Clear Channel Adds Franken, Air America in Washington

Washington is getting a liberal voice on the radio.
Air America will air on Clear Channel’s WRC(AM) starting Jan. 20, the Washington Post reported; it also says it has re-signed Al Franken to a multiyear contract, raised $13 million in more financing and named Rob Glaser, chief executive of RealNetworks, as chairman. Air America has affiliations now in 40 cities.
WRC will drop its sports talk programming. Clear Channel also owns a more conservatively programmed station, WTNT, in the market; Don Imus will be heard on both. Franken’s show will compete in DC against Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly on other outlets, the Post reported.
Separately, Jones Radio Networks said WRC also will use its Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller in its progressive talk format, Schultz from 3 to 6 p.m. and Miller 9 a.m. to noon.
Air America, meantime, also said the new contract for Franken “douses speculation” that he might run for a Senate seat from Minnesota in 2006.