Philadelphia station adds Al Franken and Randi Rhodes

[TrueAmerican]

Air America is joining Phila.'s radio lineup

By Michael Klein

Inquirer Staff Writer


Air America, the liberal talk-radio network, has secured a Philadelphia affiliate to carry two shows representing nearly half its broadcast day.

Starting Monday, WHAT-AM (1340) will add Al Franken (noon to 3 p.m.) and Randi Rhodes (3 to 7 p.m.).

The move will trim the final hour from Mary Mason's morning show; she will air from 6 to 9 a.m. Thera Martin-Connelly will move from afternoons to late mornings (9 a.m. to noon). Syndicated host Bev Smith will remain at 7 to 10 p.m. Reggie Bryant will move from middays to the 10 p.m.-to-1 a.m. shift.

The 1,000-watt WHAT bills itself as the voice of the African American community. Station manager Kernie Anderson said the notion that Franken's and Rhodes' focuses are "nonblack is not significant to me... . We're committed to the African American community... and there's no abandonment of our mission."


http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/9518877.htm