial Global. Talkers magazine ranked her as the 24th most important radio talk show host in America for 2010.-Early...
, among others.
In 2003, Democracy Radio recruited its first talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
host - Ed Schultz
Ed Schultz
Edward Andrew "Ed" Schultz Is an American television and radio host and a liberal political commentator . He is the host of The Ed Show, a daily news talk program on MSNBC, and The Ed Schultz Show, a talk radio show, nationally syndicated by Dial Global, promising "straight talk."-Early...
from KFGO
KFGO
KFGO is a radio station broadcasting a news and talk radio format serving the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by Radio Fargo-Moorhead, Inc. All the offices and studios are located at 1020 S. 25th Street in Fargo...
in Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
. "The Ed Schultz Show
The Ed Schultz Show
The Ed Schultz Show is a radio program hosted by Ed Schultz. It was formerly broadcast from KFGO in Fargo, North Dakota. It is heard on a network of over 100 stations , including seven of the 10 largest radio markets...
" was launched January 4, 2004. Democracy Radio retained Jones Radio Networks
Jones Radio Networks
Jones Radio Networks & Jones Media Group were branches of Jones International before being sold to Triton Media Group. JRN and JMN provide local radio stations with satellite-delivered formats. They also offer other services to local radio such as news and talk programs, syndicated radio shows,...
to handle affiliate relations and advertising sales. The show became a quick success, as it grew to over 100 stations and 8 of the top 10 markets since its debut.
On June 8, 2005, Democracy Radio sold its stake in The Ed Schultz Show to a new company headed by veteran radio executive Randy Michaels
Randy Michaels
Randy Michaels is an American broadcasting executive and a member of the National Association of Broadcasters TV Board.Randy Michaels has been involved in large market radio broadcasting since the early 1970s, first in front of the mike as evening personality at adult contemporary WGR in Buffalo...
, the former CEO of Clear Channel Radio
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
. Michaels had previously played a featured role in Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
's syndication success. The company stated their intention was to return to its core mission of nurturing up-and-coming radio talent.
The company followed the success of Schultz' show by launching its second syndicated effort. In September 2004, veteran radio and television host Stephanie Miller
Stephanie Miller
Stephanie Catherine Miller is an American comedienne and host of The Stephanie Miller Show, a progressive talk radio program produced in Los Angeles and syndicated nationally by Dial Global. Talkers magazine ranked her as the 24th most important radio talk show host in America for 2010.-Early...
debuted her new show, also syndicated by Jones.
In November 2005, Democracy Radio's partner in The Stephanie Miller Show, WYD Media headed by radio industry veteran Ron Hartenbaum, purchased Democracy Radio's shares and assumed sole ownership of the venture.
In January 2005, the company launched its first local program, the Nancy Skinner Show, on WDTW
WDTW (AM)
WDTW is a Detroit-area radio station, operating at 1310 kHz with 5,000 watts. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications and airs mostly syndicated progressive talk radio programs....
in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
.
Democracy Radio helped to develop new radio shows concurrently with the rise of another similar venture, Air America Radio
Air America Radio
Air America was an American radio network specializing in progressive talk programming...
, which created an entire radio network of left-leaning talk shows. As the goal of Democracy Radio was to help grow the format and to develop new talk shows, the company encouraged Air America's success.
On November 4, 2005, Athans announced on the company's website that he would be joining the management team of Air America, effectively shutting down Democracy Radio. He felt that the combined efforts of the two organizations would make the format much more viable in the future.