Thanks to the diarists here and here who wrote about the dastardly plans to change Seattle's AM1090 Progressive Talk to a sports format in January 2013 -- next month!
This is really bad news to anyone in the region who has counted on AM1090 for its daily dose of information, entertainment, sanity and sass.
Silence is compliance. How's about some a-c-t-i-o-n?
Follow us below the squiggly for important linkies and other ways you can help let the suits at CBS know we’re not going down without making some noise. Dammit.
Sign this petition on Change.org.
“Like” the Facebook page to Keep Progressive Talk AM1090 in Seattle
Call AM 1090's comment line: 1 (877) 753-1090
Email the program director: carey.curelop@cbsradio.com
Write a letter:
KPTK 1090 AM
1000 Dexter Avenue North, Suite 100
Seattle, WA 98109
Also get the word out to the corporate HQ:
CBS RADIO
1271 Avenue of the Americas FL 44
New York, NY 10020
(212) 649-9600
Thanks to Democratic Underground for some of the above info.
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Shirley Thorn, CBS Radio Account Executive, chalked up the change to declining revenues and a "decreased listener base.” It's important to note, however, that Seattle already has at least FOUR sports stations. Not like they're walking into an easy sell.
Those of us with a more conspiratorial bent to our psyche (Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t out to get you) cite a disturbing trend of left-leaning formats disappearing in progressive cities despite healthy revenues and an energetic, engaged listener base. “Some people” might find the cancellations of progressive talk stations in two extremely liberal markets (Seattle and Portland) after the re-election of President Obama a tad suspicious. Just sayin’.
On a personal note, this really makes me sad -- I remember the dark old days before Progressive Radio when Cheney/W was in charge and, even though I had moved to Seattle, it was easy to feel like a lonely little leftie in a wingnut wilderness.
On March 31, 2004 I cried like a baby when Al Franken broadcast his first show on Air America. It was a welcome breath of sanity in a medium toxic with extreme rightwing bile and hate.
Progressive Radio is still vital to communicating actual facts and informing the public on key issues. At the very least, I'm hoping we can get the AM1090 lineup carried on other stations. We cannnot go down without a fight. Thank you.
For anyone interested, here are a couple of background articles:
Background on the station
Article in Everett Post